Looking Forward at a Post McNabb Era: Is Kevin Kolb the Answer?

In four to five years, the Eagles are going to need a well primed quarterback to be waiting in the wings. 2010 or 2011 may be the year to prepare by the draft.

Kevin Kolb has a good look about him under center and has also shown nice game-time execution. Along with his display of potential, Kolb has left an unsettling feeling with most observers by his cruelly highlighted performance against the Ravens.

He’s fighting the “spread offense conversion to pro-style” label. He’s fighting the University of Houston quarterback draft bust history label. He’s fighting time as McNabb’s career with the Eagles looks to be extended. 

Kolb has looked good in preseason, but really hasn’t looked like a franchise quarterback yet. That’s not to say that he can’t be—Kolb just needs more refinement through game-time experience.

The big problem is that Kolb may get a chance to compete for starting job with another franchise before the Eagles are ready for him. If the timing is right, Kolb may very well make the move.

The 2010 draft may be a good opportunity to sure up a competitive environment at reserve and future quarterback. There will be several good looking rookies who should be draft eligible.

Drafting a big name quarterback in 2010 is a bit squanderous and not likely, as the draftee would have to expect to sit for three to five seasons.

Nonetheless, the 2010 crop of quarterbacks run deep, and there will be a quality player available even in the second round.

Sam Bradford, Jevan Snead, and Tim Tebow will likely all be selected before the Eagles 2010 pick unless they trade up, which is unlikely.

Tebow could slip into the late first or second round and he would be a tempting pick if he had a more traditional NFL quarterback game. 

If Tebow were available, I think Reid might not take him—waiting for the second round to get a quarterback. Tebow has been a great college quarterback, but the doubt regarding his conversion to a pro style NFL quarterback makes him a risky pick in the first round.

I would rather see the Eagles select Colt McCoy (6’3″, 210 lbs) of Texas or Pat Devlin  (6’4″, 220 lbs) from Delaware (Transfer from Penn State). It is reasonable to assume that the Eagles will get an opportunity for either of these guys. They would be small projects that might not take poorly to the old pines for a few years.

There are many more unmentioned collegiate quarterbacks returning to school in 2009.  Expect plenty of surprises as these players move up and down the scout rankings.

The 2011 quarterback draft prospects are far too difficult to predict at this time, but the odds of having a quarterback that has the look of a Pat Devlin or Colt McCoy in the second round might be a stretch.

As far as free agency around 2013 or 2014 goes, who knows?

The Eagles are very lucky to have McNabb. He looks like he could play for another six or seven more years though he probably will not.

All things considered, it seems like the 2010 draft would be a good way to hedge the Eagles longer term bet at quarterback.

Stewart Bradley, Chris Gocong Lead Young Philadelphia Eagles Linebackers

It may not be the second coming of the “Gang Green” defense, but a group of largely under-the-radar defensive players look to emerge in 2009.  The Eagle linebackers held their own in 2008, but this season, they have their sights set on making game-changing plays. 

At times last season, the Eagle linebackers were maligned for failing to create turnovers and record sacks.  Bradley, Gocong, Gaither and Jordan only accounted for 5.5 sacks, 1 interception and 2 forced fumbles.   

Despite the lack of big play making, the Eagle linebackers were a big part of earning the third ranked overall defense.  In critical situations, they did what they had to do.

The primary role of Jimmy Johnson’s linebackers in 2009 was to provide support in coverage and run stop.  That’s really all they were asked to do and they pulled it off pretty well. 

The 4-3 defense designed by Jimmy Johnson looks to generate pressure from all angles.  The front four are expected to collapse the pocket with change up pressure and support from all areas of the secondary and linebacker groups.  The traditional linebacker pass rush is therefore a more shared duty with the secondary. 

Nonetheless, as these linebackers mature, expect them do a better job with more opportunities in getting to the quarterback and mixing it up with turnovers.

The linebacking crew is founded with two converted players in Chris Gocong and Stewart Bradley, both of whom figure to start in 2009 with little competition.

Gocong is a converted defensive end playing the hybrid role at strong side linebacker.  Bradley is an outside linebacker moving nicely to the inside.

Bradley and Gocong have adjusted pretty well and have consistently improved.  It’s time for them to step up to the next level: making more plays, forcing fumbles, intercepting passes, sacking the quarterback and not missing tackles if they are to sell the fans on their longevity as core players.

