All year I always put "if they stay healthy" on the end of my answer to the question, "how will the Eagles do this year". I'm starting to be concerned that the Birds might not be able to stay healthy.
At the start of camp all the talk was about Donovan McNabb and his knee. Everybody knows he's coming back from knee surgery. Donovan has done everything they've asked so far and only took a couple of practices off. It seems to be a certainty that McNabb will play in the pre-season and be ready for the opener. Donovan is the only QB on their roster who can make the spectacular play. They can't beat the qualtiy teams without McNabb.
The guy considered to be one of the top guards in the game, Shawn Andrews, has missed most of the training camp because of a sprained ankle. The Eagles don't have the same physical running game without "Big Shawn" at the right guard position. The ankle that's bothering Shawn is the same one he shattered during his rookie season. The surgeons inserted a steel plate in that ankle and he seems to have soreness in that area. The Birds can't pound the ball the way they did a year ago if Andrews can't play. Andy would be tempted to go back to that pass-happy offense.
Andy Reid gave Jeremiah Trotter the day off yesterday so he could rest his legs abit. Trot is playing on a knee that couldn't pass a medical exam. The knee has held up thus far but there's no guarantee it will hold up throughout the season. Jeremiah was seemed to be laboring during the afternoon practices. Trot can be a force against the run but he's somewhat a liability versus the pass. If he is sidelined at all this year it could make stopping the run even more difficult. Gaither is younger with fresher legs but he doesn't have enough rocks in his pockets.
Brian Dawkins hasn't done a thing with the Birds during this training camp. Not only hasn't he done anything during training camp, Dawk didn't participate in any of the team's off season workouts because of the premature birth of his twins. Dawk is suffering from Achilles tendon problems. I've seen players who were bothered by Achilles problems wind up tearing the tendon. Dawkins has been running sprints after practice but has yet to participate in any drills. The Eagles can't afford to play without him. They're not the same team when number twenty is not in uniform.
Defensive end Jevon Kearse is coming back from a knee injury. He's the Eagles number one pass rusher and was severely missed when he suffered the knee injury in last season's second game. Right now the Birds seem to have depth on the defensive line but if Kearse goes down the depth would be greatly reduced.
L.J. Smith has done very little at this training camp because he's recovering from sports hernia surgery. Smith is by far the fastest tight end on the football team. He's also the best blocker on the squad. The Birds won't have as many weapons if L.J. isn't able to return to action full time.
I haven't even mentioned Brian Westbrook and his sore knee, or William Thomas who's recovering from knee surgery.
I think this team has Super Bowl talent but they're being held together by a thin thread. As good as this team looks now,an injury here or there could change things quickly.
