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Philadelphia Eagles preview (No. 15): Summer of change brings expectations
Our 2015 NFL preview series ranks every team, from worst to first. Today: the No. 15 Eagles.
2014 record: 10-6
Head coach: Chip Kelly (third year, 20-12 regular season, 0-1 playoffs)
Key arrivals: Sam Bradford (quarterback), Tim Tebow (quarterback), DeMarco Murray (running back), Ryan Mathews (running back), *Nelson Agholor (wide receiver), Kiko Alonso (linebacker), Byron Maxwell (defensive back)
(*denotes rookie)
Key departures: Nick Foles (quarterback), LeSean McCoy (running back), Jeremy Maclin (wide receiver), Evan Mathis (guard), Todd Herremans (guard), Trent Cole (linebacker), Cary Williams (cornerback)
2015 Schedule (ET):
Sept. 14: at Atlanta, 7:10 p.m.
Sept. 20: Dallas, 4:25 p.m.
Sept. 27: at New York Jets, 1 p.m.
Oct. 4: at Washington, 1 p.m.
Oct. 11: New Orleans, 1 p.m.
Oct. 19: New York Giants, 8:30 p.m.
Oct. 25: at Carolina, 8:30 p.m.
Nov. 1: BYE
Nov. 8: at Dallas, 8:30 p.m.
Nov. 15: Miami, 1 p.m.
Nov. 22: Tampa Bay, 1 p.m.
Nov. 26: at Detroit, 12:30 p.m.
Dec. 6: at New England, 4:25 p.m.
Dec. 13: Buffalo, 1 p.m.
Dec. 20: Arizona, 1 p.m.
Dec. 26: Washington, 8:25 p.m.
Jan. 3: at New York Giants, 1 p.m.
TRAINING CAMP QUESTION: Tebow
OK, it's not a question, but you get the point. No third-string quarterback battle in NFL history will get more media attention than Tim Tebow trying to re-launch his pro career two years removed from being cut in the 2013 preseason by New England. However, this is more than just Tebow's likely last gasp if he can't best Matt Barkley for the job. Should he make the roster, innovative Eagles head coach Chip Kelly could find a way for Tebow to receive snaps as a multipurpose scoring threat on two-point conversion attempts now that extra points are no longer a sure thing following an NFL rule change pushing the kicks back to the 33-yard line.
IF EVERYTHING GOES RIGHT
Bradford stays healthy, plays all 16 games, and proves that his head coach really does know what he's doing. The losses of all those stars on offense is mitigated by their replacements, and DeMarco Murray runs roughshod all over the NFC East. Wideout Jordan Matthews builds on a tremendous rookie campaign, and Nelson Agholor fills in admirably for free-agent departure Jeremy Maclin. The Eagles defense can stand being on the field for 35 minutes a game because Philly always has a lead.
IF EVERYTHING GOES WRONG
Bradford proves to be a bust. Sanchez plays too much -- or gets hurt -- and Tebow actually gets on the field. Say what you will about Kelly's ingenuity, but he can't make Tebow a more accurate passer. The offense fails to build any chemistry because of the roster turnover, and his potpourri of new players turns out to be a bust. The defense is on the field too much and exposed (the offense was on the field for a league-low 26:40 minutes per game last season). The Eagles spiral into a last-place oblivion after two 10-win seasons.
BREAKOUT PLAYER: Wide receiver Josh Huff
While flashing on kickoff returns, Huff contributed little to Philadelphia's passing game in an eight-catch rookie season. The Eagles expect that to change this year with Huff in line for a major role following the departure of Maclin to Kansas City.
CIRCLE THE DATE GAME: vs. Dallas in Week 2 (4:25 p.m. ET/Sept. 20):
Call this the DeMarco Murray Bowl. The Cowboys will be facing Murray for the first time since losing the NFL's reigning rushing leader to Philadelphia in free agency. The divisional rematch between the Eagles and host Cowboys is Week 9 on Sunday Night Football.
ALEX MARVEZ'S PREDICTION: 9-7, second place
It will either be "Fly, Eagles, Fly" or "Crash and burn" after all the offseason changes Chip Kelly made to his roster. Kelly's belief is that a backfield of quarterback Bradford and a trio of rotating running backs (Murray, Ryan Mathews and Darren Sproles) can take the Eagles further than predecessors Nick Foles and LeSean McCoy. Kelly also is betting that Bradford, Murray and Mathews can stay healthy despite a long injury history. Bradford is the biggest gamble after he missed the past 1 1/2 seasons with knee issues. The guard spots on the offensive line are shaky as well following the offseason release of starters Evan Mathis and Todd Herremans. The defensive overhaul also is significant, especially in a secondary that was burned too frequently by deep passes. The biggest addition was Byron Maxwell, who now has the chance to establish himself as a shutdown cornerback and escape the long shadow cast by other Legion of Boom members in Seattle. Kiko Alonso should be a demon at inside linebacker after coming over from Buffalo in the McCoy trade. Still, there's just too much uncertainty in Philadelphia for me to feel confident that the Eagles will be better in 2015 after two straight 10-win seasons under Kelly.
