Three Questions 1. Can Nick Foles continue to impress? The second-year quarterback surprised the league with his strong 2013 season, but there have been a lot of players who dazzled one year and sagged the next. Foles has to become more accurate and make quicker decisions to become a standout. 2. Can the defense improve? The Eagles weren’t awful last year on this side of the ball, but they certainly weren’t able to stymie too many rivals. Only five opponents scored fewer than 20 points last year, and there were times when rival offenses looked as potent as the Eagles’. 3. Will the league catch up to Kelly? One of the big advantages the Eagles had last year was the NFL’s general unfamiliarity with Kelly’s offense. Philadelphia may be more comfortable with it, but the rest of the league has had some time to acclimate. Kelly is still a pretty savvy offensive mind, but it will be interesting to see how opponents combat him in 2014. particularly when it comes to rushing the passer and defending against the pass. Although the team did take some steps to upgrade its secondary and drafted a pass-rushing end, it is largely the same unit that finished 29th in points allowed last year. The switch to a 3-4 brought some personnel issues, and although the team is more comfortable with Davis’ system, it remains to be seen whether Cole will progress in the outside linebacker spot or if Ryans will continue to play well inside the 3-4. Up front, second-year nose tackle Bennie Logan looks to be a keeper, but end Fletcher Cox had a so-so season and must step up this year. Inside backer Mychal Kendricks has the speed to thrive all over the field but needs more consistency, and Connor Barwin continues to be a steady, versatile performer on the outside, opposite Cole. The Eagles are hoping former New Orleans starter Malcolm Jenkins will bring stability to the safety position, a real trouble spot last year. But whether a reliable regular next to him can be found from between secondyear man Earl Wolff and vet Nate Allen remains to be seen. Brandon Boykin is a fine slot corner, but the starting tandem of Cary Williams and Bradley Fletcher doesn’t overwhelm. Defensive Player to Watch Safety was a definite issue for the Eagles last year, and the arrival of Jenkins at the free safetyspot brings hope that Philadelphia won’t be as susceptible to enemy passers, who completed 60.9 percent of their throws last season. During his five years in New Orleans, Jenkins proved to be a solid centerfielder, although he only intercepted six passes—and was a full-time starter his last four seasons. He has good speed and instincts but isn’t the best tackler, something that the team needs on the back line. No matter what Jenkins’ shortcomings may be, the Eagles need him to be a stalwart in a secondary that must get better in order for the team to enjoy more success. By making him one of their two main offseason acquisitions, the Eagles showed that improving the defense was a priority. Jenkins must prove that he was the right move. TEAM ROSTER EAGLES DEPTH CHART OFFENSE QB Nick Foles Mark Sanchez RB LeSean McCoy Darren Sproles WR Riley Cooper, Jordan Matthews Jeremy Maclin, Josh Huff TE Zach Ertz James Casey TE Brent Celek Emil Igwenagu LT Jason Peters Matt Tobin LG Evan Mathis Allen Barbre C Jason Kelce Julian Vandervelde RG Todd Herremans Karim Barton RT Lane Johnson Dennis Kelly DEFENSE DE Cedric Thornton Brandon Bair NT Bennie Logan Damion Square DE Fletcher Cox Vinny Curry OLB Connor Barwin Brandon Graham ILB Mychal Kendricks Emmanuel Acho ILB DeMeco Ryans Jason Phillips OLB Trent Cole Marcus Smith CB Bradley Fletcher Nolan Carroll CB Cary Williams Brandon Boykin S Malcolm Jenkins Chris Maragos S Earl Wolff Nate Allen SPECIAL TEAMS P Donnie Jones K Alex Henery
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