Both Bradley and Gocong are getting comfortable with their responsibilities and they are playing more instinctively. 

They are strong, reasonably fast, and explosive players who might end up being great linebackers that win some close games for the Eagles with a superior effort.

The weak-side linebacker position is set up as a contest between Omar Gaither and Akeem Jordan, with varying opinions as to who is the better player. 

If neither player looks like what the Eagles want when it’s go time, there must be an outside chance to see Bradley play the weak side with with Joe Mays playing middle.

 

Starting Middle Linebacker: Stewart Bradley

Stewart Bradley has the character the coaching staff looks for in a field leader.  They will be looking to him to step up into an administrative a motivational role player on the field.

As a player, Bradley is the best looking prospect out of the bunch, recording over 100 tackles in 2008.  Bradley is expected to make a bigger all-around contribution this season.  He just missed being a real Pro Bowl candidate in 2008. 

If he can generate a few turnovers and contribute with the same kind of heavy hitting as he did on Brandon Jacobs, Bradley may be Pro Bowl bound. 

If we have seen the best Bradley has to offer, he may someday switch to an outside linebacker position, as he is experienced in all three linebacker duties.

Overall, Bradley has good open-field running speed at 4.7-type 40-yard times, but his explosion is evident in his combine 20-yard shuttle time of 4.17 which would have ranked him second in the 2009 combine for linebackers, quicker than Clay Matthews, Brian Cushing, and Aaron Curry.  Bradley also showed athleticism with a 36-inch vertical leap.

At 6’4″ and 255 pounds, the 25-year-old Bradley has great size for a middle linebacker.  He plays with his heart as you would expect from a Nebraska product.  Philadelphia fans want an all-heart prototype at middle linebacker and Bradley fits the mold.  

Bradley had the only interception among linebackers in 2008 and one forced fumble.  The Eagles need three or four interceptions from him in 2009, along with two or three forced fumbles to make this defense realize the potential that appears to be there. 

 

Starting Strong Side Linebacker: Chris Gocong

Chris Gocong is expected to develop into a better pass rusher as the right outside linebacker and defensive end hybrid.

Gocong has had to work on his pass coverage and showed great improvement through the season.  Pass rushing, run stopping, and coverage are dynamically challenging for one person to master at this level. 

The expectations and need from Gocong is increasing his play making.  That’s the story of the linebackers.  More than looking for his first NFL interception, Gocong needs to get to the quarterback more than twice and force more than one fumble. 

Gocong did record his first NFL touchdown in 2008 when he recovered a fumble in the end zone against Dallas in their first meeting.

Gocong is a similar athlete to Bradley.  He’s a big linebacker at 6’2″, 263 pounds.  He also has average linebacker straight-line speed being in the 4.7 40 yard dash range. 

His explosion is evident with his 39-inch vertical leap which would surpass even the best mark in the 2009 draft by Aaron Curry at 38 inches. 

His 10′ 3″ broad jump would have tied him for second in this year’s combine just behind Curry again at 10′ 4″.  Gocong also ran a 4.08 20-yard shuttle that would have ranked him first among 2009 linebacker prospects.

Gocong was second to Gaither in sacks recorded last season with two.  He needs to put up seven to 10 sacks this season and jar the ball loose in the process.  An interception or two would be nice, but if he can get to the quarterback, he will be a success. 

 

Starting Weak Side Linebacker(s): Omar Gaither and Akeem Jordan

Gaither and Jordan are competing for the weak side.  Gaither started the season well, showing to be a better play maker, but Jordan was a quicker coverage backer and took the duties over.  When Jordan was injected, the defense looked better.

Jordan has run 40 times in the 4.6 to 4.7 range as compared to Gaither who has run more 4.7 to 4.8 times.  Last season the speed in coverage made a big difference in the defensive scheme. 

If Gocong can create pressure from the strong side, Jordan will work nicely in coverage on the weak side.

In order to lock the job up, Jordan will need to show he can make plays.  He recorded no sacks, no forced fumbles and no interceptions. 

What Jordan did well, was cover space and tight ends, recording 61 tackles in six starts with six stuffs for a loss.  That does not show up as well on SportsCenter, but it does the trick on the scoreboard.

Jordan did showed a nose for the football, recovering two fumbles, but he still needs to initiate some turnovers.  With a little less than half a season under his belt, I think we can expect Jordan to pick up his game this year.

