The feeling-out process of the season is done. A bumpy six games has had its share of highs and lows and in-between moments. Can you honestly say if the Eagles are a good team after watching them play six games?
We've seen enough of the Eagles to identify strengths and weaknesses and to circle question marks. This team is as talented as any out there and is, from this perspective capable of winning any game, anywhere. Can they go on a 10-game rally and reach the postseason? Here is a checklist of what the Eagles need to do to make it right in 2011 ...
LEADERS MUST EMERGE
When you change a roster as dramatically as the Eagles have in the last couple of years, it's often difficult for leaders to establish themselves. Newcomers don't want to overstep their limits in a strange locker room. Young players assert themselves over time. Veterans who have been here must demonstrate their worth to the team before they step out as go-to leaders.
Michael Vick is, without question, the leader of the team. He is the one out in front and everyone is comfortable with Vick in that role. He sets a great example.
But who leads on defense? Who is the single guy who rallies the troops, who gets the emotions going?
That particular leader remains to be seen. It could be Cullen Jenkins, who won the Super Bowl last season in Green Bay and who has the kind of natural leadership that younger players gravitate toward. He must, then, express to his team the urgency of the situation right now. The Eagles are 2-4 and they have very little margin for error to get into the playoff driver's seat.
Who else? Asante Samuel? In some ways he is, and behind the scenes he is more than in public, but Samuel leads in a different sort of way. He is a free spirit who keeps it loose in practice and who, in games, then steps up with a big interception and big play. That's the kind of leader he is. Samuel isn't going to go blow up a ball carrier and he isn't going to do the rah-rah thing.
Nate Allen? In time, absolutely. Allen works hard, keeps his head high and is a player on the come. Same with Kurt Coleman, although both have to play at a high level for a period of time before they are viewed in that manner.
LeSean McCoy is emerging more and more as that kind of player, and you can include wide receivers Jeremy Maclin and DeSean Jackson in that young-players group. Jason Avant, of course, called a players-only meeting a couple of weeks ago and it appeared to make a difference.
This is the time when leadership, or a lack thereof, is apparent with a football team. We'll learn very quickly how much camaraderie and leadership and urgency come from the Eagles' locker room. The team has three straight home games that are in the conference and that are of utmost importance to this team. Let's see how the Eagles approach each week.
STRONG AND FLEXIBLE DEFENSIVE GAME PLANS
Straight ahead are games against high-powered offenses (Dallas and Chicago) and Juan Castillo needs to be up to the task. He can't get too cute with his approach, and at the same time he needs to make sure his defense is unpredictable and pressure based. Offensive coordinators have had six games to get a handle on Castillo's tendencies and he has to be aware of that.
At the same time, the Eagles must do what they did in Washington: Pressure the line of scrimmage, challenge on every snap of the football and create turnovers. Castillo now has a good idea of what his players can do, and what they are better off not doing.
So, for example, how does he employ cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha? Early in the season Asomugha lined up at safety, in the slot, at linebacker and on the right corner. Against Washington, he shut down everything from the right cornerback spot.
With Miles Austin, Jason Witten and Dez Bryant next, how does Castillo use Asomugha? Furthermore, have the Eagles found their answers at linebacker? Is the combination of Allen and Coleman the long-term solution at the safety spots?
How much Wide 9 will the Eagles use up front, or will they tighten the edges from time to time?
Castillo has a lot on his plate. He has improved since his first day on the job. He's a smart man and a fine football coach. Down the stretch, how does he overcome a lack of experience at his job and make this defense tick?
SOLVE THE INCONSISTENCY IN THE RED ZONE
The offense in the red zone has been too inconsistent and it has been a prime focus for the offensive coaching staff. The tough part is that it isn't just one area that needs fixing, because the mistakes made come from every avenue of the game -- playcalling, execution, penalties, turnovers.
Improving in short-yardage situations, being more physical inside the 10-yard line and eliminating penalties would sure help. So would finding a bread-and-butter play or three to go to with the end zone in sight. Vick ran for 9 touchdowns a year ago and he has zero now. That is a startling difference.
The Eagles need to rank in the top 10 in the NFL from here on out in red-zone efficiency to really take advantage of all of the weapons in this offense and to maximize what the offense can do. Too many wasted chances have already done their damage in wins and losses.
KICKING GAME MUST GO TO NEXT LEVEL
Very soon the cold weather is going to have an impact on games, particularly on special teams. That means more pressure moments for kickers Alex Henery and Chas Henry. The Eagles have not exposed Henery to many long kicks, and that could change soon. He had only the only bad game, against the 49ers, and it was costly. That's how precious the difference is between wins and losses in the NFL.
Henry has been pretty consistent for a rookie. He needs to get off change-the-field-position punts, but the offense has moved the ball enough to keep him from kicking out of his end zone. With tough defenses immediately ahead, Henry is going to be called on sooner rather than later to bail out the defense with a booming punt.
The return games could really use a big play, too. We've talked about that. The Eagles need a home-run hitter on kickoff returns.
START FAST, FINISH STRONG
The Eagles have done neither this season. Not a single point in the first drive. Not a fourth quarter in which they outplayed their opponent. That has to change right now. The Eagles have always, always, always started well with Andy Reid and Marty Mornhinweg. Not this year, for some unknown reason.
Where is the no-huddle offense? Where is the Wildcat? When is the last time the Eagles were unpredictable offensively on their first drive and why haven't they worn out defenses in the fourth quarter by using more tempo and taking advantage of their great team speed?
It's hard to argue against the offense's production, but the points really haven't been there as much as the Eagles are capable of producing. At times this offense is breathtakingly good. At other times, it just breaks down.
The defense is not without its warts, of course. Putting together 60 minutes of great football on Sunday night against Dallas will go a long way toward establishing some confidence in what the Eagles are, and what they can be moving forward for the remainder of the season.
RANDOM NEWS, NOTES AND THIS AND THAT
- Defensive end Brandon Graham practiced on Monday and came away feeling good about where he is in terms of his skills. But until he shows the coaching staff that he is in football shape, he won't come off the Physically Unable to Perform list. That could be this week against Dallas. I don't know the plan. I do know that when Graham is ready, he will be active and the Eagles will have to move someone off the 53-man roster to make room for Graham.
- If you want Asomugha to cover a receiver one on one this week, which Dallas receiver do you pick? Miles Austin? Dez Bryant? Jason Witten? Tough call. All three are outstanding.
- No updates on the health status of left tackle Jason Peters and defensive end Trent Cole. We will have a much better idea on Wednesday about their chances of playing against Dallas.
- The players are off on Tuesday, their normal day off. They get back into their regular work routine on Wednesday at the NovaCare Complex.
