The amount of sheer optimism that has been being blown throughout the city of Philadelphia in favor of the Eagles new wide receiver group has been interesting to say the least. The Eagles haven’t relied upon a group this young since Andy Reid drafted Jeremy Maclin in 2009.
Rookie Nelson Agholor has had his demeanor compared favorably to his young running mate, Jordan Matthews, and his specs are almost identical to that of Maclin. However, even when you include last year’s improbable production from rookie wide receivers, it would be foolish to expect the same kind of point totals for this coming season.
Optimism has it’s uses, but the NFL is a ‘realist’ league.
Matthews played the overwhelming majority of his snaps in the slot last season, which isn’t a knock on the young receiver. He consistently faced third string cornerbacks who lined up in the slot regardless of who was there.
Having Maclin’s presence called for the attention of first string cornerbacks on a regular basis as well. So an argument can easily be made that Matthews didn’t have a chance to prove himself on the outside often enough to merit being a first string passing option. In fact, without disrespecting his body of work, he would actually be considered a great receiving option opposite the ‘Z’ side receiver if he makes the second year leap that everyone expects from him.
Agholor is very good prospect for the Eagles, and will no doubt be provided with the opportunity to prove his worth this season. However, the difference between a very good prospect like Agholor and a very good receiver like Maclin should NOT be overlooked.
Maclin had five years of NFL experience to pull from, excluding his 2013 season injury, against top flight defensive backs. Agholor will not have that kind of experience and confidence to build upon this year.
Unlike Maclin in 2009, he also does not have a seasoned veteran quarterback like Donovan McNabb, or an attention grabbing playmaker like Desean Jackson to aide him in learning the offense. Once you compound this with the fact that the Eagles will be featuring at least five new starters on the offensive unit, it becomes abundantly clear how difficult the road is going to be for this season.
Riley Cooper has proved that he is capable of making a difference for the Eagles, but he has not done so since Jackson moved to Redskin nation. A resurgence from Cooper would go a very long way in aiding this receiving group in the up-coming season, but at this point, Cooper is viewed as a disappointment, even if the numbers say otherwise.
Josh Huff is a second-year receiver like Matthews, but he did not experience the success that Matthews did. In fact, he experienced the exact opposite as his season was riddled with miscues and mistakes at very inopportune times.
However, Huff has proved that he could be worth the third round selection he was taken with as he did display the resolve and confidence to improve throughout the season. He is capable of contributing to the team’s receiving group early and often only if he cuts the mistakes and proves he can defeat the demons that plagued him last season.
It isn’t as if Huff does not have the physical capability to be a good receiver, he just has to prove he has the drive to become one as well.
Realistically, the Eagles have downgraded drastically at the wide receiving position. Even with the addition of Miles Austin, they do not seem to be in the same league as any other receiving group in the NFC East.
The Redskins, Giants, and Cowboys each have at least one star receiver capable of breaking games wide open while the Eagles have no such known talent to speak of on the roster.
Chip Kelly’s up-tempo system is definitely a great framework to begin running an offense with. However, this team will feature a new quarterback who hasn’t played football in over two seasons, and a wide receiving group that is as young as they are unproven, although clearly laced with talent and potential.
The offensive line will feature at least two new starters, although not unfamiliar faces, as well. Keeping this in mind, it would be foolish to expect the same kind of point totals from the last two years to be posted this year. It simply flies in the face of conventional knowledge, which ironically, is exactly what Kelly has proven he likes to use.
All this information is not to say that the Eagles will not succeed offensively this season. It is simply to say that averaging 29 points per game may not be a fair expectation from this crew. But who knows; Kelly is the head coach of this team and Sam Bradford, health allowing, will be the team’s starting quarterback.
Training camp 2015 is going to be the most interesting week of Kelly’s professional coaching career and NO ONE is going to miss a moment of it.
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