2011 NFL Predictions: Philadelphia Eagles Not Ready for Prime Time in NFC East

The Philadelphia Eagles, fresh off a dream offseason during which they nabbed seemingly every big-name free agent, are due for a rude awakening when the 2011 NFL regular season kicks off next week. While fans and pundits have been "oohing" and "aahing" over the high-priced additions of Nnamdi Asomugha, Cullen Jenkins and Jason Babin, among others, so many have seemingly forgotten that great NFL teams are built through the draft rather than bought in a single summer. Just ask the Washington Redskins, who've tried to buy their way to winning seasons year after year under the ownership of Dan Snyder. What's more, the lockout made this year a particularly sketchy one for constructing a team through free agency, as the absence of OTAs and minicamps severely limited the ability of teams to incorporate new players into their respective schemes. That being said, the Eagles should still have an excellent pass defense, thanks to the pressure of Babin and Trent Cole on the line and the coverage provided by Asomugha, Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie and Asante Samuel on the outside. The run defense, though, is a different story entirely. Philly lost a trio of linebackers to free agency and did little to replenish their depleted depth behind to their corps, unless you really think their rookie 'backers will be able to pick up the slack right out of the gate. Offensively, the Eagles have plenty of weapons but lack any sort of continuity along a revamped offensive line that will be expected to protect Michael Vick and block for LeSean McCoy. Philly was practically forced to cut tackle Ryan Harris, whom they signed this summer, after he suffered a season-ending injury in training camp. Those left standing have done little to inspire faith in Philly, allowing opposing defense to collapse the pocket on Vick with alarming ease in the preseason. On top of all that, Andy Reid's team will have to survive an early-season gauntlet if they're going to have any shot of living up to the considerable hype with which they've been burdened since their free agent frenzy. The Eagles open the season with back-to-back road games against dome teams—the St. Louis Rams and the Atlanta Falcons—followed by a tough home game against the NFC East rival New York Giants. However, if the Eagles can come away from those three games with a win or two, they'll be in position to succeed from there, with the next three contests against the 49ers, the Bills and the Redskins. Either way, the 2011 season is clearly going to be a difficult one for the Philadelphia Eagles, regardless of how much money they spent this summer. They may yet be a Super Bowl-caliber team, but it will take them quite a bit longer to get to that level than popular opinion would suggest. Follow @J0shMart1n