Many people around the League and in the media are predicting the Birds to win the Eastern Division in the NFC. The question is though, can they beat the New York Giants. We will find out on Monday October 22 on a nationally televised game up in the Meadowlands. Me, personally am optimistic. I feel that they still have to find a way to overcome that tough Giants front four as they recked havoc on Donovan and the revamped offensive line last year. The line was still intact from last year until Bubba Miller, the Eagles starting center in all 18 games last season broke his ankle in the last preseason game versus the Jets. The Eagles also have a new receiving corp made up of last year's second round pick Todd Pinkston, this year's first round pick in Freddie Mitchell and the Eagle's free agent James Thrash from the Redskins. Thrash and Pinkston are scheduled to start the season, with Mitchell and Na Brown coming off the bench. The Eagles cut both starters from last year: Torrance Small and Charles Johnson who both were picked up by the New England Patriots.

Andy Reid also drafted Arkansas linebacker Quinton Carver in round two. Carver is expected to begin his rookie season as a backup outside linebacker to Carlos Emmons. He was regarded as one of the top linebackers coming out of last year's draft. Ole Miss defensive end Derrick Burgess, on the other hand, who was drafted in the third round and will see much more action as he, newly acquired N.D. Kalu and Brandon Whiting are all going to see playing time as defensive coordinator Jim Johnson is a big believer in rotating his defensive linemen to keep them as fresh as possible. Other draft choices, especially RB Correll Buckhalter will help backup Duce Staley and Tony Stewart, the tight end from Penn State is also expected to help out in short yardage situations. The only draft pick not expected to see much action is sixth round pick, A.J. Feely, quarterback from the University of Oregon. He slated as the third QB and probally will not see one play this year, unless of course Donovan and Koy both get injured.

I actually was able to see two games this preseason, well only the one that was actually played at the Vet. The game against the Ravens was cancelled. I believe that if the Eagles get used to the traction on the NexTurf, we will get a huge advantage later in the season when the cold air sets in. I don't think the actual surface will cause any major injuries like blown knees and concussions like in the past. In fact, I even will say that now we have the the safest and perhaps the best artificial turf in all of football. The new NexTurf is well padded and will help cusion those major hits that opposing defenses bring to our homefield. The Eagles should gain a major advantage in footing as the other teams will have no experience on this new turf technology. If the Eagles should somehow win the homefield advantage, then they may be the odds on favorites to win the NFC Championship.

With an 11-5 record last year and a star quarterback named Donovan McNabb, the Birds also are a team that the NFL will showcase this season. Of the Eagles 8 home games, 5 of those home games are a 4 o'clock start time. All told, the Eagles will be on national television 8 times already and perhaps another 4 or 5 games could be the featured game at that particular timeslot. Donovan McNabb also has a bobbing head doll out with McDonalds and is set to do commericials for the Cambell's Soup Company and the United Way. It should be a fun season with big games against the Giants, Vikings, Raiders, Rams and Bucs. I predict the Eagles to be 10-6 and if they can beat the Giants will be at least 11-5, perhaps 12-4. Good Luck, and E-A-G-L-E-S "EAGLES".