The Eagles had an outstanding draft last April.  They got big time production out of six of their draft picks and more could develop for the Eagles down the road.  Here is a look at what the rookies did in their debut seasons for the Eagles:

27-year old OG Dan Watkins was picked in the first round by the Eagles last April.  He played in 12 games (all starts) for the Eagles last year.  Watkins is a little on the old side for a rookie, but he played well for the Eagles and will be a starter when the 2012 season begins.

22-year old safety Jaiquawn Jarrett was a 2nd round pick for the Eagles.  He played in 12 games for the Eagles last year and he had 17 tackles.  He could develop into a starter down the road for the Eagles.

23-year old CB Curtis Marsh was picked in the 3rd round.  Marsh played in 7 games for the Eagles last year and he had 2 tackles and 1 pass defensed.  The Eagles hope that Marsh picks up the pace in 2012.

22-year old LB Casey Matthews was selected in the 4th round by the Eagles.  He played in all 16 games for the Eagles last year and he had 37 tackles, 1 sack and 2 tackles for a loss.  The Eagles hope that Matthews improves in 2012 and beyond.

24-year old kicker Alex Henery was also a 4th round pick of the Eagles.  He played in all 16 games for the Eagles last year and he connected on 24 of 27 field goals (88.9%).  He also made all 46 of his extra point attempts as he finished last year with an impressive 118 points.

21-year old RB Dion Lewis was picked in the fifth round of the NFL Draft in 2011.  He played in 15 games for the Eagles last year and he carried the ball 21 times for 102 yards (4.4 ypc) with 1 TD run.  He also caught 1 pass for -3 yards last year.  Lewis helped the Eagles on special teams too as he returned 31 kickoffs for 669 yards (21.6 avg) last year.

24-year old guard Julian Vandervelde came to the Eagles in the 5th round.  He only played in 1 game (0 starts) for the Eagles last year.  He better improve soon or he’s going to have to get a real job.

24-year old center Jason Kelce was a sixth round pick for the Eagles last year.  He played in 16 games (all starts) for the Eagles and he was incredible.  The Eagles think he will get into multiple Pro Bowls if he can stay healthy.

23-year old LB Brian Rolle was also picked in the sixth round for the Eagles.  He played in all 16 games for the Eagles last year and he had 54 tackles, 1 sack, 5 tackles for a loss, 1 forced fumble, 1 fumble recovery and 4 passes defensed.  Rolle was a steal this late in the draft.

22-year old LB Greg Lloyd came to the Eagles in the 7th round.  He didn’t play in any games as a rookie.

24-year old RB Stanley Havili was also picked in the 7th round.  He spent his rookie season on the practice squad.

GRADE FOR 2011:  A

GRADE FOR THE FUTURE:  A+

The Eagles have signed 25-year old WR Mardy Gilyard to a reserve/futures contract.  Gilyard didn’t play with anyone in the NFL in 2011.  He played in 11 games as a rookie for the Rams in 2010 and he caught 6 passes for 63 yards (10.5 avg).  He also returned 16 kickoffs for 356 yards (22.3 avg) and he also had 3 tackles.  Gilyard will be a longshot to win a job on the Eagles in 2012.

The Eagles were expecting big things out of 31-year old Michael Vick in 2011.  But, he proved to be the QB he was before his breakout 2010 season.  The Eagles were 7-6 in games that Michael Vick started at QB.  He played in 13 games (all starts) for the Eagles last year and he completed 253 of 423 passes (59.8%) for 3,303 yards with 18 TD passes and 14 INTs (84.9 QB Rating).  He also carried the ball 76 times for 589 yards (7.8 ypc) with 1 TD run last year.  Vick has now played in 111 games (91 starts) in his NFL career and he has completed 1,422 of 2,538 passes (56%) for 17,912 yards with 111 TD passes and 72 INTs (80.9 QB Rating).  He has also carried the ball 729 times for 5,219 yards (7.2 ypc) with 33 TD runs in his NFL career so far.  Vick now has a 53-37-1 (58.9%) record as a starting QB during the regular season.

28-year old Vince Young proved how overrated he has been his whole career when he was forced into action due to Michael Vick’s broken ribs.  The Eagles were 1-2 in Young’s 3 starts and they rushed Vick back due to how poorly Young was playing.  Young played in 7 games (3 starts) for the Eagles last year and he completed 66 of 114 passes (57.9%) for 866 yards with 4 TD passes and 9 INTs (60.8 QB Rating).  He also carried the ball 18 times for 79 yards (4.4 ypc) last year.  Young has now played in 61 games (50 starts) in his NFL career and he has completed 755 of 1,304 passes (57.9%) for 8,964 yards with 46 TD passes and 51 INTs (74.4 QB Rating).  He has also carried the ball 282 times for 1,459 yards (5.2 ypc) with 12 TD runs so far in his NFL career.  Young is now 31-19 (62%) as a starting QB during the regular season in his NFL career.

