Next up in our position-by-position look at the Eagles roster during the bye week is the tight end spot. The unit is made up of an established young starter, a journeyman who hopes to have found a team to stick with, and a rookie who continues to learn. How are they doing?
What They've Accomplished: Coming off a season that put him on the brink of the Pro Bowl, Brent Celek, 25, isn't putting up quite the same numbers that he did at this point a season ago. Last year, through seven games, Celek had 37 catches for 447 yards and three touchdowns. He has only 21 catches for 229 yards and two touchdowns. In 2009, Celek topped 50 yards receiving in five of the first seven games. He's yet to top that mark once this season. Celek's absence at times from the offense has been perhaps the most mysterious aspect of the offense this season, though it should be noted that he is playing with a sore wrist. On the plus side, his blocking does seem improved. Garrett Mills was signed to the team's practice squad during Week 1 and was then called up to the active roster the following week, and he's been the No. 2 tight end since. Mills has two catches for 19 yards on the season. Fourth-round pick Clay Harbor, the only one of the Eagles' 13 draft picks to play for a non-BCS school (Missouri State), has spent much of his rookie season learning the offense. After making his debut in Week 1, Harbor has been inactive every game since, but he could be a factor in the second half.
What Lies Ahead: The Eagles offense works best when Celek is incorporated as a receiving threat down the middle of the field, so expect offensive coordinator Marty Mornhinweg to try to get Celek the ball more in the second half of the season. A week of rest should also do wonders for the tight end's ailing wrist. Mills will likely continue to hold down the fort as the backup tight end. And don't sleep on Harbor, who is a talented pass catcher and could make a surprise impact at some point down the road.
-- Posted by Bo Wulf, 9:00 p.m., October 27