Gaither looked like an emerging linebacker in 2007.  Although he started weak side in early 2008, he slipped out of favor for coverage concerns as Akeem Jordon took the job. 

Gaither led the team in sacks by a linebacker with two and half, despite only starting in 10 games.  He was also credited for a forced fumble.

Gaither is a quality football player and sure tackler.  He can line up in any position: weak, middle or strong.  He is strong enough and fast enough to compete.  Gaither can contribute on special teams as well.

 

Best Depth at Linebacker: Joe Mays

Mays has looked like a great middle linebacker in camp and preseason.  Undersized at 5’11” and 246 pounds, Mays didn’t get on the field with defensive unit.  He stood out as a special teams player.

Mays is a Philadelphia kind of player that just leaves it all out there on the field.  He plays without hesitation and explodes into the thick of things. 

I think the entire Philadelphia region would love to somehow see Mays get some more time without taking Bradley off of the field. 

Maybe a little stiff at times, like a body builder, Mays is still a very fun to watch “de-cleating” tackler.

 

Possible Linebacker Conversion: DE Bryan Smith

Bryan Smith is a very quick, but undersized at right end and the Eagles are loaded with defensive ends.  Last season’s third round draft choice might fit better if he can provide a depth option behind Gocong.

Smith has tried to put on mass, but weighed in last season at 245.  That’s a fantastic weight for a speedy pass rushing outside linebacker. 

He has 4.7-type 40-yard dash speed and incredible explosion.  Smith would make a nice edge rusher playing wide of Trent Cole. 

I have read reports that put Smith in the 4.5 40 yard dash range.  If that is true, he starts to like a Lawrence Taylor/Derrick Thomas prototype at right outside linebacker. 

Coming out of college, Bryan Smith was projected to be a converted outside linebacker.  He’s just not bulky enough to hold down an end position.  Smith is really looking like a project player for 2009 as he also has no experience at any linebacker position.

 

Seventh Round Rookie Draft Choice: LB Moise Fokou

Fokou is a solid weak side linebacker who will most likely be a practice squad candidate. He has the athletic measures to be a good linebacker at the NFL level, but will definitely need to bring something special to the field. 

If Fokou can generate turnovers in camp and preseason, the Eagles may take a chance on him.

He is a bit undersized at 6’1″ and only 233 pounds.  Moise is more realistically a project that needs to put on some size before he is ready for the NFL.

Fokou ran a 4.76 40 yard dash and made a 31″ vertical leap.  His explosion showed up with his impressive 10′ 1″ broad jump. 

He fared well in the 3-cone and shuttle drills, ranking top 10 among linebackers in both.  An injury hindered his bench work at the combine, but he lifted 225, 22 times, at his pro day.

Although he brought impressive energy to the field at Maryland, one of the proven special teams veterans will probably win a free linebacker spot before Fokou gets a shot.

 

Longshot Free Agent Linebacker: Charleston Hughes

Preliminarily a middle linebacker prospect, Hughes enjoyed a great 2008 season in the CFL after playing 2007 semi-pro football in Michigan.  It would be a tremendous opportunity for this young man to make a practice squad and someday earn the chance to play on Sunday in the NFL.

 

Special Teams Linebackers: Tank Daniels and Tracey White

Daniels and White are proven special teams studs that provide depth at the thin strong side linebacker position.

Daniels, White and Mays would be incredible on the kick coverage team.  They will get their opportunity to compete for a better job in camp.

 

A Last Look at Linebacker

The starting linebackers: Bradley, Gocong, Jordan and Gaither; only produced one interception, five and a half sacks and three forced fumbles.  Without much flash, they covered and tackled fairly well.

As the 2008 season progressed, the defense continued to climb the ranking charts.  The improvement on defense is easily correlated to the improved game play of the linebackers, particularly in coverage. 

The Eagles will likely keep six linebackers on the active roster.  Bradley, Gocong, Mays, Gaither and Jordan will almost certainly all make the team.  Smith could make the team as a defensive end, linebacker or both.

An interesting point about Bryan Smith and Joe Mays is that in 2008, both players were the top rated small school outside and inside linebacker prospects respectively.

Either Tank Daniels or Tracey White are almost assured a spot for their special teams experience.  Since good special teams players are out of their minds, they are always fun to watch when they get in for a live defensive play.

