Eagles Must Topple Giants

The Philadelphia Eagles were not in the lead or within range in the final minutes of just three games last season all losses to the New York Giants. If they are to fulfill their high expectations this year, the Eagles have to beat the Giants for the first time since 1996.

"A lot of people talk about us going to the Super Bowl or winning the division or conference," quarterback Donovan McNabb said. "You can`t become a champion until you knock off the champion. The Giants were the ones that represented our division and we have to go in there and beat those guys, as well as everyone else we play."

After winning just eight games combined the previous two years, the Eagles went 11-5 and won a playoff game over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. But their surprising run ended with a 20-10 loss to the Giants in the NFC semifinals.

Since beating New York 24-0 on Dec. 1, 1996, the Eagles have lost nine straight to the Giants. Six of those losses, however, came during losing seasons.

"We`re a different team than we were previous years, and even last year," Pro Bowl tight end Chad Lewis said. "We have Duce (Staley) back, we have new receivers, it`s a different look on offense."

McNabb was a one-man show in his first full year as a starter, finishing second to St. Louis` Marshall Faulk for NFL MVP. He threw for 3,365 yards and 21 touchdowns, and added a team-high 629 yards rushing and six TDs in the regular season. He also set team records with 569 attempts and 307 completions, and accounted for 75 percent of the offense.

But McNabb won`t have to do it alone anymore. The Eagles added a couple of weapons, signing speedy receiver James Thrash away from Washington and drafting Freddie Mitchell in the first round.

The return of Staley, who went down with a season-ending foot injury in Week 5, takes pressure off the passing game and gives the Eagles more balance.

"To see him back 100 percent has definitely helped us out on the offensive side, as well as on defense," McNabb said. "Any time you have an added weapon to the offense, it provides a threat for defenses, because they can`t blitz every down now, and they can`t have a spy on me. Knowing that he`s back and he`s an effective pass catcher as well as runner is going to present a lot of positives."

The most difficult aspect of Philadelphia`s season might be its schedule, much tougher than last year, when Cleveland and Cincinnati were the final two opponents. The Eagles open at home against St. Louis and play Tampa Bay in Week 2.

Oakland, Minnesota, Seattle, Kansas City and San Francisco also are on the schedule.

"The players have put themselves and coaches have put themselves in the position that they`re not going to sneak up on anybody," coach Andy Reid said. "When people play the Eagles, they know they`re playing a good football team. Now you have to go out and prove yourself each week."

While the offense should be improved by Staley`s return and a new group of receivers, defense remains Philadelphia`s strong point.

The Eagles allowed the fewest points in the NFC at 15.9 per game last season, and sent defensive end Hugh Douglas, middle linebacker Jeremiah Trotter and cornerback Troy Vincent to the Pro Bowl.

Free agent DE N.D. Kalu was brought in to bolster the pass rush, and second-year tackle Corey Simon already has emerged as one of the top players at his position.

The linebacking corps, anchored by Trotter, is solid and deep. Vincent joins cornerbacks Bobby Taylor and Al Harris and free safety Brian Dawkins to form one of the league`s toughest secondaries.

"When you`re able to keep a secondary together, especially one with players as good as us, it`s tremendous," Dawkins said. "We`ve been playing so long, I know their weaknesses sometimes."

(Copyright 2001 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

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Author: 6 ABC - Action News