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NFC East: Philadelphia Eagles preview

Terrell Owens

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Predicted order of finish in the NFC East: First

Coach: Andy Reid, sixth season (51-29).

2003: 12-4 (first in NFC East). Beat Green Bay 20-17 (OT) in NFC divisional playoff; lost to Carolina 14-3 in NFC title game.

Key additions: OG Shawn Andrews, QB Jeff Blake, DE Hugh Douglas, LB Dhani Jones, DE Jevon Kearse, WR Terrell Owens, LB Jeremiah Trotter.

Key losses: DE Marco Coleman, LB Carlos Emmons, RB Duce Staley, CB Bobby Taylor, WR James Thrash, CB Troy Vincent, OG John Welbourn, DT Brandon Whiting, OG Bobbie Williams.

Pre-snap read: After a third straight loss in the NFC title game, the Eagles decided to address their weakness once and for all. Owens, obtained from San Francisco after convoluted negotiations, figures to be the No. 1 receiver QB Donovan McNabb has not had in his five NFL seasons. The Eagles' receivers combined for one catch in the NFC title game, a big reason the team went after the mercurial Owens. The rushing game will depend greatly on the health of Brian Westbrook after the team declined to re-sign Staley and lost Correll Buckhalter to a knee injury. Kearse, who had 47.5 sacks in five years with the Tennessee Titans, is expected to upgrade an inconsistent pass rush and a pass defense that was in the middle of the pack. The defense is relying on young CBs Lito Sheppard and Sheldon Brown, who got experience last season because of injuries to Vincent and Taylor. The team brought back Trotter and Douglas, who replaces injured DE N.D. Kalu.

What to expect: The Eagles are a good bet to get to the NFC title game for a fourth straight season — and just as good a bet to have the season end there for a fourth straight season.

The line on the line: First-rounder Shawn Andrews joins a foursome — LT Tra Thomas, LG Jermane Mayberry, C Hank Fraley, RT Jon Runyan — that has been together since 2000. It's a good run-blocking unit, average protecting for the pass. Grade: B

Offensive leaders
Pos.	Player	2003 statistics
QB	Donovan McNabb	3,216 yds, 16 TD, 11 INT
RB	Brian Westbrook	613 yds, 5.2 avg, 7 TD
WR	Terrell Owens	80 rec, 1,102 yds, 9 TD
WR	Todd Pinkston	36 rec, 575 yds, 2 TD
TE	L.J. Smith	27 rec, 321 yds, 1 TD

Copyright © 2004 The Seattle Times Company

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