Philadelphia Eagles

Continuing with my series for Sporting Charts covering some of the bigger player transactions in the NFL this offseason, this week I turn my attention to the AFC East. The New England Patriots are once again heavy favorites to win this division, but there has to be some concern with their passing game with the departure of Tom Brady's favorite target Wes Welker. The Patriots did add Danny

Brian Dawkins, the best Safety to grace an Eagles jersey, one of the best Safeties in the NFL and surely has a place waiting for him in the Hall of Fame. Dawkins was a beast in Philadelphia, his hits would make you wince, his forced fumbles would have you cheering and his INT's would leave you awe-inspired. Simply put he was one hell of a player. Now whilst there is no denying the player, just how much of an impact did his loss to the Broncos have on the Eagles? Some would have said he was in decline (age), his 2007 season can and should be written of (on compassionate grounds) but otherwise his stats somewhat speak otherwise. Ultimately it came down to money. The Eagles offered him $4.5 million, Broncos offered $7 million, Dawkins gave the Eagles the chance to match that, it wasn't to be and he went to Denver. His final game was the NFC Championship game losing to the Cardinals, he at least went out on a plausible high (A Superbowl appearance would have been nice). His number was eventually retired as he signed a one day contract and retired an Eagle. His accolades and achievements are endless, suffice to say he deserves a place in Canton. Back on topic then, he was a great player for the Eagles, but we've been without him for four years so looking at the numbers just how much of an effect has that had on the team, on the D and on the FS position in the four years he was in Denver, and his final four years as an Eagle? Just a note I have expunged the 2007 season, family is a massive thing and when your wife goes down like Dawkins wife did you can excuse his performances (though he only started ten games) and so the years in question will be 2004, 05, 06 and 08. Record wise we were a fair bit better when he was still around. The Eagles compiled a 38-27 record in Dawkins last four years, whilst in Denver (and his one year of retirement) the Eagles managed a 33-31 record. We had a much better playoff record as the Eagles went to the Superbowl, Division and Conference games winning 5 and losing 2. Without Dawkins we have yet to win a single playoff game despite making two appearances. I haven't included his playoff stats in any of my sample data but generally he was actually pretty quiet when it came to big plays. Against three teams he managed two sacks, one INT and a Forced Fumble, apart from that he didn't do much else. It's quite obviously unfair to say a team on the whole getting better or worse is due to the loss of any single player so I'm naturally going to now have a look at more specific areas, firstly the defense. Again a defense if bad will be bad with or without a playmaker, then again one player can help boost a team's performance by bringing them together, or increasing their morale, or by simply setting the tone by forcing fumbles or INT's. Did the D labour without Dawkins? Looking at the D's position in terms of point's per game given up we are a fair bit worse. Running from 2004-2012 (no '07) our defensive rankings based on PPG are as follows, 2nd, 27th, 15th, 4th, 19th, 21st, 10th and 29th. 2005 was quite a blip for the Eagles, that year we ended up being shut-out 0-42 against the Seahawks and we're blown away by the Broncos and Cowboys. Apart from that the Eagles have faired quite well on D. They tied for second in 2004 with the one team that beat us on our playoff run... the Patriots. Let's have a look at the general trend of Eagles points per game allowed in this eight year sample period. via britisheagles.co.uk Ignoring the lack of a dot in 2007 the trend shows a quite noticeable rise in the amount of points that our D has given up. Since we released Dawkins we have yet to allow less than 20 points per game. In 2004 we only allowed 16.2 pts per game and in 2008 18.1. Even with the massive blip that is 24.2 pts in 2005 it doesn't change the fact that we were a fair bit better while Dawkins still commanded us on D. As ever my favourite port of call is turnovers. One of the most exciting aspec

