EAGLEMANIACAL.com

MY Pre-Draft prediction, for who I think will win the NFC East, surprised some people. And so far at this point I see no reason to back down from what I said. All the early indicators are still pointing in the same direction. That of course, was the offseason, and the offseason is no time to takes sides, since no one is doing shit anyway. I try to keep it as unbiased as possible during the offseason since information is scarce and even fans of rival teams visit this website.

So that prediction was just me calling it like I see it; but I’m sure you know that just because you see something coming doesn’t mean that you like it. Frankly, I don’t like what I see coming and I’m hoping that I’m wrong. I’ve already said that if I’m wrong, I’m willing to admit it publicly, and even on my own site.

However now that Training Camp is coming up there is PLENTY of reason to take sides. There are guys you hope make it and guys you hope get cut. There are battles you look forward to, and a chance to see players show that they’ve grown.

There’s also my favorite part of TC: Positional study. I of course look at each position, but every year there are between one and three positions that I study maniacally. This year those positions will be Guard, Center, and Outside Linebacker.

Guard for obvious reasons, since the loses of Evan Mathis and Todd Herremans means two new starters. I can’t say at this point that I’m pulling for any player in particular to win a starting role since I’m on record as saying that I don’t think much of any of the Guards on our roster.

Center is a less obvious one. The typical fan assumption is that starter Jason Kelce will step up and help the new Guards until they get settled in as starters. I on the other hand am very concerned about not just the interior Offensive Line’s run blocking, but also their ability to establish and hold an area for our QB’s to step up into while in pass protection.

Outside Linebacker, is more just me seeing if Brandon Graham can give us anything new in coverage underneath now that he’s the starter. Also, whether and how often they bring in Marcus Smith (remember him?), are also of huge interest to me.

So the time for being a primarily unbiased information source is about to be on hold until next offseason. The time for actively rooting for my team and against my own prediction, approaches. I for one, can’t wait.