Five bold predictions for the Philadelphia Eagles in 2015.
Sam Bradford becomes Eagles first 4,000 yard passer in franchise history - It’s a bit curious to think that the Eagles have never had a 4,000 yard passer. A team who has played with Donovan McNabb and Randall Cunningham, some would think the franchise should have at least one. McNabb’s highest passing yard total came in 2008, throwing for 3,916 yards. Step in Sam Bradford. The ex-St. Louis quarterback had a career high in passing yards in 2012 throwing for 3,702 yards. The Rams team on which Sam played on did not have nearly as much talent as he will have for this upcoming season. This makes it easier to believe that when put in a quarterback friendly offense; Bradford will excel and become the team’s first 4,000 yard passer.
Demarco Murray defends his rushing title - It’s not often that you see the league’s leading rusher and his team split ways in the offseason following the end of the year. What’s even more uncommon is when he signs with a division foe. The case for Demarco Murray can be explained as being overrated and having his offensive line do all of his work. That being said, doesn’t every running back need an offensive line? Murray’s one cut and hit the hole style made Chip Kelly break the bank for him in free agency. Not to mention the Eagles’ offensive line is a top ten unit themselves. Expect Murray to rush for around 1,600 yards and defend his rushing title against running backs like Marshawn Lynch and Adrian Peterson.
Nelson Agholor and Jordan Matthews each eclipse 1,000 yards - The Eagles drafted wide receiver Nelson Agholor out of USC in the first round with the twentieth pick of the 2015 NFL Draft. Agholor’s size, weight, and forty yard dash time are almost identical to the man who he will replace - Jeremy Maclin. The wide out can play both outside and the slot and was considered the draft’s second most pro-ready receiver behind Oakland Raider’s Amari Cooper. On the other side of Agholor, Jordan Matthews will look to build on his outstanding rookie season. After a slow start, Matthews came on strong in the middle of the year and capped off the season with an 8 catch, 105 yard performance against the New York Giants. Matthews and Agholor seem like the clear cut for a true number one and two combo and in a receiver friendly offense, both wide outs should excel and just should eclipse 1,000 yard seasons.
Byron Maxwell records six interceptions - The Eagles spent big bucks on their secondary this offseason in free agency. They signed former Seattle Seahawks cornerback Byron Maxwell to a six-year deal worth $63 million with $25 million guaranteed for the first three years. The Eagles have lacked a true shut down corner for years now and needed to upgrade a secondary who ranked second to last against the pass last year. Maxwell has the exact prototype body for Chip Kelly. The corner-back stands at 6ft and 1 inch with a wingspan of 77.5 inches. Maxwell will bring this defense what it has needed and record six interceptions throughout the season while doing so.
The Eagles make the NFC Championship - Sam Bradford remains the biggest question mark on this football team. But to win in today’s league, you need to find your franchise quarterback. If Bradford can stay healthy, there is no question how well he can perform in Chip Kelly’s system. Bradford has an accurate deep ball and will be surrounded by weapons and a stellar offensive line. The only other concern is the secondary. But with much improved upgrades the corner-back position, The Eagles should majorly improve from last year and make a deep playoff run to the NFC Championship game.
Thad Brown is a contributing writer for Eagledelphia.