Howard Smith-USA TODAY Sports The tight end position is evolving in the NFL. Teams like the New England Patriots are using two and three tight end sets to create mismatches against defenses with athletes that are too quick and fast for linebackers and simply too big in stature for safeties and corners to handle. Rob Gronkowski and Aaron Hernandez both give defensive coordinators fits in the Patriots uptempo attack and Philadelphia Eagles head coach Chip Kelly wants a similar emphasis on the tight ends in his frenetic styled offense. Kelly gave himself a few tools in his toolbox at the tight end position by snapping up James Casey from the Houston Texans in the early stages of free agency and drafting Stanford tight end Zach Ertz at the top of the second round, an outstanding playmaker in his time at Paolo Alto. Ertz and Casey give the Eagles a totally different dynamic at tight end than in recent season’s as Casey will act as the move guy who can block and also run routes, while Ertz will be lined up pretty much everywhere in the slot, out wide and in-line. The Eagles believe they have their equivalent of Gronkowski and Hernandez in these two players. This poses an interesting question of how veteran tight end Brent Celek fits in on the Eagles. Celek is not exactly a spring chicken anymore as he is approaching 30, but he is still the Eagles most effective blocker at the tight end position and gives it his all on every play. I believe Kelly will find a way to make it work with three tight ends as he loves the mismatch this position provides on the football field. Look for Ertz and Casey to make big impacts even in year one for both on a new team. Ertz is the x-factor, though. He can simply do it all: block, run, jump and provide monster mismatches in the red zone on opposing safeties and linebackers with his 6-foot-5 frame. Kelly loves his tight ends. He now has the personnel to attack opposing defenses in his arsenal. Watch out.

We here in Philadelphia have long wanted a Super Bowl. But typically when he say that, we mean a Super Bowl win... not the actual game. But that just may be what we get one day. Jeff Lurie has said more than one time this offseason that if the NY/NJ Super Bowl is a success, he'll he push for the game to be held in Philly. "I will, yes. I will, if it's a success," Lurie said. "New York will help us." More: Hosting a Super Bowl does not mean your team can't make the big game Linc hasn't been a homefield advantage Of course, the unstated but fairly obvious reason the NFL did decide to hold the big game up this way was because the Giants and Jets built a new stadium. The Eagles won't have a new stadium, but will they have spent $125 million over the next two years on a stadium revitalization project. Jeff Lurie may certainly argue that that investment is part of the reason he deserves to host a Super Bowl in Philadelphia. Question is, would it be something we really would be excited about? No doubt it would be fun for the eye of the nation to be on the city for a week and there'd be a lot of fun events in town. But then again, for those just trying to get to work or their home in South Philly, it could also be a bit of a headache as well. Plus, as much as the economic impact of the game will be touted, all too often host cities end up losing on big events like this. But here's the thing... If you asked me whether I'd like to see the Super Bowl held in Philly, I'd say yes. I do think it would be fun. But if you then asked where it ranks on the list things I care about, it wouldn't be terribly high. I honestly just don't care where the Super Bowl is held. Poll Do you want to see Philadelphia host a Super Bowl? YES!!!! Meh Absolutely not 12 votes | Results

What’s my definition of invincible? It's not about overpowering a person or a challenge physically. It's that inner strength that you possess that enables you to make game-changing actions or decisions.

Bret Munsey has been brought on as a scout for the Eagles, according to a source.

Zach Ertz was one of only two rookies to miss virtually the Eagles entire offseason program so far, the other being Jordan Poyer. The reason is an NFL rule that bars new draftees from joining their teams prior to their college graduation. Most schools graduate around late May so it's not issue for the majority of guys. However, Ertz's school, Stanford, did not graduate until this past Sunday. According to PE.com, Ertz hopped a red eye to Philadelphia direct from his graduation. "It was tough to see all my teammates out here doing football activities, but at the end of the day there was nothing that I could really do about it," Ertz said. "So I kind of took it with a grain of salt and studied the playbook as much as I can and I'm just really excited to be out here now." Ertz was allowed to have a playbook, but could not have any contact with coaches. So while he should be familiar with the plays, he still won't have the experience of working with the team until training camp starts next month. But for now, he's in the team's conditioning program, he can meet with his coaches and can at least get to know his teammates a littler better. It'll be a summer of catching up for the 2nd round pick, but he says he'll be happy to contribute any way he can. "I just want to help the team win in any way I can, whether that's special teams or on offense," said Ertz. "I think there's enough talent on both offensive and defensive sides of the ball to be a winning team and make the playoffs. That's my only goal right now."

