The last football game was on February 3rd. The last 2 teams standing? New England and the New York Giants, in other words…one is a team that has absolutely nothing likable about them, with a quarterback on more fashion magazine covers than football articles, with a seemingly bandwagon heavy fan base, and let’s not forget they did manage a 3 point victory over the Eagles in the big game a few years back. The other is a hated division rival, behind only Dallas in that category, who Eagles fans see twice a year, and have NFC East bragging rights. Wow. Last season really ended badly, what a terrible taste it’s left in Eagles fans mouths. But finally, finally finally finally, after almost 6 months of NBA playoffs (mediocre) and the dog days of summer baseball, football is inching its way back. Training camp: two words that signal the beginning of the next year of pigskin. Two words that mean the Eagles, like everyone else, are coming together after months apart, to start the journey yet again. The Eagles begin training camp at Lehigh tomorrow with rookies and selected veterans reporting. A few thoughts heading into football season…

DeSean Jackson officially signed with the team today to a 4-year deal. The wideout, kick returner, punt returner, magician’s signing leaves only Trevor Laws to be inked by the organization. This guy is no joke, he was a Pac-10 and national standout for not only his receiving skills but his spectacular special teams work. A glimpse:

This is important for 2 big reasons. The first reason why signing the rookie is that he should have a much more level head and it gives me hope about his noted cocky attitude. It’s no secret that athletes, not just in football, holdout for much more money than they deserve these days. With this signing, he’s getting his money and now he can play football. He has a lot to learn and these next few weeks and preseason games will be priceless in his learning process as a player in the National Football League.

The second reason why this signing really is key is weeks 1, 2, …well, pretty much every week last year for the Eagles special teams. Watching the bobbled punt returns during the opening game in Green Bay was painful, and it become a recurring theme throughout the season. The Eagles were last or near last in the entire league for numerous statistical special teams categories. People don’t give as much credit to special teamers as they should. Starting with the ball consistently on your own 45 gives you such a huge advantage as opposed to starting at your own 20 or 25. Football is a game of inches, but it’s also a game of field position. When the Eagles get in those defensive battles where punting and returning becomes so key, they need someone who can give them those extra 10 to 15 yards (or more hopefully).

In another realm of Eagles business heading to camp, it’s been widely reported that Eagles offense, or, running back, Brian Westbrook wants a new contract. You might be scratching your head, thinking…didn’t he just sign a contract in the past few years? The answer is yes, in 2005, but I’ll get to that later. Fast forward to today and Brian Westbrook fired his agent in hopes of getting a new deal done before camp. Let’s just thank whatever high spirit you believe in that he hasn’t hired Rosenhaus as his agent like teammate Lito Sheppard did, that’s a nightmare in itself. But let’s get to the nuts and bolts of this: Brian Westbrook is one of the best players in the NFL, hands down. He is without a doubt the key to the Eagles offensive scheme and they go only as far as he can go. But flash back to November of 2005 when Westbrook wanted a better deal and the Eagles…well they gave it to him as he wanted. I understand where he’s coming from when he says he believes he has outplayed the quality of that deal, but I hate to tell him, things don’t always work like what you’re talking about Brian. Does he want to sign yearly contracts here? I’m just not sure he understands what he’s demanding. In 2005, just a few seasons back, he signed a big deal for a lot of cash. Now, if this deal was coming to a near close or if he was underwhelming in his performance (neither is happening), that would be a different story. Yes, the guy is behind only Tomlinson on San Diego in total yards the past few years, we all know his value. But you can’t keep asking for a new deal every couple of years, it looks bad and its slightly ridiculous and possibly unprofessional. Eagles management has stated that if Brian were to play halfway through this year (which would be more than halfway through his contract) and met expectations, they would be more than willing to sit down and work out a deal in November. Is 3 months of this year too much to ask? Listen, he’s a great player but he is 29 years old with a knee problem. And let’s face it, 29 gives him 3, maybe 4 more quality years at his grueling position in this league. It would be dangerous and foolish for the Eagles brass to just throw money at him right now. Play the next few months, show your worth as you have done so much, and then get your big money (again). Recent reports have said the sides are working for a deal now, which would be great just to put this on the back burner and get him playing football. We’ll all be keeping an eye on it for sure. Hell, I have to put one highlight in here for him:

If you dont love the play at the 40 second mark, you probably aren’t an Eagles fan or a fan of terrific football..

With the Jackson and Westbrook issues touched on, I give you a brief outlook, my first one, of the upcoming 2008 season. I’ve been a firm believer of the following: if the Giants team of 2007 can win it all, why can’t this Eagles team? We’re talking a team with a nasty defense in all respects. Trent Cole coming around the end for the sack. Mike Patterson and Brodrick Bunkley growing into star roles even more. The rotation on the line of Abiamiri and sack specialist Chris Clemons. A group of stud linebackers, young ones, led by Omar Gaither and each with a fantastic upside. Finally, we’re talking about a downright amazing secondary. The Eagles last line of defense is going to be fantastic, with or without Lito. Sheldon Brown is one of the most underrated players in the league in my view, and the guy on the left? A multiple Super Bowl champion and interception machine…Asante Samuel. Throw in future Hall of Famer Brian Dawkins (who might be in his last year unfortunately) and a revolving door of strong safeties that can all get the job done, and you have a shutdown defense.

Well, what of the offense? This could also be one of the last years, if not the last, with William (still weird not calling him Tra) Thomas and Jon Runyan playing the tackles together. Their outstanding production should not falter and with ‘the Big Kid’ Shawn Andrews in there too, you have yourself an offensive line to be reckoned with. Brian Westbrook, as noted, is one of the best and most versatile players in the game. Split him out, put him in the I-formation, it doesn’t matter, the results are the same: first downs and 7 points. Kevin Curtis had a career year and Reggie Brown is good, not great, but should give you decent numbers. L.J. Smith is in a contract year so I expect the fumble machine to play past any previous year before he potentially leaves, and if not there’s 2nd year man Brent Celek who isn’t too bad himself. All of that means next to nothing if you don’t mention the oversensitive number 5 himself: Donovan McNabb. A pro-bowler, an NFC champion, he is still one of the top quarterbacks in the NFL when healthy. Fans will bitch and moan when he throws his bullets at receivers feet from time to time (myself included). They will call for his head (or for Kevin Kolb) when the Eagles lose: admit it, he’s the easiest scapegoat. But they will eat their words when, if healthy, he returns to form like he should. I’m talking pro-bowl form, Super Bowl caliber form, the kind of quarterback this team needs.

It’s not going to be an easy road, it never is. Look at the Patriots last year. They made it look easy the whole time only to lose when it truly mattered. Eagles fans…the most important thing are those 2 words I mentioned earlier: training camp. It’s finally here, football has finally arrived. It’s another chance at the dream, and that’s all we know in Philly. Here’s to a great, injury free, start to the 2008 season.

I cant help myself, this is getting me pumped…check it out and enjoy!