Fed up in Philly

Low-flying Eagles have nowhere to go but up

Spreading his wings: How long before rookie quarterback Donovan McNabb takes flight? Ezra O. Shaw/Allsport

The Philadelphia Eagles, atrocious last season, open their 1999 training camp at Lehigh University in Bethlehem, Pa., on July 28. Here are a few questions from Sports Illustrated's Dr. Z, followed by CNNSI.com's perspective on some of the issues facing the Eagles this season. SI's season preview will debut August 24.

Dr. Z wants to know:

1) Was owner Jeff Lurie taking a daring gamble, bringing in ex-Packers quarterback coach Andy Reid -- now the only head coach in pro football who was never an NFL coordinator or collegiate head man? Or was Lurie just saving money?

2) How long will Reid's former Green Bay backup QB, Doug Pederson, keep the job warm for top draft Donovan McNabb? Another quarterback controversy? Uh-uh, can't get excited about this one.

3) Can a rookie QB light a fire under an offense with very few skilled performers, an attack that -- get ready now ...

a) Posted a lower scoring average per game (10.06 points) than any Eagle team in 59 years;

b) Failed to score a TD in six games; and

c) Finished last in the league in total yards and yards passing?

The Eagles might make the playoffs if: Reid successfully implements the timing passing game he learned in Green Bay, with Pederson running the show; new wide receivers Charles Johnson and Torrance Small provide a deep threat and thus bolster the NFL's 30th-ranked offense (which was also last in passing) and the defense, which finished last in the league with 17 takeaways and 29th in interceptions (with nine), finds a few playmakers.

Eagles Facts 1998 record: 3-13 (fifth in NFC East) Coach: Andy Reid (first season as NFL head coach) Stadium: Veterans Stadium (65, 352, artificial) 1998 rankings: Offense -- 14th run, 30th pass, 30th overall. Defense -- 27th vs. run, 1st vs. pass, 17th overall. Depth chart 1998 results 1998 player statistics 1999 schedule CNN/SI Projection: 4-12

Pivotal games: Sept. 26 at Buffalo; Nov. 28 at Washington. This should tell you something about how ugly the schedulemakers figure Philadelphia football to be this season: The Eagles play in the early slot for every game but the Dec. 5 contest with Arizona (and that's not in prime time). They also take a two-year road winless streak into Buffalo. And even if they establish some momentum in the soft center of their schedule, they play at Washington, Arizona and Dallas in succession late in the year.

Player on the hot seat: The Philly faithful booed top draft pick Donovan McNabb before he even put on his new Eagles cap, serenading the future franchise QB with chants of "We want Ricky [Williams]." Even Philly's mayor led a rally in support of the Heisman winner. McNabb (eventually) inherits the worst offense in the league, but will likely sit and watch this season, learning the ins and outs of the West Coast offense while Pederson plays caretaker. But Eagles fans aren't known for their patience, and the pressure is already palpable.

Up-and-comer: Tra Thomas. Thomas started at left tackle as a rookie in '98 and had a promising first season. With his size (6'7", 349) and athleticism, he should be a pillar of the line and an effective guardian for Pederson or McNabb. Thomas needs to improve his run blocking and get more physical.

Player Movement Unrestricted Free Agents Restricted Free Agents Players Lost Jamie Asher, TE, from Wash. Eric Bieniemy, RB, from Cin. Tim Hauck, S, from Ind. Charles Johnson, WR, from Pitt. Sean Landeta, P, from G.B. Lonnie Palelei, G, from NYG Doug Pederson, QB, from G.B. Torrance Small, WR, from Ind. Mark Wheeler, DT, from N.E. Aaron Hayden, RB, re-signed Andrew Jordan, TE, re-signed Mike Mamula, DE, re-signed Jason Dunn, TE, re-signed Bobby Hoying, QB, re-signed Dietrich Jells, WR, re-signed Steve Martin, DT, re-signed Bubba Miller, C, re-signed Morris Unutoa, C, re-signed Barrett Brooks, T, Det.

1999 Draft Picks Round Overall Pick Player Pos School 1 2 Donovan Mcnabb QB Syracuse 2 35 Barry Gardner ILB Northwestern 3 64 Doug Brzezinski OG Boston College 4 97 John Welbourn OG California 4 128 Damon Moore S Utah State 4 130 Na Brown WR North Carolina 6 172 Cecil Martin FB Wisconsin 6 201 Troy Smith WR East Carolina 7 208 Jed Weaver TE Oregon 7 251 Pernell Davis DT UAB