Questions In Birdland. Are The Eagles League Prey?

For the record, call me the first one to admit when I've made a mistake. I previously stated, for all of Eagles nation, that many essential questions would be answered following the Bird's week one slug fest against the Green Bay Packers. This great statement of prognostication could not have been further from the truth. What we have been left with is very little clarity and unfortunately, even more issues and concerns than we ever would have imagined during preseason and training camp.

While it is natural to encounter a series of uncertain circumstances and uncomfortable predicaments during a season, it is rare that one would feel the need to examine and address these issues after week one of the season. But, one thing that we can be sure of and that this blogger has already made crystal clear, is that this years Philadelphia Eagles are hiking through unknown terrain both with roster decisions and performance expectations. So without further rambling, I bring you a disturbing set of new questions that we, as fans, must attempt to sleep on.

1. Who really is the starting quarterback of this team and true leader under center? As predicted, Kevin Kolb has already appeared on the injury report after being diagnosed with a concussion following a hit from behind in Sunday's game. What is even more disturbing is that Kolb played as if he had received the concussion in pre game warm ups. He looked flustered, out of sync, and dare we say nervous during his 2010 debut. The offense sputtered repeatedly under his direction as his poise and accuracy left much to be desired. The performance could only be summed up as shaky and somewhat dreadful

As Michael Vick took the helm, following Kolb's injury, the offense developed that special flow that we have come to expect. The Packer defense fell on their heels and appeared to lose some of the aggressive, attacking mentality that was demonstrated in the first quarter. Vick was maneuvering, with ease, by linebackers and demonstrated a calm confidence in the pocket that had previously seemed to elude him in the Atlanta golden years.

To make things simple, a quick decision must be made. Does this team want to compete for a playoff spot this season, or do they wish to rebuild and take a step backward while developing Kevin Kolb? The likely scenario has Michael Vick starting this week against the Lions and I think we all expect a dazzling statistical performance and a decisive victory. With two weeks of a dynamic, Michael Vick orchestrated offense, quarterback controversy will not even be fair terminology to describe the unrest in Philadelphia.

2. Have the week one injuries set this football team back beyond recovery? The devastating injuries to fullback Leonard Weaver and offensive lineman Jamaal Jackson should be beyond disturbing for Eagle's fans. Weaver's role as a blocker, ability to run like a feature back, and presence catching the ball out of the backfield are irreplaceable. This remains a bigger issue as second year back, Lesean McCoy, struggles to grasp the offense and looks to have made very little progress in improving awareness in blocking schemes.

Center Jamaal Jackson has always been a valued source of leadership and stability on the offensive line. While those filling in have done an admirably adequate job, losing the anchor of your offensive line in week 1 presents some adjustment prospects that cannot be easily put into place. This is especially evident because of this offensive line's inability to stay healthy for a full season and maximize its potential as a cohesive unit.

3. At the risk of beating a dead horse...... The play calling??!! While Andy Reid has been badgered and berated for not having a more balanced, unpredictable offensive attack, the urgency for change has reached a level of code red.  Aside from his 4th and 1 play call where Michael Vick dove into the teeth of a tiring Green Bay defense, this scheme does not suit neither a first year quarterback nor one that is essentially attempting a comeback from a multi year layoff. I have said for years that it was never fair for Reid to ask Donovan Mcnabb to consistently throw the football 50 times per game. Truth be told, we as fans, were spoiled by a high level of success in spite of the stubborn play calling by Andy Reid and famed puppet offensive coordinator, Marty Mornhinweg. The bottom line continues to be that you need to effectively run the football in the NFL to consistently win big football games.

4. We know there is play making speed but is there any hint of guts or toughness in this wide receiving corps? No need to rehash the down field, blazing speed of Desean Jackson, or the shifty quickness and elusive ability of  Jeremy Maclin. The play making abilities of the top two and their ability to change game momentum with the blink of an eye, are well known by Eagle's fans and opposing defensive coordinators. What I am addressing here is the ability to shake off a physical corner at the line of scrimmage and fearlessly come across the middle with a gritty acceptance of a pending teeth shattering smack. All signs point to this type of player being rookie and former Florida Gator star, Riley Cooper. At 6' 3'' and nearly 220 pounds, Cooper possesses the body and the mental toughness to execute these "tough" yards through the air. As seen in the preseason, Cooper can be a difficult assignment for a smaller corner and has demonstrated to have both the route running ability and the soft hands to balance out this group of smaller, shifty wide outs.

While  nobody wishes to hit the panic button after a one touchdown loss to a great football team in week 1, we constantly look for the silver lining with which a team can begin to build a successful football season. Unfortunately this nor any football team can begin this course of improvement without a firm analysis of weak points or mishaps from the previous week. Compound that with a flurry of key injuries and a fundamental confusion over the team's identity, and you have a head pounding recipe for disaster. More to be determined in the next few weeks but until then, sleep well, Eagle green.