Eagles Don’t Look Like Endangered Contenders Yet

Come one! Come all! Try to knock off the Philadelphia Eagles!

St. Louis did it, so did Tampa Bay and Carolina -- all reached the Super Bowl by beating the Eagles in the NFC championship game -- but none maintained the necessary momentum to do it again. Philadelphia has played in the last four conference title games, finally making it to the Super Bowl on the fourth try.

There are plenty of potential contenders this season, both new and familiar.

There’s Minnesota, which lost Randy Moss yet still has in Daunte Culpepper one of the best quarterbacks in the league, a player with rare size, speed and leadership abilities.

There’s Atlanta, which not only has a playmaker supreme in Michael Vick but a punishing 4-3 defense featuring a ferocious lineup of pass rushers.

There’s resurgent Carolina, which rebounded from a 1-7 start last season to win six of its final eight.

There’s Green Bay, with quarterback Brett Favre and his 205 consecutive starts, and Ahman Green and his five consecutive 1,000-yard seasons.

There’s St. Louis, with its bevy of spectacular receivers.

And there’s Arizona, the darkest of dark horses, which has won one playoff game since 1947, yet has reason to hope with Coach Dennis Green and reinvigorated quarterback Kurt Warner at the helm.

But it isn’t as if Philadelphia has slacked off. The Eagles endured the distraction of the Terrell Owens contract squabble and appear to have emerged from training camp unscathed. They have an outstanding rookie defensive tackle in USC’s Mike Patterson and a young defense that figures to improve with another year in the system. Brian Westbrook is explosive as a runner and receiver, and tight end L.J. Smith is poised to have a breakout season.

As long as the Eagles are soaring, the NFC’s road to the Super Bowl still cuts through the heart of Philadelphia.

NFC WEST

1. PHILADELPHIA EAGLES

Arrivals: Mike McMahon, QB (DET); Mike Patterson*, DT.

Departures: Derrick Burgess, DE (OAK); Jermane Mayberry, G (NO); Ike Reese, LB (ATL); Nate Wayne, LB.

The skinny: Now that the Terrell Owens circus appears to be over, the Eagles can concentrate on football. Donovan McNabb is coming off a 31-touchdown season, and the Philly defense is even better than last year’s Super Bowl version, mostly because the young Eagle defensive backs have another year in Jim Johnson’s system. Double-threat Brian Westbrook is a good running back and an even better receiver. Half of his 20 offensive touchdowns over the past two seasons have come as the result of receptions.

2. NEW YORK GIANTS

Arrivals: Plaxico Burress, WR (PIT); Keydrick Clancy, DT (PIT); Jay Feely, K (ATL); Kareem McKenzie, T (NYJ); Antonio Pierce, LB (WAS).

Departures: Lorenzo Bromell, DE; Martin Chase, DT; Terry Cousin, CB (JAC); Ron Dayne, RB (DEN); Norman Hand, DT; Ike Hilliard, WR; Lance Legree, DT (NYJ); Barry Stokes, OL; Omar Stoutmire, S; Kurt Warner, QB (ARI).

The skinny: After rushing Eli Manning into action last season, the Giants are resting their fate on his young shoulders. They can take heart in the fact he played his best football in the 2004 finale. Manning should also have his blind side well protected by the blocking of McKenzie, an outstanding tackle.

3. DALLAS COWBOYS

Arrivals: Drew Bledsoe, QB (BUF); Jason Ferguson, DT (NYJ); Anthony Henry, CB (CLE); Marco Rivera, G (GB); Marcus Spears*, DE; DeMarcus Ware*, DE.

Departures: Dexter Coakley, LB (STL); Marcellus Wiley, DE (JAC).

The skinny: Bledsoe couldn’t get the job done in Buffalo, but Bill Parcells is confident the aging quarterback will make an impact for the Cowboys. At least Bledsoe is a little more mobile than Vinny Testaverde, last season’s starter. Watch for a breakout season from running back Julius Jones, who averaged 114.7 yards over the final seven games. The Cowboys need more productivity out of their wide receivers; Keyshawn Johnson was the only one with more than 24 catches last season.

4. WASHINGTON REDSKINS

Arrivals: Jason Campbell*, QB; Santana Moss (NYJ); David Patten, WR (NE); Pierson Priorleau, S (BUF); Casey Rabach, C (BAL); Carlos Rogers*, CB.

Departures: Laveranues Coles (NYJ); Ola Kimrin, K (TEN); Antonio Pierce, LB (NYG); Fred Smoot, CB (MIN).

The skinny: Consistently bad personnel decisions have put the Redskins in a bind. It’s hard to imagine Joe Gibbs sticking around after another season like 2004. Last season’s running game didn’t conjure up memories of John Riggins; the Redskins tied for last in the NFL with six rushing touchdowns. On a bright note, the Redskin defense was vastly improved last season. It was third in yards allowed and fifth in points allowed.