Fokou and Hughes have an outside chance of earning a spot on the linebacker squad with outstanding special teams play.  It all remains to be seen. What these guys will do is completely unknown. 

Fokou’s athleticism measures well even if he is undersized and he was also fairly productive in college.

There is a lot of emerging and unrealized talent in this linebacking group, but it’s Philly and patience is a rare virtue around these parts.  The guys are young and settling-in.  They will improve, notwithstanding some more growing pains. 

If they do not really break out in 2009, there will be some serious disappointment among Eagle fans and probably coaches as well.  There will be plenty of “I told you so” and more. 

There are, however, a multitude of reasons to believe that these linebackers will fully mature as a unit in front of our eyes. 

The Philadelphia Eagles’ Search for McNabb’s No. 1 Wide Receiver

The Eagles front office has been criticized for not being aggressive in acquiring a top tier receiver when that is really the farthest thing from the truth.

When drafting, wide receiver is one of the most difficult positions to grade.

The biggest draft bust at the wide receiver position was easily Freddie Mitchell, followed closely by Todd Pinkston. Neither of these receivers failed to contribute during their tenure in Philadelphia. However, neither blossomed into the potential game changer Eagle fans were demanding.

The Obvious Attempt: WR Terrell Owens

Some moves that the Eagles have made that are quickly forgotten, include the legendary acquisition of T.O.. Terrell Owens may have been the best receiver in the league at that time and the front office obviously made moves for him. 

The Forgotten Attempt: WR Randy Moss

Prior to signing his new contract with New England the Eagles again made a strong move to get the best wide receiver in the NFL. The Eagles outbid the Patriots for the services of Moss, but after a NFL record setting season, the future Hall of Famer elected to re-sign with the Patriots.

The Unknown Attempt: WR Anquan Boldin

In the most emotional debate for a wide receiver in Eagle history, Eagles fans were on fire, demanding the front office make a move for the Arizona Cardinal’s disgruntled receiver Anquan Boldin. Blogs everywhere were blasting the front office for failing to make a move for this superstar.

After the dust finally settled, the truth was revealed that the Eagle’s front office was one of only two teams to make viable offers for Boldin’s services.

The 2009 draft was loaded with receivers.  Michael Crabtree, Jeremy Maclin, Darius Heyward Bey, Percy Harvin, and Hakeem Nicks are just a few of the good looking prospects from this year’s class of receivers. 

With the young talent available in the draft, the value of 30 year old Anquan Boldin was less than in previous years.

The Current Roster: Curtis, Jackson, and Maclin

In the last three years, the Eagles have acquired some good looking talent in Kevin Curtis, Desean Jackson, and Jeremy Maclin.

2006 fourth round pick Jason Avant and rookie free agent acquired from Minnesota, Hank Baskett, also play great roles for this Eagle team and figure to make big plays in 2009.

Reggie Brown is coming off an incredibly disappointing season and has been forgotten as the second year player who posted 816 yards and eight touchdowns. 

Through the draft, the Eagles have picked wide receivers that narrowly missed having the skill set to do what all Eagles fans expect of Curtis, Jackson, and Maclin.

For a more detailed look at the current wide receiver picture reference this link: http://bleacherreport.com/articles/176604-wide-receiver-depth-and-competition.

The “Busts”: Brown, Pinkston, and Mitchell

Brown, Pinkston, and Mitchell may not generate the same kind of excitement, but nonetheless, these guys were not that far off from being the real deal.

In Pinkston’s third season he posted a career best 798 yards and seven touchdowns. He seemed like he might be emerging as a wide receiver.

One might argue that in 2001, we drafted Mitchell before Reggie Wayne (1st Round), Chad OchoCinco (2nd Round), and Steve Smith (3rd Round). This is a valid argument.

The other side of the coin is prior to Reggie Wayne (Pick 30), the Bears took WR David Terrell (Pick Eight), Seattle took WR Koren Robinson (Pick Nine), Redskins took WR Rod Gardner (Pick 15), Jets took WR Santana Moss (Pick 16), and of course the Eagles took WR Freddie Mitchell (Pick 25). How hard is it to assess receiving talent? Real hard.

The list of receivers drafted before Todd Pinkston include: Peter Warrick to Cincinnati (fourth Overall), Plaxico Burress to Pittsburgh (eighth Overall), Travis Taylor to Baltimore (10th Overall), Sylvester Morris to Kansas City (21st Overall), R. Jay Soward to Jacksonville (29th Overall), and Dennis Northcutt to Cleveland (32nd Overall). 

