Every year there are questions surrounding not only the team as a whole, but each player individually.
These questions are the ones that will determine the player's year, or rather, the answers will determine the year.
The defense has a ton of expectations to meet not only for themselves as a unit, but individually and to the fans, media, and coaches. The answers to the questions as individuals will shape the defense as a whole.
Trent Cole
Q: Can he become the great pass-rusher that he has shown flashes of becoming?
A: Overall, I would say that Trent Cole is a top five defensive end in the league. If not, he's sure close to it. However that's overall play, as a pass-rusher he may not make it into the top ten. He's got to prove that he can beat the great left tackles in this league before he's called a great pass-rusher. He's got Jordan Gross Week 1.
Mike Patterson
Q: Can he step up his game even further, finding himself in the Pro Bowl?
A: He was on the verge of a Pro Bowl last year, so I would say it's reasonable to expect a Pro Bowl-caliber season out of him again this year. He's really stepped up his play in the middle, he just needs to become a bit more consistent rushing the passer.
Brodrick Bunkley
Q: Can Bunkley becoming the inside pass rush the Eagles expected him to become?
A: With the weight that he's put on to become the run-stuffer that he is, I don't see it happening. He's still got a decent inside push, but I don't see him becoming a Corey Simon-type pass-rushing tackle. However if he can keep plugging the run the way he has, he'll hear no complaints from me.
Juqua Parker
Q: Can he fend off Abiamiri and keep his starting job again in 2009?
A: I believe that he can. Honestly I thought he might have kept his job even before Abiamiri got injured. But now with Abiamiri down until mid-August, the job is Parker's. I don't believe that the Eagles coaching staff feels they can rely on Abiamiri anymore as this is his second untimely injury in as many years.
Darren Howard
Q: Can he ignore his age and have another superb year rushing the passer?
A: As long as Howard is only relied upon for about 15 snaps a game, I think he can keep this up for another year. He showed last year that he's able to transition from being a speed-rusher to finding ways to beat guys with great defensive moves. Whether lined up at end or tackle, Howard gets the job done.
Trevor Laws
Q: Can he pushed Bunkley and Patterson for more playing time?
A: In his second year, the Eagles certainly hope so. He wasn't brought in to start any games, but with the rotation that the Eagles run they would certainly love for him to command about the same amount of time throughout the game. I'm not sure if he's ready for that much time, but he'll see a significant increase in time this year.
Dan Klecko
Q: Can he show that he belongs on this team?
A: Unfortunately Klecko may be the victim of a numbers game. The Eagles probably don't want to keep four DT's, so Klecko is going to have to show that his versatility makes him too valuable of a commodity. That means perhaps showing the he can rush the passer and still play some offense in an emergency situation.
Victor Abiamiri
Q: Can he get healthy and show that he has what it takes to start in this league?
A: The Eagles coaching staff seems willing to hand him the job, but he keeps hurting himself and showing that he can't be trusted to stay healthy. I don't see him starting this year, but if he takes advantage of the snaps that he does get, he could certainly become a starter for the 2010 season.
Bryan Smith
Q: Is he too small to be playing defensive end in the NFL?
A: Out of a tiny school, McNeese State if I'm not mistaken, Smith dominated against inferior talent, and size. At 6'1 and about 235 pounds he's built more like a linebacker, and more be forced to move if he wants to keep a job in the NFL. He didn't see a single snap last year, but I see that changing in '09.
Chris Clemons
Q: Can he take some time away from the starters on either end?
A: Clemons showed flashes of the player that the Eagles thought they were getting in the offseason last year at the end of the season, and they're hoping he can carry that momentum over into this season. He's a great speed presence on the edge and I do believe will see some significant playing time in '09.
Chris Gocong
Q: Can he take the next step in becoming a great linebacker?
A: Gocong has shown that he's a solid linebacker, but not much more than that. He's a pretty sure tackler and isn't bad in coverage, but he hasn't shown a real strength area. After racking up 23.5 sacks (in one year) at Cal-Poly, he hasn't been used much on the blitz. From what we've seen, Gocong may be close to his ceiling.
Stewart Bradley
Q: Can he become the next great Eagles middle linebacker?
A: The Eagles have a history of some good middle linebackers in Jeremiah Trotter, Chuck Bednarik, and Byron Evans. A lot of people expect Bradley to be added to that list. He has the skill, the size, and the intelligence to make it happen, and I believe that he will. He's got the factors, once he puts them together it will be special.
Akeem Jordan
Q: Can he progress enough to keep his starting spot in 2009?
A: Jordan supplanted Omar Gaither last season after the "Baltimore Debacle" and never looked back. He played very well, but Gaither is a guy who has started here before and in order to keep him on the bench Jordan will have to show that he's polished in his knowledge of the playbook and his skill on the field.
