What to expect from the recievers.

Its already over a week into Eagles training camp and birds fans can feel the green blood flowing because its football season. As you may know, last season the Philadelphia Eagles ended the year with the second highest rated offense in the NFL. With a guy like Donovan McNabb and Brian Westbrook, the fans really expect alot out of this teams offense. However, I think the key part to this team's offensive success if the recieving corps. We dont have any major, front line recievers who will dominate a game single handedly but, this Eagles team does have some underrated talent at the wide reciever spot and, it is not to be overlooked. This year's edition of the Philadelphia Eagles features some young recievers with alot of upside as well as a sure veteran with big play capability. A guy like Reggie Brown, on this team as the #1 reciever has alot of potential. With Brown's great footwork and excellent route-running, he contributes alot to Marty Morninweg and this offensive system. Reggie is still young and is still adapting to becoming a good reciever. This will be the first year in Brown's career that he will line up as the number one guy at the wideout spot. Many are expecting big things from the Georgia University product, I am predicting a succesful season. Reggie is yet to scratch the surface with a full arsenal of recieving tools. We saw a little bit last season what Brown can do when he gets his hands on the ball as far as moving with it. He has ideal size at 6-1 197lb and can create some matchup problems at times. This year though, he is stuck in the #1 slot and will be going up against the best in the business at the cornerback position. Aside from Reggie Brown, the Eagles bought in a guy this year who is used to playing in pass friendly offenses. Kevin Curtis spent four seasons in St.Louis with the Rams and beside last season, was a huge success in Mike Martz pass balanced offense. Curtis had 100 catches in his last 2 seasons and a number 3, slot reciever. He has great speed and reliable hands. Kevin, 29 years old, runs great routes and is learning the west coast offense fast in training camp. He can run with the ball exceptionally well and people in Philadelphia will see that. Curtis is not afraid to lower his shoulder in attempt for a first down. Curtis and Brown, will certainly provide excellent services for Donovan McNabb in all passing situations. After the one and two, you take a look at the three spot and, it still is a bit of a question. Will the number three reciever be second year reciever from Michigan, Jason Avant or will it be the the second year veteran Hank Baskett. Avant to me, is the true number three guy. He is very athletic, has good hands and, has good size and strength to be a solid possesion reciever for this football team. Avant will also shock defenders with his great ability to accel after making cuts when running routes. Jason, ran a 4.60 40 speed, and is not a very fast reciever but, he has excellent hands and you will not see many drops from him. Certainly you can expect alot of from Avant this season. Another guy who will battle with Avant until opening day for the third spot is Hank Baskett, Baskett also is a possesion type reciever. He has sure hands and good speed. At 6-4, Baskett definitly makes it hard for opposing nickel cornerbacks. He is strong and is more of a Mushin Muhammed type reciever. He can break tackles well for a wideout and is a guy who can potentially break a big run when he catches the ball. Donovan McNabb certainly has alot of options when passing this season, as he did last season but, this year Baskett and Avant are a year removed from their rookie campaigns and are both a year experienced in the offensive system. Eagle fans will definitly get alot from the recieving group this upcoming season. Those guys will certainly help contribute to Philadelphia's high powered offense so look for alot out of the Eagles wide recievers in 2007.