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NFC NORTH

1. MINNESOTA VIKINGS

Arrivals: Erasmus James*, DE; Brad Johnson, QB (TB); Darren Sharper, S (GB); Fred Smoot, CB (WAS); Travis Taylor, WR (BAL); Pat Wiggins, DT (BUF).

Departures: Chris Claiborne, LB (STL); Gus Frerotte, QB (MIA); Chris Hovan, DT (TB); Randy Moss (OAK); Brian Russell, S (CLE).

The skinny: With or without Moss, the Vikings are again loaded with talent. If they can’t put together a solid run at the Super Bowl, they have to take a hard look at their head coach. Daunte Culpepper, who has been to three consecutive Pro Bowls, should handle the loss of offensive coordinator Scott Linehan with typical aplomb. The defense could have five new starters this season.

2. GREEN BAY PACKERS

Arrivals: Todd Franz, DB (WAS); Aaron Rodgers*, QB.

Departures: Michael Hawthorne, DB (STL); Bhawoh Jue, SS (SD); Marco Rivera, G (DAL); Darren Sharper, S (MIN); Mike Wahle, G (CAR).

The skinny: With Brett Favre in the twilight of his career, the Packers don’t have the luxury of biding their time. They need to win now. That said, they learned last season they can bounce back from a slow start. They were 1-4 before regrouping and making the playoffs. The Packers have lost in the first or second round of the playoffs for four consecutive seasons. Meanwhile, Ahman Green has rushed for 1,000 yards and a total of 48 touchdowns in five consecutive seasons.

3. DETROIT LIONS

Arrivals: Shaun Cody*, DT; Rick DeMulling, G (IND); Jeff Garcia, QB (CLE); Kenoy Kennedy, S (DEN); Marcus Pollard, TE (IND); Jamel White, RB (BAL; Mike Williams*, WR.

Departures: Stephen Alexander, TE (DEN); Roderick Babers, CB (TB).

The skinny: Over the past four years, the Lions have averaged just four victories per season. That’s worst in the league. If anything, they have the receiving corps to improve on that. No more excuses for quarterback Joey Harrington, who has struggled with accuracy since the Lions made him the No. 3 pick in 2002. A solid defensive front got even better with the addition of Cody. But will that be enough to lift the Lions to the playoffs for the first time since 1999? Doubtful.

4. CHICAGO BEARS

Arrivals: Cedric Benson*, RB; Eddie Berlin, WR (TEN); Roberto Garza, G (ATL); Fred Miller, T (TEN); Muhsin Muhammad, WR (CAR).

Departures: Jonathan Quinn, QB; David Terrell, WR (NE).

The skinny: With Rex Grossman sidelined because of an ankle injury, the quarterback job goes to rookie Kyle Orton. Will he be the man all season? Consider this: In the last seven seasons, the Bears have used all three quarterbacks six times. In some ways, it can’t get worse. Bear receivers caught just nine touchdown passes last season, and no one had more than two. The fact that Benson finally ended his holdout should help. The defense isn’t so bad, as long as it can avoid the 2004 injury bug.

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NFC SOUTH

1. CAROLINA PANTHERS

Arrivals: Thomas Davis*, S; Ken Lucas, CB (SEA); Marlon McCree, S (HOU); Jamal Robertson, RB (CAR); Mike Wahle, OL (GB).

Departures: Brian Allen, LB (WAS); Doug Brzezinski, OG; Artrell Hawkins, CB; Muhsin Muhammad, WR (CHI).

The skinny: Strange as it sounds, the injury-riddled Panthers didn’t look so bad in losing seven of their first eight games last season. And, in the second half, they went 6-2 and showed flashes of the play that got them to the 2004 Super Bowl. If the Panthers can keep Stephen Davis and/or DeShaun Foster healthy this season, they will be much stronger offensively. Last season, the team averaged an anemic 3.7 yards per carry.

2. ATLANTA FALCONS

Arrivals: Ed Hartwell, LB (BAL); Ronnie Heard, S (SF); Matt Lehr, G (STL); Brandon Mitchell, DT (SEA); Todd Peterson, K (SF); Ike Reese, LB (PHI); Roddy White*, WR.

Departures: Chris Draft, LB; Jay Feely, K (NYG); Cory Hall, S; Travis Hall, DT; Ed Jasper, DT; Chris Mohr, P; Matt Stewart, LB (CLE).

The skinny: Lots of people point to Michael Vick as the reason for Atlanta’s success, but the Falcons are much more than a one-man show -- even though he lacks a good group of receivers. Atlanta got some impressive play from running back Warrick Dunn and a stout defense. Ends Patrick Kerney and Brady Smith looked dominant at times in the 4-3 defense and Rod Coleman had a career-high 11 1/2 sacks.

