updated 6/13/00

    Here is my position-by-position overview of the 2000 Eagles.

( / = grade is in the range indicated based on potential to improve
      during the season)

Quarterbacks: C+/B+
------------
    Donovan McNabb showed promise at the end of 1999, and his arm (and
legs) will lead the offense in 2000. Doug Pederson and Koy Detmer will
compete for backup spots. Ron Powlus will be given a shot in the NFL-
Europe to see if he will be considered in the back-up QB competition.
Travis Brown will likely be on the practice squad if he shows any
potential.

Running Backs: B+/A+
-------------
    Duce Staley will carry the load again after back-to-back 1000 yard
seasons. Stanley Pritchett has been signed to be the veteran lead blocker/
receiver that the WCO needs to function properly. Cecil Martin will 
continue to be develope as a complete fullback, and after starting several
games in 1999 will be looked upon to be a more effective receiver in 2000.
Brian Mitchell will be the primary backup and situational third down back.
If the Eagles keep 5 running backs, draft pick Thomas Hamner would likely
be the one to stick... if not, look for him to be signed to the practice
squad.

Wide Receivers: C-/B
--------------
    Charles Johnson didnt get to work much with McNabb, suffering a season
ending knee injury right when McNabb became the starter. He has been
making up for lost time though, spending all off-season working out and
practicing with McNabb. Torrance Small came on pretty good at the end of
the year, and Na Brown did well in limited time. Todd Pinkston can flat
out run and has great hands & toughness. Dameane Douglas, Troy Smith,
Elijah Thurmon and Alex Van Dyke will compete for a roster spot (maybe 2)
with draft pick Gari Scott who holds the edge because of his return abilities.

Tight Ends: C-/B
----------
    Chad Lewis is the current starting TE and Jeff Thomason was brought in to
contend for the starting job as an experienced WCO TE. Mike Bartrum will stick
as the long-snapping specialist. Luther Broughton and Jed Weaver will fight it
out for the remaining remaining TE spot.

Offensive Line: B/A
--------------
    Thomas(LT), Brzezinski(LG), Miller(C), Mayberry(RG) and Runyan(RT)
look to be the starters, but expect 2nd round draft pick Bobby Williams to
challenge for the RG spot. John Welbourn will be the primary backup at tackle.
Lonnie Palelei can back up at either guard or tackle. The rest of the depth will
be sorted out in training camp battles. John Romero will be given every shot to
win the backup center spot in competition with Eugene Chung. Oliver Ross and
Jon Blackman return from year-long starting stints in the NFL- Europe to challenge
for backup jobs.

Defensive Line: C+/A
--------------
    With the return of a healthy Hugh Douglas, the d-line is in better
shape than it ended last season. Mamula seemed to really pick up his
level of play as the year wore on. You can insert #1 pick Corey Simon
into the right DT spot, with Hollis Thomas anchoring the LDT spot. Brandon
Whiting and Paul Grasmanis are likely to stick and be involved in the tackle
rotation. Pernell Davis will be fighting with another long shot, Kelly Gregg,
to make the roster, but after a dissapointed NFL-Europe likely wont make the cut.
At end Tyrone Williams and draft pick John Frank as well as free agent rookie
Dwight Johnson will compete for one or two backup DE spots behind Douglas, Mamula
and Jefferson. Linebackers Al Wallace and Ike Reese will occaisonally line up as
rush ends.
    
Linebackers: B-/A+
-----------
    Gardner(WLB) and Trotter(MLB) are two young guys who are here to stay
as evidenced by their play in 1999. Carlos Emmons supplants William Thomas
at the stong side spot. Emmons is bigger and younger and has played at
a higher level over the last two years. Mike Caldwell is a solid veteran
who can play anywhere and Ike Reese is a solid special teamer and sit-
uational pass rusher. James Darling will have his make or break year
(Eagles-wise) in 2000. If he can beat out Gardner for a starting spot,
the Eagles will sign him long term... if not, he's likely gone. Al
Wallace will see more time at linebacker this year, mostly as a stand-up
outside pass-rush specialist.

Cornerbacks: B-/A+
-----------
    Troy Vincent and Bobby Taylor make up one of the best cornerback 
duos in the league, and emerging Al Harris is a solid cover man and a
hard hitter at the nickle spot. Allen Rossum who is a solid return man
and will hold down the 4th CB spot and kick-off return duties.

Safeties: B-/A
--------
    Brian Dawkins is gaining recognition as a great, young, free safety.
He is a ball hawk and a hard hitter. There will be some competition for
the starting strong safety spot among Damon Moore and Rashard Cook who
looked pretty good at the end of the year. Both players now how a full
season and off-season to have become better adjusted to the system and 
pro game. The Eagles are looking at re-signing capable Tim Hauck or 
beinging in another veteran to provide depth at safety until Cook and/or
Moore are more proven.
 
Kicking: B+
-------
    Sean Landetta will likely be the punter again, and he did a solid
job in 1999. The kicking carousel will hopefully come to an end. It
is doubtful that the Eagles will keep two kickers again... Akers or
some other kicker will end up with sole responsibilites.

Special Teams: B+/A+
-------------
    The coverage units were solid again in 1999, and the kick return
game was above average. Punt returns will be improved with the addition of
Brian Mitchell. Gari Scott will be brought along and tutored by Mitchell as
a punt returner. Allen Rossum is an above average kickoff return man, but
will share some time with Mitchell on kick-off returns to provide a real
threat on every kick-off return.

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