• May 18, 2024

Eagles WR’s best in NFC East?

 Adam Schein of Foxsports.com (and about 10 other media outlets) thinks that the Eagles currently have the best WR's in the NFC East.

It's not much of a stretch considering what else is in the division.

The Cowboys lost Terrell Owens and are left with guys like Roy Williams (who I think will have a pretty good year), Patrick Crayton, Myles Austin and Isaiah Stanback.  After Roy Williams, that's not so hot, even though I  think Austin is ok.

The Giants lost Plaxico Burress and Amani Toomer and now have Steve Smith (wasn't as good last year as in 2007), Domenik Hixon, Sinorice Moss, Mario Manningham, and a couple rookies in Hakeem Nicks and Ramses Barden.  I've heard great things about Nicks so far, but I keep hearing that Barden can't get off the line.  That's bad news if you can't get off the line in shorts.  Moss has been a bust, Hixon is just a guy and Manningham has yet to show an ounce of anything after one year.

The Redskins are probably in the worst shape.  Santana Moss is a little older and not what he used to be.  James Thrash is gone.  Antwan Randle El was never that good.  Two second-year guys that I've talked a lot about are Malcolm Kelly and Devin Thomas.  They are hoping Kelly is finally healthy and they are also hoping that Thomas stops being an idiot.  

So that leaves the Eagles, who are incredibly deep at WR.  They may or may not have the true #1, but they have guys down at #5 and #6 that could possibly start for some teams.  Here is what Schein says:

"The Eagles' receivers are the best in the NFC East

"For all of the question marks at this position through the Donovan McNabb-Andy Reid era, and all of the dropped passes by Todd Pinkston and company, finally Eagles fans can rejoice in the truth of the above statement.

"And actually, it isn't even close.

"While I believe in guys like Cowboys receiver Roy Williams and Giants wideout Steve Smith even more than most, it's Andy Reid's crew that is the deepest and most dynamic group of pass-catchers in this incredible division.

 "DeSean Jackson burst on the scene last year with 62 catches and 912 receiving yards. The home-run hitter is only getting better and has a budding rapport with McNabb.

"Reid and company brilliantly traded up to acquire Jeremy Maclin in the April draft. Jackson and Maclin have the same explosive qualities. With his hands, route running, speed and football IQ, Maclin will be an impact player, even as a rookie.

"Kevin Curtis has been underrated for years. He is 100% healthy after sports hernia surgery and I predict Curtis will lead the Eagles in catches this year.

"Jason Avant, with sure hands, will catch 45 passes this year and emerge as a McNabb favorite on third downs and in the red zone.

"Reggie Brown, thought to be the team's No. 1 receiver just 12 months ago, is nothing more than the fifth-best receiver on this year's team, but gives Reid serious depth. And if Hank Baskett is your No. 6 receiver, it shows the sheer strength at the position. You could easily make the case that Brown and Baskett could be third or fourth wideouts on depth charts in Dallas, New York or Washington.

"A key to this argument is watching the development of second-year receivers Devin Thomas and Malcom Kelly behind Santana Moss and Antwaan Randle El in Washington. But looking into the crystal ball, I cannot buy into Jason Campbell's weapons."

GCOBB

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