3. NEW ORLEANS SAINTS

Arrivals: Jammal Brown*, T; Levar Fisher, LB (ARI); Jermane Mayberry, G (PHI); Shad Meier, TE (TEN); Antowain Smith, RB (TEN); Dwight Smith, S (TB).

Departures: Tebucky Jones, S (MIA).

The skinny: The Saints showed last season that they don’t always roll over in December. Now they need to prove they can win with consistency throughout the season. Aaron Brooks shows some flashes of excellence at times, but he also makes more than his share of mistakes. Deuce McAllister could be on the verge of a spectacular season, provided he’s overcome the ankle problems that slowed him last year. The up-and-down defense led the league with 20 forced fumbles.

4. TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS

Arrivals: Anthony Becht, TE (NYJ); Juran Bolden, CB (JAC); Matt Bryant, K (IND-MIA); Jason Buhl, LB (CLE); Chris Hovan, DT (MIN); Carnell Williams*, RB.

Departures: Keith Burns, LB (DEN); Cosey Coleman, G (CLE); Chartric Darby, DT (SEA); Mario Edwards, CB (MIA); Brad Johnson, QB (MIN); Joe Jurevicius, WR (SEA); Matt O’Dwyer, G (GB); Dwight Smith, S (NO).

The skinny: The Buccaneers took a dramatic tumble after winning the 2003 Super Bowl. They have yet to regain their balance. They came close to winning a lot more games last season but consistently hurt themselves with penalties and turnovers. Tampa Bay’s defense should still be solid.

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NFC WEST

1. SEATTLE SEAHAWKS

Arrivals: Kevin Bentley, LB (CLE); Chartric Darby, DT (TB); Bryce Fisher, DE (STL); Kelly Herndon, CB (DEN); Joe Jurevicius, WR (TB); Omare Lowe, DB (NE); Chris Spencer*, C; Joe Tafoya, DE (ATL).

Departures: Chad Brown, LB (NE); Chike Okeafor, DE (ARI); Jerry Rice, WR (DEN); Damien Robinson, S; Anthony Simmons, LB.

The skinny: A fashionable Super Bowl pick last season, the Seahawks turned in a string of disappointing performances and won just nine games. Their most glaring shortcoming was the inability to hang on to catchable balls. Shaun Alexander came within a yard of winning the rushing title last season and has scored 70 touchdowns in the past four years.

2. ARIZONA CARDINALS

Arrivals: J.J. Arrington*, RB; Robert Griffith, S (CLE); Orlando Huff, LB (SEA); Rhett Nelson, DB (MIN); Chike Okeafor, DE (SEA); Antrel Rolle*, CB; Oliver Ross, T (PIT); Kurt Warner, QB (NYG).

Departures: Renaldo Hill, CB (OAK); Shaun King, QB; Michael Stone, DB (STL); Ray Thompson, LB; Karl Williams, WR; LeVar Woods, LB.

The skinny: This could be a surprise team. The offense is a good fit for Kurt Warner, and he has three very good receivers. Also, Dennis Green has made a career of reviving older quarterbacks. Arrington, the only NCAA back to gain more than 2,000 yards last season, should help an anemic ground game. The Cardinals could be the surprise team in the NFC.

3. ST. LOUIS RAMS

Arrivals: Alex Barron*, T; Chris Claiborne, LB (MIN); Dexter Coakley, LB (DAL); Michael Hawthorne, DB (GB); Michael Stone, DB (ARI); Roland Williams, TE (OAK).

Departures: Rich Coady, DB (ATL); Bryce Fisher, DE (SEA); Matt Lehr, G (ATL); Tommy Polley, LB (BAL); Chris Terry, RT.

The skinny: The Rams are still loaded with outstanding receivers, and running back Steven Jackson is among the league’s most promising young players. But St. Louis has plenty of holes to patch, particularly on special teams. The offensive line was porous, too, surrendering 50 sacks last season. Still, thanks to Marc Bulger and his sure-handed receivers, the Rams still finished fifth in the league in passing yardage.

4. SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS

Arrivals: Marques Douglas, DE (BAL); Jonas Jennings, T (BUF); Joe Nedney, K (TEN); Alex Smith*, QB.

Departures: Ronnie Heard, S (ATL); Todd Peterson, K (ATL); Brandon Whiting, DE; Cedrick Wilson, WR (PIT).

The skinny: Alex Smith won’t get thrown into the fire right away. The quarterback job belongs to Tim Rattay, for the moment, and so does the challenge of playing behind one of the most porous offensive lines in football. The addition of Jennings at left tackle should ensure better protection of Rattay’s blind side. One of the few bright spots is tight end Eric Johnson, who led the team in catches last season. Oft-injured Nedney has played in one game in two seasons.

* Selected in 2005 draft