A season ago, tight end Brent Celek introduced himself to the rest of the NFL. His 76 receptions ranked 12th in the NFC, and his eight touchdown catches last season ranked ninth in the conference. In fact, Celek's 2009 season was one for the Eagles' record books. Celek now sits second all time in receptions, touchdowns and yards (971) for a tight end in a single season.

But here we stand, eight weeks into the 2010 season, and Celek has yet to produce the way he would like. A first half marred by injuries and missed opportunities has Celek anxious to get back on the field and prove his value to this offense.

"I think my whole body – I was beat down, banged up," Celek said. "This (bye) week has been huge for me. I feel like a different person.""

So far this season, Celek has 21 receptions for 229 yards and two touchdowns through seven games. If you project those numbers over the course of the season, Celek would have 48 catches for 523 yards and five touchdowns. But a wrist injury has slowed the 6-4, 255-pound tight end thus far, something that Celek admits was beginning to frustrate him.

"I think (it's bothered me) a little bit," Celek said. "I have to be mentally tough, but sometimes when you get a nick here a nick there, it starts to wear on you. Like I said, I'm back. I feel good.

"I think having that week off was very big for that and I feel like I'm close to 100 percent right now."

After a tough loss in Tennessee, and a week to recover both physically and mentally, the Eagles look to get back on the winning side this Sunday against the Colts. As it stands, the Eagles find themselves at 4-3 and right in the hunt for a playoff spot in a strange year for the NFC.

With the first half of the season complete, the six teams that competed in last year's NFC playoffs are a combined 20-24. Two of them – Dallas and Minnesota – are a combined 3-11 and all but out of the playoff race. But the title wave of parity that has swept through the NFC means at this point, it's anyone's game. If the Eagles play to their potential, Celek can't help but like's their chances.

"We're sitting in a good spot," Celek said. "We really would have liked to win that last game (against Tennessee), but we're still sitting good. We control our own destiny here on out. If we continue to play well, we'll be all right."

-- Posted by Josh Goldman, 6:00 p.m., November 2