Overrated/Underrated Eagles

Overrated

DeSean Jackson– I’m not really sure what to expect as maximum production at this point.  His status as a punt returner has more to do with the ability of other guys stepping up.  There goes one major category, a once “Pro-Bowl” category that helped D-Jax cash in a big boy contract.  Cobb, Harvin, Wallace, Amendola and even Tavan Austin are all similar style players, all to whom I’d put on the field at this point prior to DeSean.  Is he still a game-changer?   Was simply being set-up to fail by Andy Reid’s decision to send him on non-stop go-routes off easy to predict play-action by the quarterback?  I can’t see this guy topping out at more than 60 receptions, 1050 yards and 6 touchdowns.  Does that really command the game-day paychecks he takes to the bank?

Todd Herremans– Maybe he will return to form at his natural “guard” position.  At tackle last year, he got beat by smaller, quicker guys.  Did the loss of Peters and Kelce hurt; of course it did.  At the same time, the huge contract that was awarded to Herremans for his ability to play both guard and tackle at a high level, looked to be money questionably spent during his time on the field last year before the injury.  I like Herremans, he is a solid veteran for this team, but he needs to step up his game and return to the 2011 form.

Michael Vick– Somehow people still believe that his ability to out-run teammates in gym-shorts and throw the ball fast and far translates to being the best player for Chip Kelly to go with as the Eagles signal caller.  His resume in Atlanta, the monster game versus the Redskins on prime-time television, they are conversation reflectors, not conversation starters.  He can’t read defenses, he can’t minimize turnovers.  He simply can’t be mentioned as one of the top dual threats at the quarterback position with the youth movement that has him looking like an old man in his early 30’s.  Let him hold a clipboard or fail expectations for another team; it’s time to move on!

Bryce Brown-Fans at one point last season were talking about the value they could get in return for trading McCoy as Brown amassed huge rushing games versus horrible run defenses in Carolina and Dallas.  40 rushes for 76 yards (less than 2 yards per carry) were his statistics over the course of the final four games after the back-to back games that caught the eyes of fantasy football owners looking for waiver wire pick-ups.  He ran hard, but fumbled the ball way too often.  Brown will get his opportunities this year as Kelly loves to run the rock and behind a healthy offensive line; we will get see which is the true Bryce Brown.

Jason Avant- Somehow his willingness to block as a receiver which is his job and being one of the longest tenured Eagles has Avant still on this roster.  He is not “sure-handed” as many indicate, and he does absolutely nothing with the ball once he catches it.  I’d love to see Maclin in this role, DeSean do his thing stretching the field, and let Benn serve the purpose as our “bigger” wide-receiver.

 Underrated

Evan Mathis-Even with late round draft picks and practice squad talent around him, Mathis played really well last season.  Unless you really study film or keep an eye on what he does, nothing is really going to support my notion that he is under-rated.

Fletcher Cox-I’m not really sure many would consider what Fletcher did last year as a rookie season prior to sustaining the season ending injury to be under-rated talent.  I have him under-rated because I think this guy has the potential to see multiple Pro-Bowls and flirt with double digit sacks in a season.  He is going to play all over the defensive line this year, and make a huge statement to many NFL quarterbacks for many years to come.

Jason Peters-Arguably the best player on this roster.   His services were even a bigger loss last season than most anticipated.  With McCoy often looking for that cut-back option, he saw his yards per carry decrease by my more a full yard when rushing to the side of the field that #71 usually clears a path for.  Man I hope the Achilles is fully healed and stays healed.

Jason Kelce-He is extremely intelligent and makes all line members and skill players better with his ability to make the adjustments.   He is fast for a center, physical with finishing his blocks and deciphers the looks opposing defenses are showing.  I think the beard alone makes him underrated.

Duce Staley– I saw the same passion from Deuce as a coach last year when fumbling issues hampered the Eagles running backs as I witnessed during his very good career as an Eagle.  There is a reason he is still a member of the coaching staff when the majority of the 2012 names are on other clubs or out of the league.  The Eagles “will” be a top five running team this year, and you have to believe that Staley’s presence and tutelage plays a major factor in reaching such an achievement.