You know that saying, "the rich keep getting richer?" The Philadelphia Eagles just got a little richer this evening adding another Pro Bowl player to their roster with the addition of former New York Giants wide receiver Steve Smith. This time around it was on the offensive side of the ball.
Up until this point, even with all the acquisitions, trades and utter brilliance on the part of the Eagles' front office I have neglected to say they were Super Bowl favorites. In my opinion, they were the third best team in the NFC behind the Green Bay Packers and New Orleans Saints.
The New Orleans Saints have gone under the radar nationally, for the most part, with the outstanding business they have conducted since the new CBA has been instated. So I gave New Orleans the nod because of Drew Brees and their upgrade at running back when they exported Reggie Bush out of Louisiana and imported Darren Sproles from the San Diego Chargers.
Philadelphia clearly has, without question, taken over the No. 2 spot in the NFC and has probably tied Green Bay, if not surpassed them as favorites coming out of the NFC.
Green Bay are the favorites to represent the NFC in this year's Super Bowl, but the Philadelphia Eagles should now be anointed as the team taking the pole position as favorites. What they have done in the last two-and-a-half weeks may be the best offseason coup of any NFL team in free-agency history.
Philadelphia fans should be applauding their team's management for the astute offseason plans that have been executed thus far.
When was the last time that a team added six Pro Bowl players in one offseason? It has simply been remarkable to watch what this organization has done.
Now, just because you have the best team on paper does not mean it will translate over to the field. I understand that. If that was the case the New York Yankees should have more than 27 World Series championships. However, having the best team on paper certainly does not hurt your chances one iota.
Green Bay won the Super Bowl last year with key players sidelined with injuries throughout the season. Ryan Grant and Jermichael Finley being two of the more crushing blows to the Packers starting lineup.
Two of the bigger arguments for the Green Bay Packers being favorites despite all the moves teams around them have made, like the Philadelphia Eagles, were that they had greater depth at the skill positions on offense and a better defense. In particular, teams would still have to cover their deep receiving corps that includes: Greg Jennings Jordy Nelson, James Jones and Donald Driver.
Green Bay also has one of the best tight ends in the game with Jermichael Finley and a stud at running back with Ryan Grant.
Well the Philadelphia Eagles have now stockpiled their own stable of thoroughbreds at the wide receiver position. DeSean Jackson, Jeremy Maclin, Jason Avant, Riley Cooper and the newly acquired Steve Smith makes for a far more explosive wide receiving corps than the Green Bay Packers.
Philadelphia has their own playmaker at tight end with Brent Celek and a stud at running back with LeSean McCoy. Not to mention a Pro Bowl backup running back in Ronnie Brown, another free-agency pick up.
Andy Reid has always been able to use his offensive weapons schematically over the years, playing to their strengths. This Philadelphia Eagles offense could be the new generation NFL offense.
Vick, McCoy, Jackson, Maclin and Smith all contain gears most players only wish they had. They will make the 2000 St. Louis Rams "greatest show on turf" team look slow in 2011.
If the Philadelphia Eagles make it to Indianapolis for Super Bowl XLVI, they will be running a track meet on that turf and there is not a single team in the NFL that will be able to catch them.
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