24-year old Mike Kafka is a developmental #3 QB for the Eagles.  He played in 4 games (0 starts) for the Eagles this year and he completed 11 of 16 passes (68.8%) for 107 yards with 0 TD passes and 2 INTs (47.7 QB Rating).  Kafka has also carried the ball 3 times for 0 yards in this game.

The Eagles scored the last 21 points of this game (all in the fourth quarter), as they pulled away from a Redskins’ team that gave them a fight for three quarters last Sunday.  Michael Vick completed 24 of 39 passes for 335 yards with 3 TD passes and 1 INT.  He only carried the ball 1 time for 3 yards.  Dion Lewis led the way on the ground for the Eagles in this game with 58 yards rushing on 12 carries (4.8 ypc) with 1 TD run.  Ronnie Brown pitched in with 14 yards rushing on 6 carries (2.3 ypc).  WR Jeremy Maclin (8 rec, 105 yards), TE Brent Celek (6 rec, 86 yards, TD) and WR Desean Jackson (4 rec, 86 yards, TD) led the way in the passing game for the Eagles.  WR Chad Hall only caught 1 pass in this game, but, it went for a 7-yard TD.  The Eagles finished up with 75 yards rushing on 19 carries (3.9 ypc) and they also completed 24 of 39 passes (61.5%) for 315 yards as they had possession of the ball for 29:19.

The defense was in bend but don’t break mode in this game, and it was effective.  LB Keenan Clayton led the way for the Eagles on D with 9 tackles and 1 pass defensed.  LB Casey Matthews (5 tackles) and safety Nate Allen (5 tackles, 2 passes defensed and 1 interception) also pitched in for the Eagles in this game.  The Redskins finished up with 130 yards rushing on 25 carries (5.2 ypc) and they also completed 22 of 45 passes (48.9%) for 247 yards in this game.  The Eagles finish the 2011 season with a very disappointing 8-8 record.

The Eagles are red hot right now as they have won three games in a row by a combined score of 91-34!  They also beat the Redskins 20-13 earlier this year in Washington.  The Redskins have lost three of their last four games as they are limping to the finish line.  Here is a look at the matchups in this game:

When the Eagles have the ball:  The Eagles are likely to come out passing this Sunday in an effort to get the competitive part of the game done early.  To do that, the Eagles’ O-Line is going to have to give Michael Vick time to throw the ball.  The Redskins are giving up 215.9 yards passing per game, so Vick should have success throwing the ball as he will likely spread the ball around to TE Brent Celek and WRs Jeremy Maclin, Desean Jackson and Jason Avant.  Lesean McCoy has a ankle problem, so his workload won’t likely be a full one if he plays.  That means that they are hoping that Ronnie Brown will step up this weekend.

When the Redskins have the ball:  The Redskins have been starting to run the ball more with rookie RBs Evan Royster and Roy Helu.  That will likely be the same this weekend against an Eagles’ D that is giving up 111.4 yards rushing per game and 4.3 yards per carry.  The Eagles will be blitzing really heavily against the Redskins, which will put a lot of pressure on Rex Grossman.  Grossman threw four pickoffs in the first meeting between these two teams.

PREDICTION:  EAGLES 27, REDSKINS 17

The Eagles are sending three players to the Pro Bowl.  31-year old DE Jason Babin has been incredible for the Eagles so far this year.  He has played in 15 games for the Eagles so far this year and he has 38 tackles, 18 sacks, 2 tackles for a loss, 3 forced fumbles and 2 fumble recoveries.  He has been a true late bloomer for the Eagles.  23-year old RB Lesean McCoy turned in the best year of his NFL career in 2011.  He has played in 15 games for the Eagles so far this year and he has carried the ball 273 times for 1,309 yards (4.8 ypc) with 17 TD runs.  McCoy has also caught 48 passes for 315 yards (6.6 avg) with 3 TD grabs so far this year.  29-year old OT Jason Peters has played in 13 games (all starts) for the Eagles so far this year.  All three of the Eagles going to the Pro Bowl were elected to the team as starters.

The Philadelphia Eagles knocked out Tony Romo early in this game and it was easy sailing after that.  Michael Vick was very solid throwing the ball as he connected on 18 of 32 passes for 293 yards with 2 TD passes and 0 INTs.  He also carried the ball 3 times for 10 yards (3.3 ypc) in this game.  Lesean McCoy (13 carries for 35 yards) and Ronnie Brown (8 carries for 33 yards) pitched in for the Eagles in the running game.  WR Desean Jackson (5 receptions for 90 yards and 2 carries for 27 yards), WR Jeremy Maclin (5 rec, 72 yards, TD) and TE Brent Celek (2 rec, 52 yards, TD) led the way for the Eagles in the passing game.  The Eagles finished up with 105 yards rushing on 26 carries (4.0 ypc) and they also completed 18 of 32 passes (56.3%) for 281 yards as they had possession of the ball for 27:37.