*The Phillies are actually closer to the NL East leader than the 2nd Wild Card.*The NL East is the worst division in baseball. *Kevin Frandsen should have been starting at 2nd base all along, not Freddy Galvis. I wonder if he could play right field once Utley returns. *Ryan Howard has his batting average up to .276 and a climbing .796 OPS as well.*It's not fair that Cole Hamels lead MLB in losses with 10, because he gets next to no run support. However, he should be ashamed of his 4.40 ERA. *Tonight is a big game for him. Nationals are primed for the sweep. KK needs to kkill them.*A strong indicator of just how bad the offense and bullpen have been, is that the Phillies lead MLB in quality starts with 48 (6+ IP with 3 ER or less allowed), but still have a losing record.

Last season, the Eagles featured several first-year players that were in pivotal roles. Fletcher Cox, Mychal Kendricks, Brandon Boykin and Cedric Thornton were key players on defense, while Nick Foles, Damaris Johnson, Bryce Brown and Dennis Kelly saw heavy playing time on offense. The results for the rookies, outside of Cox, were mixed. This season, the Eagles are in a similar spot with several inexperienced players likely to see the field in key positions. First-round pick Lane Johnson is seemingly a lock at starting right tackle, Zach Ertz seems destined for several targets per game and Bennie Logan, Matt Barkley and Earl Wolff will have the opportunity to work their way into the lineup. Overlooked players like Jordan Poyer and Russel Shepard could also be factors on special teams and in their respective positional rotations. With several first and second-year players on the field, there should be some serious patience by the coaching staff and the front office. If Chip Kelly is to transform the Eagles into a winner by using his philosophies, it is imperative that he reaches the youth on the roster. Between Johnson, Cox, Thornton, Kendricks, Ertz, Brown and young veterans like DeSean Jackson, LeSean McCoy and Bradley Fletcher, the Eagles are primed for the future. The foundation for the team's success should not be rushed or pressured, but should be developed and nurtured. Rebuilding gets an ugly connotation by fans. However, rebuilding is the key to success for most teams. Recently-successful franchises like the Seahawks, the Packers and Falcons all had growing pains on the way to the top of the league. Now it is Philadelphia's turn to build something new and improved.

The NFL believes the Read/Option is here to stay | The Sideline ViewSo far this off-season, the "Pistol formation" originator, Chris Ault, got hired as a consultant, coaching staffs have spent time with collegiate teams like Alabama for help defending the read/option and front offices have pushed to conduct special research to find analytical trends regarding the read/option. This off-season shows that NFL teams believe that the read-option won't be going away anytime soon. Who's really in charge? Power structures vary across NFC East - NFL.comThere are few true coach-driven organizations in the NFL today, but Mike Shanahan's Washington Redskins are one of them. Albert Breer lays out each team's hierarchy in the NFC East. Eagles hope stadium renovations will help in Super Bowl bidThe Eagles are not spending $125 million to renovate Lincoln Financial Field to host a Super Bowl, but it doesn't hurt owner Jeffrey Lurie's case. Eagles depth chart breakdown: The offense | Comcast SportsNet PhiladelphiaThis week, Eagles Insider Geoff Mosher will be breaking down the Eagles' depth chart. He'll do the defense and special teams on Wednesday, but today he'll start with the offense: Ranking the Eagles Interior Offensive Linemen | Fanspeak's NFC East BlogIn the coming weeks I will do a series of posts on the Philadelphia Eagles and how their players stack up at each position. These Tiers are an indication of what talent level can reasonably be expected of each player for the 2013 season. Future potential and contract status are not really taken into consideration, as this is more an indication of a players talent level and expected production. Roster Features Variety Of BackgroundsGeneral manager Howie Roseman, head coach Chip Kelly and the rest of the Eagles personnel staff have gone to great lengths to find the wide array of players on the Eagles roster. Bill Barnwell on the teams that still have holes in their rosters - GrantlandThe rosters are pretty much set, but some teams forgot to do some of their shopping this offseason.