Tank Daniels
Q: Can Daniels steal some time away from Gocong?
A: Daniels, in his second stint with the Eagles, has always been primarily a special teams guy. He said this year, however, he wants to see some time at linebacker. I like him as an athlete, but not having seen him play the position, we don't know if he put that athleticism to use. If Gocong doesn't step up, I'd like to see Daniels get a shot.
Joe Mays
Q: Can Mays make his mark on special teams and maybe earn some defensive time?
A: "The Headbuster," as he's called in the locker room, made a few heads turn with his crushing hits in last year's preseason, but unfortunately for him that only equated to special teams time. Mays is a hard-hitting guy who can play fast, but having Bradley in front of him hurts. He may have to move to the outside to see some time.
Omar Gaither
Q: Can he push Akeem Jordan out and earn his starting spot again?
A: For my money, I like Gaither out at the WILL more than I like Jordan. I think Jordan is a good player, but Gaither has been starting somewhere on this linebacking corps since his rookie year, so he knows what he's doing. He's an experienced guy that I think a young group really needs on the field.
Asante Samuel
Q: Can he dive deeper into the system and play even better than he did in '08?
A: I absolutely believe that we'll see an even better year out of Samuel. Yes the defense may change a bit, but it's basically the same thing with McDermott. Another year in the defense gives Samuel a complete understanding of it and will allow him to take more chances and make some bigger and better plays in '09.
Ellis Hobbs
Q: Can Hobbs show that he deserves to start, or is he destined for the nickel?
A: I think even with Sheldon Brown being unhappy about his deal, he will remain the starter opposite Samuel, and rightfully so. However with Hobbs the Eagles are in great position with their corners. They will have a former number two guy in Hobbs playing the nickel, and a nickel guy in Joselio Hanson playing the dime. They should be set.
Joselo Hanson
Q: Can he challenge Hobbs for the nickel position?
A: He may see some time in the nickel, but I do think he will primarily be relegated to dime duties. He showed a lot of promise last season, but all of the guys in front of him are established vets. Of course, the Eagles are paying him $5 million a year, and may not want that sitting the bench. Expect a rotation, with Hobbs getting the majority.
Sheldon Brown
Q: Can he put his contract squabbles aside and have another successful year?
A: A lot of times players with contract squabbles go to one extreme or the other. Either they play the greatest season of their career, or the worst. Brown seems like a guy who's leaning towards the first option simply because that's his character, but who would be surprised to see the latter? This is why Hobbs is an Eagle.
Macho Harris
Q: Is he a cornerback, or is he a safety?
A: Personally I think I'd like Harris at safety, but the Eagles are going to give him an opportunity at corner. If he can't stick with the guys on the edge, they'll most certainly move him inside and groom his at free safety.
Quintin Mikell
Q: Can he step up and fill the leadership void left by Brian Dawkins?
A: Absolutely. Mikell is not the vocal leader that Dawkins is/was, but he will lead by example. He's a hard-hitting, physical kind of guy and that always has an impact on the other ten guys with whom he's playing. I expect Mikell to earn his first Pro Bowl nod, and perhaps even an All-Pro team appearance.
Sean Jones
Q: Can he show that he deserves time at either free or strong safety?
A: If the Eagles are smart, they'll move Mikell to his natural position at free safety and insert a proven guy like Jones as the starter at strong safety. 14 picks over three years doesn't lie, the guy is an absolutely ballhawk. I would love to see him on the field as much as possible.
Rashad Baker
Q: Can Baker push Quintin Demps/Sean Jones for some playing time or backup role?
A: Baker is a hero in Philadelphia before he stepped foot in the city. He was the guy who picked off Jeff Garcia last year, ensuring a Raiders win and an Eagles playoff berth. However, Baker will have to fight just to stay on this team. I'm not sure that he'll make it with Macho Harris probably becoming a safety.
Jack Ikegwuonu
Q: Can he put his legal troubles aside and show all the talent he supposedly has?
A: Icky is the most perplexing player on this team. From what we've heard, he should have been a first-round pick, but the injury prevented that. His legal troubles are behind him, and now he has to show that potential. Who knows what he will do, but hopefully he comes to camp focused and with a chip on his shoulder.
Quintin Demps
Q: Can he put a bad NFC Championship game behind him and earn a starting spot?
A: I like Demps, but as I said with Sean Jones, I don't believe it's his time. I think Jones should start at strong with Mikell at free, leaving Quintin Demps as a backup to both guys, and the starter as kick returner. He will eventually be a starter, and a good one, but he's a bit young and there are some better options at this point.
