'Tis the Make-or-Break Season

Local experts make their Eagles predictions.

by Brian Hickey

The Sixers and Flyers both blew this year, and the Phillies are already donning their plaid skirts and knee-highs to play their annual role of Tempting 'Lil Tease who, in the end, does nothing but turn the whitest of balls blue.

So, are we yet again ramping up with unrealistic expectations that'll leave hearts broken come January (or mouths filled with puke in February)? Or is this, the 2007-08 season, finally The Year?

Damned if I know whether Donovan's newly found edge (and freshly rebuilt knee) will lead the Eagles to sweet salvation. As a fan, I can only offer my opinions, but if you want to know what the experts think, you've come to the right place. CP's convened a panel — Ray Didinger, Ed Rendell, superfan Shaun Young, Big Daddy Graham and yours truly —  to prognosticate on some of this season's more pressing pigskin matters.

So, read on, firm up those Sunday plans and repeat after me ... E-A-G-L-E-S, Eagles!

Click to read the panel's thoughts.

Bonus online content:
Shaun Young's got more passion that can be contained on newsprint, so here are his extended answers to the Birds' grid questions.

4. Sav Rocca will be a surprise only because Dirk Johnson is a proven commodity to the Eagles coaches and has done a decent job for a few years now. Sav is a much bigger/stronger punter. His leg strength is amazing, but has some issues with consistency. He has the approval of David Akers with the holding portion of the trio ... Akers/Rocca/Dorenbos.That is key.He has done a nice job so far and will only get better in time if he wins the job.

Plus, not that this is an issue for the coaches to look at, but Rocca has already won the hearts of many fans when he took a nasty/dirty hit and jumped right up and laughed it off. His comments after the game: "If that is the best he has [player who hit him], then good luck to him."Gotta love that attitude, especially from a position many believe isn't even really a football player.

5. Due to injuries in three of the last five seasons and salary due next season and season after, Donovan McNabb could be replaced by [second-round] pick Kevin Kolb. No question Kevin was picked to replace Donovan in time; that happens to everyone. But, he was picked with their first pick in the draft.Writing on the wall? Who knows.

Now, these comments are not wishes of mine.They are just speculations that have come up since the draft and since Donovan has begun to talk outside of the organization when he hired Rich Burg to be his public relations rep.I personally hope that as long as Donovan is healthy and playing well —and winning the Super Bowl PLEASE!!!!!!! — he should be our quarterback.Kevin is young and has some time to learn.I do believe he has the mentality to be a quick learner and will be a damn good QB when his time comes.

The other name mentioned has been Jevon "Freak" Kearse.His knee injury and weight loss has many Eagles fans uneasy about his future.I do believe he will be quicker, but will he have enough strength to blow through/over a tackle when needed? He says he is ready and healthy, so who am I to say he isn't until the games begin?

Both names mentioned are names I hope as an Eagles fan will be here for at least a few more years.

6. Surprise team: I say Arizona.They have a good young, talented quarterback in Leinart and a pro bowl running back, and two terrific wide receivers in Fitzgerald and Bolton. Defense has buffered itself over the offseason. Could be an interesting team to watch.

7. Disappointing team could be Chicago. Coming off a Super Bowl appearance, they could stumble in the hands of quarterback Rex Grossman. Last season, he was lucky enough to have a tremendous defense and a returner who put points on the board six times without the offense having to step on the field.I do believe the defense will be good again and Hester is the real deal, but I believe opposing defenses will not allow Grossman to get away lucky one more season and not only not win games, but to not lose them.His mistakes last season were overlooked by his teammates' terrific play.