What Are Concerns For The Eagles Heading Into 2015?

Tick tock, tick tock, kickoff for the Eagles-Falcons game can’t get here soon enough. The preseason was as exciting as anyone could have asked, providing fans even more optimism heading into year three of the Chip Kelly era. Plenty of optimism surrounds the team as they prepare for their week one opponent the Atlanta Falcons.

The number one question heading into the season, the health status of quarterback Sam Bradford, the mood has certainly shifted after preseason game three against the Packers. Whether Bradford holds up the entire season remains a concern, but those who doubted why Chip made the trade appear satisfied, for the time being.

For me, the areas of concern have much to do with the “depth” at key positions, including the offensive line and the secondary.

The Eagles offensive line starts two back-ups from last season in Andrew Gardner and Allen Barbre. The only veteran signed in the offseason was John Moffitt who failed to return to make the team. The starting unit looks solid; possibly better than what was anticipated, but concern is valid with the backups. Minus Josh Andrews, the rest are guys are the backups from the year, and for a team that wants to run the football early and often, a team protecting an injury prone quarterback, not adding to the offensive line is a big gamble that Chip Kelly has publically stated he is confident in taking.

The Eagles secondary will be better in 2015; right? Maxwell was “overpaid” to ensure one of the cornerbacks would get the job done. As for the rest, there is a reason to be anxious. Nolan Carroll, a guy who fans didn’t get to see start I 2014 even when ex-Eagle Bradley Fletcher was being embarrassed weekly, will start opposite of Maxwell. He has started NFL games, did so during his time in Miami, but struggled in the preseason staying with his man. With Boykin now it Pittsburgh, rookie Eric Rowe is third on the depth chart, but he is not ready to start in the NFL, looking more like a safety trying to play cornerback throughout the preseason. Rowe may see veteran E.J. Bigger man the nickel slot until the coaching staff feels he is ready. Undrafted Denzel Rice join journeyman Biggers to round out the depth at the cornerback position group.

Safety is once again a position of uncertainty, a reoccurring feeling since Dawkins left Philadelphia. The decision to move Walter Thurmond to man the safety spot opposite of Malcom Jenkins is one I actually like. Knowing how Chip likes to play his safeties in multiple roles, it’s a decision that I don’t feel is as risky as it is strategic. The issue is Thurmond has been injured a lot throughout his career, and the next guy up in Chris Maragos. Maragos is a special teamer and after him, Jerome Couplin is a complete unknown. I wouldn’t be shocked if an injury were to occur at either starting safety position that EJ Biggers who has started games at safety fills in instead of either Maragos or Couplin.

There is concern about the secondary on my end to start the season, but I do feel when looking back at the 2015 season, I’m going to may satisfied with how they played. The offensive line will be just fine, wearing down opponents with the best running game in the NFL, proving that Chip Kelly understood what he had from a talent perspective when releasing proven veteran Evan Mathis.

The best thing about speculating the unknown of the Philadelphia Eagles is the fact that the regular season is quickly approaching and answers to the lingering questions are coming. Possible flaws of this football team could actually become some of their strengths, and endless potential for how far the team can go has everyone fired up for the 2015 season.