The defense was outstanding for the Eagles in this game.  CB Nnamdi Asomugha led the way for the Eagles in this game with 8 tackles.  DE Trent Cole (6 tackles, 1 sack, 2 tackles for a loss and 3 QB hits) and OLB Casey Matthews (6 tackles and 1 QB hit) also had solid games for the Eagles.  The Cowboys finished up with 81 yards rushing on 23 carries (3.5 ypc) and they also completed 24 of 40 passes (60%) for 157 yards in this game.  The Eagles are now 7-8 on the season.

The Eagles can still make the playoffs if they win out and get some help.  They have won two games in a row by a combined score of 71-29!  The Eagles also thumped the Cowboys 34-7 earlier this year in Philly.  The Cowboys beat up on the Buccaneers in Tampa, 31-15 last weekend.  If the Cowboys win out, they will win the NFC East.  Here is a look at the matchups in this game:

When the Eagles have the ball:  The Eagles are going to probably be pretty balanced in this game offensively.  With Michael Vick still a tad gimpy with his bad ribs, Lesean McCoy has been getting more work running the ball…but that’s no problem as he is a pretty darn good RB.  The Eagles will need a good running game to help slow the Cowboys’ pass rush a little bit, because they are going to be coming after Michael Vick today.  To combat the blitzing game, Vick could decide to throw short passes to TE Brent Celek (156 yards receiving last weekend).  He still has Desean Jackson and Jeremy Maclin to stretch the field.

When the Cowboys have the ball:  Felix Jones is gimpy right now, so he won’t have a heavy workload if he plays at all.  Sammy Morris looked good last week against the Bucs, so he might be able to handle a heavy workload.  The Cowboys are going to be a pass first team though, due to the RB situation.  The Eagles already have 46 sacks this year, so they are going to try to pressure Tony Romo into making mistakes today.  Romo has an outstanding corps of receivers to throw to in TE Jason Witten and WRs Miles Austin, Laurent Robinson and Dez Bryant….so the Eagles’ secondary will have to step up today.

PREDICTION:  EAGLES 27, COWBOYS 23

The Eagles destroyed the Jets today!  Michael Vick had a solid game as he completed 15 of 22 passes for 274 yards with 1 TD pass and 1 INT.  He also carried the ball 5 times for 32 yards (6.4 ypc) with 1 TD run in this game.  Lesean McCoy led the way on the ground for the Eagles in this game with 18 carries for 102 yards (5.7 ypc) with 3 TD runs.  TE Brent Celek had a huge game, just like I predicted he would, as he caught 5 passes for 156 yards (31.2 avg) with 2 TD grabs.  WR Jeremy Maclin pitched in with 3 grabs for 57 yards (19.0 avg).  The Eagles finished up with 160 yards rushing on 33 carries (4.8 ypc) and they also completed 15 of 22 passes (68.2%) for 260 yards as they had possession of the ball for 30:03.

The Eagles’ D was flat out awesome in this game.  DE Phillip Hunt (6 tackles, 1 tackle for a loss, 1 sack and 1 QB hit), LB Akeem Jordan (6 tackles) and DE Jason Babin (4 tackles, 3 sacks, 3 tackles for a loss and 3 QB hits) led the way for the Eagles on D in this game.  LB Jamar Chaney (interception), CB Joselio Hanson (fumble recovery) and DE Juqua Parker (fumble recovery that he returned 47 yards for a TD) also made HUGE plays for the Eagles in this game.  The Jets finished up with 94 yards rushing on 27 carries (3.5 ypc) and they also completed 16 of 29 passes (55.2%) for 147 yards.  The Eagles are now 6-8 on the season and believe it or not…..they can still win the NFC East and get back to the playoffs.

The Philadelphia Eagles are going to try to play a spoiler the last couple of weeks of the year.  They looked good in thumping the Dolphins 26-10 in Miami last weekend.  The Jets have won three games in a row as they are trying to win a wildcard spot in the AFC playoffs.  Here is a look at the matchups in this game:

When the Eagles have the ball:  The Eagles are going to try to run the ball on the Jets this weekend.  Lesean McCoy (1,172 yards rushing) is  going to have to work hard tomorrow as the Jets will likely be keying on him and they are only allowing 3.9 yards per carry so far this year.  The Jets don’t have a great pass rush, but they have an awesome secondary.  That means that Michael Vick is going to have to be careful throwing the ball to his banged up WRing corps.  I think the best bet for them will be to attack the middle of  the field and challenge the Jets’ safeties with a lot of throws to TE Brent Celek.

When the Jets have the ball:  The Eagles will try to focus on stopping RB Shonn Greene early in the game, forcing Mark Sanchez to beat them with his right arm.  The Eagles already have 42 sacks so far this year, so they are going to be coming after Mark Sanchez in an effort to make him throw the ball to their CBs.  WR Plaxico Burress, Santonio Holmes and TE Dustin Keller are all solid receivers, so the secondary is going to have their hands full tomorrow.

PREDICTION:  JETS 21, EAGLES 20