The Gatekeepers

Nobody appreciates a fullback right now like an Eagles fan.  No disrespect to Dan Klecko, but this team just went an entire season without a true lead blocker, and far longer since anyone even remotely effective has played the position.  It's time to see what this offense can do with a different type of weapon in the backfield.

Leonard Weaver instantly makes the Eagles better in two key areas: short yardage and red zone.  We all remember the countless number of times the offense failed to convert third or fourth and one to go, and it cost them at minimum two games last season.  Not only can Weaver consistently open up holes that converted defensive tackles and smallish fullbacks could not, but he can take a handoff and get the yard himself, plus more.  Combined with their revamped O-line, there are no more excuses to come up short.

The Eagles should also be far more comfortable with the idea of trying to power into the end zone from a few yards out.  The big-goalline back theory takes a hit when you can keep your regular personnel in the game but still run the ball for a score.  Westbrook and McCoy can hide behind Weaver and squirt out of the backfield for 6 before the defense can even find them.  Weaver can catch and run as well, making virtually everybody a threat to score.

Red zone production should be the biggest area of improvement by far for the Eagles this year, and though he may be not racking up the points himself, a versatile fullback on a versatile offense is going to make things a lot easier for everyone.

Breakout Season: Brent Celek

As we approached the draft, there was a fair amount of skepticism regarding Celek as a starting tight end, but a closer look at last season's playoff run suggests he's arrived as a pass catcher and red zone target.  From Week 17 on, Celek compiled 22 catches for 181 yards and 4 touchdowns, including 10 for 83 and 2 scores in the NFC Championship.  There was also his 131-yard breakout performance against a depleted Seahawks D in Week 9.

Celek isn't necessarily a great athlete, but unlike his predecessor, he is a reliable target and understands how to find holes in the defense.  His emergence as a viable red zone threat makes it that much more difficult for teams to cover the club's more dynamic players.  Coaches have also spent the offseason working on Celek's blocking technique, so there is no situation where he should need to come off the field.  On an offense with an All Pro running back, deep group of receivers, and three explosive rookies, Brent Celek can fly under the radar and really surprise people this year.

Rookie Projection: Cornelius Ingram

If Cornelius Ingram is as amazing as the reports say he is, there is absolutely no way they can keep him off the field.  After running more two tight end sets than any team in the NFL in 2007, the Eagles regressed to 26th in '08 while L.J. Smith struggled to look like a football player and coaches continued to work with Celek.  Ingram's athleticism should see a return to this formation, particularly inside the 20.

The benefits of an Ingram in the red zone are obvious.  His height and leaping ability present problems for any defender, which will be all the more impossible to stop with a healthy Westbrook, a playmaking fullback, and the improving Celek.  Ingram can also be a handful elsewhere on the field, and with secondaries focused on a deep set of shifty receivers, it won't be a shock when McNabb connects with the rookie tight end on a few vertical routes this season. Projecting 20-25 catches, 250-350 yards, and 3-5 touchdowns may not be out of line.

Roster Battle: Matt Schobel v. Eugene Bright

We wrote this about Matt Schobel last summer: Here's an interesting statistic: Schobel's reception totals have declined every season since his rookie year in 2002, this despite the fact that he started six games in 2007, and according to Pro Football Prospectus, the Eagles throw from the two tight end set more than any other team. Unless there is a team REALLY desperate for a tight end (looking at you, Buffalo), that trend should culminate in 2008 when he finally catches zero passes, ending six years of futility.

Schobel made the team and caught two passes, while Kris Wilson faded back into obscurity.  It's hard to believe there isn't a better third tight end out there, which is why undrafted rookie Eugene Bright has a legitimate shot at making this team.  Bright impressed coaches enough this spring for Andy Reid to mention him by name at a press conference, but where he'll need to have the biggest impact is short yardage blocking and especially special teams.

I watched some of practice on Wednesday and caught the one-on-one blocking drills.  Bright didn't stand out (off topic: Shady McCoy was impressive in this drill), but when is enough going to be enough with Schobel?  He's either a quietly effective special teamer, or has pictures of somebody.

Original Story: http://www.the700level.com/2009/08/th...