NFL Team Preview: EaglesBy Mike Brody The biggest offseason addition for the Philadelphia Eagles was the subtraction of WR Terrell Owens. Owens' departure and the healthy return of QB Donovan McNabb has the Eagles hoping for a return to the form that led them to four straight appearances in the NFC Championship Game and a Super Bowl appearance in 2004. McNabb showed up to camp 20 pounds lighter and looks to be back to Pro Bowl form. With Owens gone, the locker room is united and the team believes in itself again. "This is a Super Bowl team," McNabb declared. "I think that [if] we get back to the form we were at, we can change 6-10 to possibly 13-3 or 14-2 possibly." 
Safety Brian Dawkins echoed McNabb's optimism. "Obviously, last year felt different," Dawkins said. "You can throw that one out. But, every other year besides that one felt the same as I'm feeling right now. We have a chance to do something and take ourselves deep into the playoffs, hopefully, and win it out." Key Additions: WRs Hank Baskett, Jabar Gaffney and Donte' Stallworth, QBs Jeff Garcia and A.J. Feeley, DLs Darren Howard, Ed Jasper and Brodrick Bunkley (rookie), TE Matt Schobel, OT Winston Justice (rookie). Key Subtractions: WRs Owens and Todd Pinkston, QBs Koy Detmer and Mike McMahon, LBs Zeke Moreno and Keith Adams, DE N.D. Kalu. sportsbook odds: The Eagles will be better than last season, but playing in the tough NFC East may prevent them from getting back to the playoffs. wagerweb.com has Philadelphia as +$325 to win the NFC East, +$900 to win the NFC Championship and +$2800 to win Super Bowl XLI. Player to Watch: RB Brian Westbrook makes the Eagles offense go. Like most of the Eagles, he had a subpar year last season but still accounted for 1,233 total yards and seven TDs while playing in only 12 games because of injuries. He's already banged up again, nursing a sprained foot, but Philadelphia coach Andy Reid is optimistic that his No. 1 offensive threat will be ready for the start of the season. Reid said that he personally worked out Westbrook recently and feels like he will be able to start the regular season, barring a setback. Outlook: The Eagles' passing offense was actually 8th in the NFL last season, even with McNabb missing half the season. With a healthy McNabb under center, they should be good again. Philadelphia just added Stallworth for McNabb to throw to as well. The team also bolstered the defensive line through the draft and free agency. While they may not be as good as their Super Bowl team of a few years ago, the Eagles could sneak up on some people and might even contend for the division title. If you're looking for a sleeper team that could give you a nice payout, take a chance on Philly to win the NFC East -- just don't do anything crazy.
--- by Mike Brody at wagerweb.com on September 06, 2006
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