The list of receivers drafted before Reggie Brown include: Braylon Edwards to Cleveland (third Overall), Troy Williamson to Minnesota (seventh Overall), Mike Williams, to Detroit (10th Overall), Matt Jones to Jacksonville (21st Overall), Mark Clayton to Baltimore (22nd Overall), and Roddy White to Atlanta (27th Overall).

Considering the aforementioned list of draft picks, It looks like the Eagles have drafted receivers pretty well.

A Final Word on Philadelphia’s No. 1 Receiver:

The fans are not the only ones looking for a big receiving threat. The front office has done everything they could to put the best team on the field year after year. This staff and veteran group of players have a few more years to bring home the hardware.

So as reported in Dan Pharzych article (Click Here to Read the Article), the Eagles have a new look at receiver depth and at least three receivers that could contend for the No. 1 receiver role in Curtis, Jackson, and, at some point, Jeremy Maclin.

 

Andy Reid Pursues a Legacy Beyond Winning in Philadelphia

Intelligent, selfless, loyal, ethical and meticulous are perhaps the five best words to describe Andy Reid as a coach and person.  These characteristics are evidenced in his determination in carrying the fault through the bad times and forwarding the praises during the good in a very football intensive city.

As an athlete at John Marshall High School and Brigham Young University, Andy Reid played guard and tackle.  He worked his way into the NFL after serving nine years as an offensive line coach in the NCAA ranks at San Francisco State, Northern Arizona, Texas-El Paso and Missouri.

At San Fransisco State, Reid’s offensive line helped pave the way for the most productive offense in the NCAA for three consecutive years.

Mike Holmgren gave Andy his first opportunity at coaching in the NFL with the Green Bay Packers.  As the assistant head coach in Green Bay, Andy was part of the coaching staff during the 1996 Superbowl Season.  He was later named quarterbacks coach where he had the opportunity to work with future Hall of Famer, Brett Favre.

During his tenure at Green Bay, Holmgren inspired Reid to learn the totality of the offense and not restrict his knowledge to particular aspects related to his job title.  Seizing the opportunity to expand his understanding of Holmgren’s offensive scheme, Reid kept detailed notes in his infamous three ring binder that would later evolve into the Andy Reid system.

On the first day that Jeffrey Lurie handed over the proverbial keys to the Philadelphia Eagles football operations, Andy Reid meticulously unveiled a detailed and comprehensive plan for developing a durable football program that would evolve into a decade’s worth of winning tradition.  

Transitioning to Head Coach and Executive Vice President of Football Operations for the Philadelphia Eagles, Reid took over for Ray Rhodes in 1999 after the Eagles put up a league worst 3-13 record.  Since that time, the Eagles have made it to five NFC Championships and one Super Bowl. 

Although the always critical Philadelphia media has made a practice of detracting from Reid’s success, the fact remains that he is the all time winningest coach in franchise history, claiming victory in 107 games and boasting a win percentage of 61.1% with 10 playoff wins.

As an evaluator of talent, Andy Reid has defied the critics by acquiring what is most certainly one of the greatest pools of football players and coaches in Eagle history.  Through the draft, free agency and by trade, Reid has made bold moves to compile youth and leadership, making his franchise a contender year upon year.   

As a coach, Andy has solidified himself as a Hall of Fame candidate.  He is a Super Bowl Championship away from all but guaranteeing himself a spot in Canton.  Considering his history, we can conclude that his motivation is far less self gratifying.  The culmination of success throughout his tenure in Philadelphia will ultimately be acknowledged by both fans and colleagues. 

The greatest criticism against Reid revolves around his play calling and run-to-pass ratio.  Although the Eagles have had great measures of success with their pass happy offense, the ultimate justification for all things football is the elusive and irrefutable championship.  He will not change his philosophy, but we may see some minor adjustments in favor of a more balanced offense in 2009. 

Putting things in perspective, critics and fans alike are easily moved by one defining moment.  Those moments and opportunities are usually far and few between.  Under Reid, the Philadelphia Eagles have risen time and again to prove that Andy Reid’s defining moment has not yet been set.

A final point for consideration is that in the face of adversity and player injuries, Reid has persevered to accomplish what most coaches do not—win games.  His football plan has taken the Eagles to the precipice of greatness and the culmination of his experiences will ultimately determine his legacy as the winningest coach in Eagle history, or the first coach to lead the birds to a Superbowl victory. 

