The 2011 Eagles have been very disappointing, to say the least. Some observers thought the team might struggle a bit, but no one realistically saw a 3-6 record at this point. This has truly been a crazy season. Any time a season heads in this direction the blame game takes on a life of its own. Everyone has a theory for which player, unit or coach is to blame.

The truth is that one person isn't at fault. A combination of factors has led to the 3-6 record. If it was just one person, he'd have been benched or fired. If it was just one side of the ball, major lineup changes would have taken place. This is a team effort. This is a team problem.

I've had a few people ask me about some young guys. "Is Danny Watkins a disappointment?" was one question I got. Some people have questions about Brandon Graham. The safety position has caught a ton of flak this year. I think trying to single out young guys as the problem on this team is especially off- target.

Let's start with Watkins. He has now started four games. The team is 2-2 in those games. That alone should tell you he's not anywhere close to being the problem. Watkins did struggle on Sunday. Cardinals defensive tackle Darnell Dockett is a very quick, athletic player. Watkins hadn't faced anyone quite like him so far and it showed. Dockett was really firing off the ball. Watkins struggled with that quickness. Now Dockett was disruptive, but he didn't dominate the matchup to the point that he took over the game. Dockett had two tackles. He didn't have a sack or tackle-for-loss. He wasn't credited with any hits on the quarterback.

Watkins has shown that he can recover well when initially beaten. He'll keep his hands on the rusher and do everything he can to slow him down. That's important. The linemen who get their quarterback killed are the guys who turn and watch the rusher go deliver a big hit. Watkins isn't a watcher. Pass protection is an area where Watkins still needs more work. He has the physical ability. Right now he's working on his technique and also learning who to block. Defenses now don't just line up four guys in the same spot all the time. Half the battle for linemen is knowing which rusher is their responsibility. That takes time and experience. Watkins really struggled with pass protection this summer, but has come a long way since then.

Watkins is a good run blocker. He can actually be very good at times. He's got the size and strength to control the defender across from him. Watkins has the athleticism to go block on the second level. He's also tenacious. There have been some plays this year where he stuck with his block for 10 yards. That drives defenders crazy.

Tommy Lawlor, goeagles99 on the Discussion Boards, is an amateur football scout and devoted Eagles fan. He was a finalist for Philadelphia's Most Influential Blogger Award and is the Editor of IgglesBlitz.com

One of the key things you look for with young guys is how they progress. Watkins is getting better. He is headed in the right direction. I thought he played pretty well against the Bears. His reward for that was getting to face Dockett, one of the most explosive and disruptive interior players in the league. Dockett got the better of the matchup, but not to the point where the offense couldn't function. It will be interesting to see how Watkins bounces back. Right now, Watkins is a solid player. He has ups and downs, like all young players, but there is more good than bad. Watkins could be a very good player as soon as next season.

Graham is a player the Eagles really wanted in the 2010 draft. He had a solid rookie year, before tearing his ACL last December. Graham worked like crazy to get ready for the 2011 season. The Eagles still very much believe in him and wanted to be careful with his recovery. They put him on the Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) list. That allowed Graham to work out, but not practice. Graham did everything he could to get ready for midseason, when he would be allowed to practice. He obviously showed the Eagles enough that they were comfortable with him becoming an active member of the roster.

Graham has played in two games. He hasn't done anything to stand out, but no one realistically should have been expecting him to shine at this point. Graham is here to come off the bench and help as a pass rusher. It is important for him to get on the field this for his own sake as much as the team. Graham needs to get back in the flow of action and to deal with any nervousness about playing on the rehabbed knee. The first games back are tough on players, especially guys with knee injuries. I haven't seen hesitation from Graham the way that I did from Stewart Bradley last year. Bradley was very cautious about blockers getting near his lower legs. The Bears used cut blocks on Graham last week and he didn't panic. When coming off an ACL rehab, the last thing you want is blockers diving at your legs.

I still have high expectations for Graham. I loved him at Michigan and he had a better rookie season than people think. Next year, he should push Jason Babin for the starting job at left end. For now, Graham just needs to work on some of the technical aspects of his game and to build confidence in his knee.

Eagles safeties didn't play well early in the year. Kurt Coleman wasn't getting the job done. Nate Allen was on the bench as he came back from his knee injury. Jarrad Page missed a ton of tackles. Jaiquawn Jarrett was still adjusting to life in the NFL and wasn't ready to play quite yet. Safety was a real problem for the Eagles, for the first time in a long time. We've been spoiled by the presence of Wes Hopkins, Andre Waters, Mike Zordich, Greg Jackson, Brian Dawkins, Michael Lewis and Quintin Mikell.

The safeties have turned things around in a major way. Allen is playing very well. Unfortunately, he missed the Cardinals game due to a concussion. Coleman has played well since he got back into the starting lineup. He did miss a crucial tackle on Sunday, but had played very well aside from that. I don't think it is fair to dismiss the overall game for one mistake. Jarrett got his first start and had a lot to deal with, but handled himself pretty well.

I think the Eagles have a good collection of young safeties. I'm excited to see how this group does the rest of the year and into the future. Allen can be a ballhawk. Jarrett is the most physical of the group. Coleman is tough and smart. He is a classic overachiever. At the least, he could be a terrific No. 3 safety.

Don't get down on Watkins, Graham, Allen and Jarrett.  These guys have all shown glimpses of their potential.  Be patient with them.  As long as they are playing solid football and getting better, that's a reasonable return from young guys.  Assuming they stay healthy, 2012 will be the year we start to find out just how good these guys can be.

For more dead-on analysis from Tommy Lawlor, check out the Fan-Demonium archive.