If you thought signing Clemons was a surprise - just wait till you see him play.
By Mike Gill
As I am sitting here watching the women’s 20 K walk, where competitors must circle a track 50 times – an event where the main rule requires that at least one foot remain on the ground at all times. I could not believe what I was watching and thankfully, my mind started to revert back to the Eagles.
The fact that this is a Olympic sport surprised me so much that I came up with five Eagles players that won’t surprise me, but may surprise you and have a great 2008.
1. DeSean Jackson – He really doesn’t have a choice now, with the injury to Kevin Curtis, the Eagles will almost have to make him a bigger part of the offense. Most NFL fans assumed he would be a instant success in the punt return game, but now he might be to oimportant to use in that role.
Projection : 48 catches, 750 yards, 5 TD
2. Chris Clemons – Eagles fans may be frustrated with him right now, but the kid had had some bad luck. He can rush the QB and I assume Jim Johnson has a plan for him – you don’t give someone $4-million guranteed that you don’t have a plan for. I think by week four he is the talk of the defense, you’ll hear on Monday morning, “Did you see that Clemons sack?”
Projection : 42 Tackles, 8.5 sacks, 2 FF
3. Lorenzo Booker - After his first few days at Lehigh, Eagles fans had high hopes for the smallish running back. After two games in the preseason, we haven’t heard much about him. I think with the Curtis injury you will see him split out more, same for Westbrook. One thing for sure, his presence on this team will be felt in a positive way.
Projection – 337 Yards rushing, 28 catches for 420 yards, 4 TD total.
4. Brent Celek – Something tells me he is pushing LJ for playing time. He is 100-percent recovered from shoulder surgery and catching the ball real well. I am not wishing injury on LJ at all, but something tells me Celek is going to make the Eagles find playing time for him.
Projection – 55 catches for 555 yards, 4 TD
5. Omar Gaither /Chris Gocong - Together, the two line backers should add much more excitement then last season. Takeo Spikes was lost early and looked old by the end – he simply wasn’t the play-maker the Eagles had hope for. Gocong got off to a slow start, but by week 10, he looked much more comfortable and will be a force if Johnson takes the reigns off a bit. As for Gaither, he is solid, not spectacular, but is always around the ball, he will make plays this season.
Projection – Gocong / 4 sacks, 1 INT – Gaither / 2 sacks, 2 INT, 110 Tackles
Next up : Five Eagles who will make the Pro Bowl this season.
Darren Howard could surprise. I know this sentence could blow up in my face, but Howard could end up the starter opposite Trent Cole when it’s all said and done, and anything over 1 sack and 15 snaps a game garners “surprise” tagging.