2007 Philadelphia Eagles
The 2007 Philadelphia Eagles season will see the team try to improve upon its 10-6 record in 2006, and defend their NFC East title. This season will also mark the 75th Anniversary of the Eagles franchise.
[edit] Offseason
After returning to the top of the NFC East in 2006, it was an offseason of controversial transactions for the Eagles. The fates of quarterback Jeff Garcia and wide receiver Donte' Stallworth were the two immediate questions facing the Eagles after the season ended. Ultimately, the team decided to keep neither of them. The Eagles signed A.J. Feeley to a three-year contract to be the backup quarterback, allowing Garcia to sign with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in March 2007. A week later, Stallworth inked a deal with the New England Patriots.
Philadelphia filled the new hole in the receiving corps by signing free agent Kevin Curtis from St. Louis Rams. They then made a trade with the Buffalo Bills on March 26, 2007, [1] sending longtime defensive tackle Darwin Walker to the Bills in exchange for Takeo Spikes to provide much-needed linebacker help, and backup quarterback Kelly Holcomb.
In the draft, the Eagles traded down, selecting University of Houston quarterback Kevin Kolb in the second round. The selection of Kolb raised eyebrows and sent a signal that the Eagles were looking towards a point in the future past Donovan McNabb, who had missed significant time in the three of the past five seasons.
In training camp and the preseason, McNabb, wearing a knee brace, showed that he had recovered from his knee surgery and was ready to go. He stated, as he did the season before, that the team was capable of reaching the Super Bowl. He was stunned when Eagles' management decided to cut veteran middle linebacker Jeremiah Trotter on August 21. [2]
The talk of the preseason turned out to be the booming punts of Australian rules football import Saverio Rocca. The Aussie outbooted veteran Dirk Johnson to earn the starting job.
[edit] 2007 Schedule
[edit] Pre-Season
| Game | Date | Opponent | Result | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | August 13, 2007 | Baltimore Ravens | L 29-3 | M&T Bank Stadium |
| 2 | August 17, 2007 | Carolina Panthers | W 27-10 | Lincoln Financial Field |
| 3 | August 26, 2007 | Pittsburgh Steelers | L 27-13 | Heinz Field |
| 4 | August 30, 2007 | New York Jets | L 13-11 | Lincoln Financial Field |
[edit] Regular Season
[edit] Regular season
[edit] Week 1: at Green Bay Packers
| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Tot |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Eagles | 0 | 10 | 3 | 0 | 13 |
| Packers | 10 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 16 |
at Lambeau Field, Green Bay, Wisconsin
Sloppy punt returns torpedoed the Eagles in their season opener against Brett Favre and the Green Bay Packers. After Green Bay's first drive, Philadelphia return man Greg Lewis dropped the punt and a blooper reel play ensued that resulted in a fumble recovery in the end zone for the Packers. A 53-yard Green Bay field goal put the Eagles in a 10-0 deficit. Sheldon Brown's interception sparked an Eagles rally that led to a field goal in the second quarter. Jason Avant's nine-yard touchdown reception from Donovan McNabb tied the game, and in the third quarter, David Akers made his second field goal from 47-yards out to make it 13-10 Philadelphia. Favre avoided the Eagles pass rush and responded with a 13-play field goal drive to even the score. A sack by Trent Cole and subsequent fumble recovery inside the Green Bay 40-yard line by Jevon Kearse gave the Eagles an excellent chance with 4:18 left in the game, but the offense sputtered. Green Bay was also forced to punt, but J.R. Reed made an ill-advised attempt to catch the punt and muffed it. The Packers recovered at the Eagles 31-yard line and Mason Crosby kicked a 42-yard game winner. Brian Westbrook had 131 all-purpose yards and Avant had three catched for 54 yards and a touchdown. The defense, a pre-season concern, provided consistent pressure on Favre, collected four sacks, two turnovers, and only allowed 46 rushing yards.
