There is DeSean Jackson and Jeremy Maclin and Brent Celek, and I'm not sure any team out there has a young pass-catching trio any better than those three. There is Brian Westbrook and LeSean McCoy, a pair of nifty, versatile backs who can line up anywhere in the formation and contribute in the passing game. There is Jason Avant, one of the premier slot receivers in the game.

The Eagles are well-equipped with Donovan McNabb at quarterback to excel throwing the football. The offensive line, under the direction of Juan Castillo, has provided good pass protection through four games.

This, then, is the strength and personality of the Eagles' offense. They throw the ball. They are very good at throwing the football. They have an imaginative, proven scheme with excellent coaches all around. Just about every week, the Eagles are going to find weaknesses in defenses and try to take advantage. Are there teams, for example, that have four cornerbacks and who can match up with the depth that the Eagles can throw out there, pun intended, when they spread the field?

Not many, for sure.

But there are going to be days as the temperatures in the late fall dip, and the winds start to whip, when the passing game won't fly as it is now. There are going to be games when defenses step up and offer some stern opposition.

There are going to be days when the Eagles are going to need to run the football.

And they would be well served to be ready for those afternoons and evenings.

For years and years we have discussed the pass/run ratio, understanding that the philosophy here is to pass early and hopefully get a lead, and then run the football to whittle away the clock and close out a game. Andy Reid isn't alone in that approach, but among Eagles fans his approach is often considered radical. It isn't, really. You can add up the numbers at the end of the game and determine for yourselves, but the better offenses historically throw the ball more than they run it.

Those offenses, the Eagles in past seasons included, also ran the ball well when they needed to run it. That is the component missing from the Eagles to date this season, that consistency running the football when needed.

After a strong opening game in Carolina when the Eagles ran for 185 yards, the offense has not produced well enough in the traditional run formations. Oh, they've had success spreading the field and direct snapping to McCoy and Jackson and Westbrook, but those wrinkles in the game plan are not the bread and butter for a team that figures to be a lot of close games in November and December.

There are reasons for the lack of consistent production, and the truth is that everybody probably shares the responsibility. Westbrook has been dinged. McCoy is a rookie. The offensive line hasn't had the necessary push at times. The coaches haven't dialed up the running game and kept pounding it to give the line a chance to use its brawn.

The chore ahead, starting immediately, is to get it going on the ground. Nobody is worried about the weapons in the passing game any longer. The kids are fine, just fine, and getting better. Celek is a standout tight end already in his first full season as a starter. The Eagles can spread 'em out and play throwball and not many teams can stop the attack mode.

But can the Eagles run the ball when they absolutely have to do so? Seeing Westbrook follow blocks from center Jamaal Jackson and right guard Max Jean-Gilles for a 7-yard touchdown run on Sunday against Tampa Bay was encouraging, very much so. Westbrook looked quick and elusive as he scooted through a gigantic hole. The line did a great job blowing open the running room.

There is no way that the Eagles are going to change their approach. Tweak it maybe, but not change. Not with all the talent out there throwing and catching the football. I'm not asking for a higher ratio of running plays.

Somewhere along the line, the Eagles are going to have to run the ball with confidence. Now that the offense is healthier gaining some kind of continuity, the chore is to regain some balance and some punch in the running game. The numbers of times they run the football isn't the key here. How the Eagles handle the critical situations is how the success of their running attack will be determined.