New Faces Bring New Opportunities To The Eagles West Coast Offense

Andy Reid finally has all of the tools to roll out a complete West Coast playbook with a few tricks and stunts to catch opposing defenses off guard and off balance.  Don’t expect a new power running offense in 2009, just expect a more efficient and dynamic version of last season. 

New acquisitions, Stacey Andrews, Jason Peters and Leonard Weaver intend on making an impact in the short yardage game.  

Backs Walter Mendenhall, Kyle Eckel and Marcus Mailei will compete for a position in the backfield to add more size and strength to an opportunistic power running attack. 

Ends Cornelius Ingram, Eugene Bright and Jason Peters will bolster the robust red zone and short yardage possibilities.

Interestingly, Jason Peters was originally a tight end and still has the skill set.  Don’t be surprised to see Andy bring in one of his reserve offensive lineman to play left tackle as he stacks the right side of the line with the Andrews brothers and Shawn Andrews’ college room mate, Jason Peters.  That is a scary image.  

Justifying this concept is simple.  The depth chart is full of players that would carry starting roles in other franchises.  Nick Cole is a more than capable guard and Todd Herremans is equally able in holding down a tackle position.  King Dunlap has been impressive in his reserve role as a tackle, adding more opportunity to see Peters as a short yardage tight end.

I am prognosticating at least one receiving touchdown for Peters this season.

Converted defensive end, Eugene Bright, was impressive in mini-camp and could play the role of the mauling tight end in short yardage.  At 6’4″ and 268 pounds, Bright is the most powerful of the young skilled group that includes the returning and emerging Brent Celek and impressive newcomer Cornelius Ingram.

Ingram also provides more red zone opportunity at tight end with fade routes and jump balls.  Baskett had limited success as the fade route specialist in 2008.  Ingram is a collegiate basketball player who can impose the Tony Gonzales type of tight end presence in the end zone.  At 6’4″ and an official 33″ vertical leap, Ingram can position his body as many former basketball players, like Gonzales, have been able to do, snagging jump balls and fade routes.

As I turn my attention to the backs, I can imagine a power backfield on short yardage plays that includes Weaver at Fullback and of course, Westbrook, following his lead.  I can also imagine Weaver running behind or blocking for Kyle Eckel in short yardage.

Eckel still has to prove he will deserve his roster spot and rookie free agents Marcus Mailei and Walter Mendenhall offer exciting possibilities in short yardage. 

With a bruising fullback like Marcus Mailei, the Eagles will have an opportunity to run with speed and power, utilizing Weaver and Mailei.

Walter Mendenhall is a slightly bigger back who runs hard and low.  Mendenhall could provide a power back option behind Weaver if he can tantalize the coaching staff in camp with more of what he did at Illinois State.

Both Mendenhall and Weaver are backs who can play the role of receiver out of the backfield.  The versatility of Peters, Weaver and Mendenhall could provide over 800 pounds worth of athletic talent looking for a pass in the end zone.

Since we are mentioning backfield components, I cannot allow myself to fail in acknowledging the excitement that Lesean McCoy brings to the field.  Quick and versatile, McCoy will be a dangerous feature for opposing defenses.  I liken McCoy to a Westbrook clone.  Although, I don’t see McCoy bringing much new to the game plan, he will provide a continuity of game play when spelling Westbrook.

That being said, let’s approach our elation regarding a power set offense with measured emotion.  Andy Reid is not going to change his hybridized West Coast Offense and the birds have done a great job adding characters to moreover support this playbook along with bolstering our short yardage offense.

What else can we expect from this bigger, younger group of backs, lineman and tight ends?

Think back to the fantastic 49ers of the 80’s.  The originators and epitome of the West Coast offense utilized big backs like Tom Rathman as receivers out of the backfield very productively.  Weaver is perhaps his most productive as he hauls in short passes and turns them into big plays with a running compound of elusiveness and power.

Although I am sure we will not see a conversion to a power running game plan, we will see more I-Form sets and I-form with three wide. 

Enhancements to short yardage efficiency and possibilities aside, expect more plays involving full back lead blocking, rushing and receiving in 2009.  This more imposing running attack will bring defenses forward and open up speedsters Desean Jackson, Kevin Curtis and Jeremy MacLin on their down field and slant routes.

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