Grading the NFC East: PHI QB/RB

I want to take a break from the game analysis series that I have been doing and take this oppurtunity to break down the NFC East. I'm not talking about simply predicting how the schedule will play out or the final standings of the NFC East, either. What we will do here is assign a number grade to each player projected to make the 53 man roster from each of the four NFC East teams. With the number grade, rationate will be provided for assigned grades. These grades only reflect this year's ratings. For example, Reggie Brown is rated as a "3", but the expectation here is that Brown will eventually become a "4". We will see how each of the team's units compare by adding up the total number of points from each player in that unit. The first installment will cover the Eagles quarterbacks and running backs.

Quarterback

Donovan McNabb (5)

This time last season, McNabb scoring a "5" in these rankings would have been a slam dunk. This season, however, coming off a season ending injury and losing Terrell Owens are both causes for a debate over the quarterback's rating. The feeling here is that McNabb will handle the pressure of this season quite well and rebound nicely from his disasterous 2005 campaign. McNabb is still the best quarterback in the NFC, not Matt Hasselbeck. Carson Palmer (if healthy), Peyton Manning, and Tom Brady are the only quarterbacks in the NFL that should be ranked ahead of him. This is a critical season for Donovan McNabb, one in which he must prove himself all over again, but until further notice McNabb's entire body of work warrants this ranking.

Jeff Garcia (3)

Jeff Garcia provides a quality backup option for the Eagles should Donovan McNabb get hurt, something that the team lacked last season with Mike McMahon. Garcia, a former Pro Bowl quarterback, isn't the player that he once was, but is a more than servicable backup. Despite lacking a big arm, Garcia is an accurate passer, thus making him effective in the west coast offense. The short to mid-range passing game is Garcia's strength as a quarterback. Despite entering the 2006 season at 36- years old, Garcia can still make plays with his legs.

Koy Detmer (1)

Detmer knows the system, but beyond that the Eagles third string quarterback doesn't bring much to the table for his team. Detmer lacks both the arm strength and size to be an effective quarterback in this league. It is over for Koy Detmer. It's just a hunch at this point that the Eagles will retain him, but that is a mistake. Certainly, I'm not saying that Timmy Chang is the answer, either, but the Eagles need to go in a different direction here.

Quarterback rating: 9 Points


Running Backs

Brian Westbrook (3.5)

Some may argue that this ranking is too low for Westbrook, but until he can show the ability to stay healthy a full season, he does not deserve a "4" ranking. Brian Westbrook is one of the more versatile running backs in the league and is a headache for defensive coordinators around the league. He is a solid ball carrier, but Westbrook's real strength lies in his ability to catch the ball out of the backfield. Although Donovan McNabb's success directly correlates with his team's success, Brian Westbrook may be just as important to the Eagles fortunes this season.

Ryan Moats (2.5)

Ryan Moats showed both hard running and big play capability in his rookie year with the Eagles. Now, Moats most show that his rookie season was not a fluke and take his game to the next level. Moats has the ability to run for 500 yards for this team if he receives 8-10 carries a game. That's a big if, however. Moats must show a dramatic improvement in both catching the football and blocking in order to warrant a higher rating and really take his game to the next level.

Bruce Perry (2)

Perry was very good in a limited oppurtunity returning kicks last season. He also ran the ball effectively in his handful of carries in 2005. Perry has a chance to be a little bit of a sleeper here. Drafted in the 7th round, the former ACC player of the year will have a chance to play a large role in the Eagles offense this season. Perry is a decent blocker and is thought to be as much of a "big back" as the Eagles have. Perry has the ability to gain somewhere between 300-450 yards if Moats and Westbrook stay healthy and is used as a third running back. Here is another player that could warranty a higher rating at season's end, but right now this is what he gets.

Reno Mahe (1)

Jack of all trades, master of none. Mahe is an OK blcoker, can catch the ball, and knows the scheme. He lacks ability though, so he warrants this grade. How many more years is this guy going to find a way to stick around on the roster?