"Super" Eagles?

Clearly, some people just can’t win with the media.

Feel free to add Donovan McNabb to the list.

McNabb indicated in a press conference earlier this week that he thinks his team is of Super Bowl caliber, and that they can turn last year’s 6-10 record into 13-3 or even 14-2 this year.

The pundits overwhelmingly disagree with McNabb’s assessment of the Eagles. The national media has lambasted McNabb for the perceived absurdity of his comments. Around the Horn’s Woody Paige called it “idiocy.”

The detractors, and there are many, are quick to point out that the Eagles play in the best division in the NFL, that NFC East foes Dallas, New York, and Washington are all superior, that their out of division schedule is brutal down the stretch this season, and that the Eagles lack game-breaking talent at wide receiver and running back.

While all of these arguments are subject to debate (and debate them I will), what shouldn’t be questioned is the fact that McNabb is the leader of the Eagles. His comments reflect a belief in himself, his teammates, and his coaches. It’s the kind of statement that a leader should be commended for making.

But the hypocrites in the media, who have questioned McNabb’s leadership abilities on numerous occasions in the past, obviously can’t see the forest through the trees.

Let’s say Tom Brady came out and said he thought the Patriots were a Super Bowl team despite the fact that the AFC is loaded, Corey Dillon is old, Deion Branch is holding out, and Adam Vinatieri is a Colt. Would the media blast him for his “idiocy?” Of course not. He’s Tom Brady. He’s just trying to rally the troops.

On the flip side, what if McNabb was asked about his team’s chances and responded with something milk-toast like “we’ve got some question marks at a few positions right now, and we play in a tough division, so hopefully we can go 8-8.” What kind of response would that illicit from the guys in his locker room? How would the fans react? The media would absolutely devour him…

Because some people just can’t win with the media.

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They say everyone is entitled to his opinion, and I don’t disagree. However, when that opinion is based on untruths, I feel the need to argue. That said, here are some reasons I’ve heard people say the Eagles have no chance this season, and my rebuttal (and if you think I giggled when I typed ‘rebuttal,’ you know me all too well):

The NFC East is stacked – No real debate there, except that the Cowboys, Giants, and Redskins all have questions of their own. It sounds as though the Giants have grown tired of Drill Sergeant Coughlin, and Eli Manning is still a work in progress. Washington’s Clinton Portis injured his shoulder in a pre-season game and they aren’t sure when he’ll be 100%. The ‘Skins are a totally different team with a healthy Portis as opposed to without. As for the Cowboys, Parcells and TOFU already appear to be at odds (and year one of TOFU is supposed to be the good year). As I see it, the division is wide open.

The Eagles don’t have a number one wide receiver – Right, but they have a group of guys that can make plays. Reggie Brown set franchise rookie records for receiving yards and touchdowns last season. Hank Baskett, the anti-TOFU, will likely start and has been nothing short of sensational so far in camp and the pre-season. Jabar Gaffney is coming around. Tight end L.J. Smith has Pro Bowl written all over him. Other than 2004, the Eagles offense has been predicated on creating mismatches and spreading the ball around. This group, including running back Brian Westbrook, allows them to do that. Speaking of…

Brian Westbrook can’t stay healthy – No, he hasn’t played a full season yet. That’s not to say he can’t. In the twelve games he played last year, he amassed better than 100 yards rushing + receiving per game and scored seven touchdowns. I’ll take that kind of production.

You need #1 talent at the skill positions to win a Super Bowl – Obviously, the more talent you have, the better. But you win in the NFL by dominating the line of scrimmage, and the Eagles are vastly improved along both lines. The O-Line is massive, and the D-Line is so deep at end and tackle. Pressure the quarterback and protect your own, which the Eagles should be able to do.

The late-season schedule is brutal – It certainly appears that way on paper right now. But things can change. Right now, nobody can really be sure how good these teams are. I also think the fact that the Eagles play an easier early-season schedule (featuring Houston, San Francisco, Green Bay, and New Orleans) will help them build momentum heading into games with Indianapolis, Carolina, and Jacksonville.

So, maybe McNabb has a point. He believes. I Believe. And most importantly, the guys in the locker room (a locker room that was, by all accounts, divided a season ago) believe. If you believe, tell me why at nfl_ant@hotmail.com.

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We’re a little over a week away from the Fantasy Football draft, and I’ve been in full preparation mode. I envisioned doing a top five by position prior to said draft, but these things take time. Plus, I don’t want to tip off any of the vultures in my league. I select eighth this year (in a twelve-team league), which means I’ll pick three times in the first 32. I’m predicting big things this year for Bonzi’s Pecans.

I guess I should probably explain the name – “Bonzi.” Was the nickname of the head nurse (hee hee) at a previous employer (her real name was Dea Wells). Therefore, Bonzi’s Pecans translates to…

Dea’s nuts.