Philadelphia Eagles News

What A Difference A Year Makes

The Eagles won 11 games in 2009 and reached the playoffs for the second consecutive season. They were just one regular season win shy of a division title and a first-round bye in the playoffs.

But instead of returning what would have been a good team for the 2010 season, the Eagles reloaded by adding a blend of young, explosive players and hungry, battle-tested veterans. And when the Eagles take the field to open the 2010 season against the Green Bay Packers this Sunday at 4:15 PM, the starting lineup will look vastly different than the one that opened the 2009 campaign with a 38-10 drubbing of the Carolina Panthers in their own stadium.

Here is a look at the Week 1 starting lineup from 2009 and the projected starting lineup for this Sunday's game. As much as general manager Howie Roseman tweaked the offensive line at the roster cutdown deadline by acquiring Reggie Wells and trading Stacy Andrews, that's where the most continuity remains. And that's a good thing. There's also a new quarterback and running back on offense, obviously.

The defensive line remains largely intact with rookie Brandon Graham the only change in terms of starters. The linebacker corps is a different story altogether. Stewart Bradley would have been the opening day starter at middle linebacker last season if not for his knee injury. Akeem Jordan was a starter, but at the other outside linebacker spot. Ernie Sims was trying to win a game with the Lions last season.

Ellis Hobbs didn't start last season, but was rotated in during last year's season opener as an outside cornerback. For the second straight season, the Eagles start a rookie at free safety in Nate Allen. There is much optimism from players and coaches that he will be able to stabilize the position.

OFFENSE
Week 1 - 2009week 1 - 2010 (Projected)
QB Donovan McNabbQB Kevin Kolb
RB Brian WestbrookRB LeSean McCoy
FB Leonard WeaverFB Leonard Weaver
WR Kevin CurtisWR Jeremy Maclin
LT Jason PetersLT Jason Peters
LG Nick ColeLG Todd Herremans
C Jamaal JacksonC Jamaal Jackson
RG Stacy AndrewsRG Nick Cole
RT Winston JusticeRT Winston Justice
TE Brent CelekTE Brent Celek
WR DeSean JacksonWR DeSean Jackson

DEFENSE
WEEK 1 - 2009week 1 - 2010 (projected)
LDE Victor AbiamiriLDE Brandon Graham
LDT Mike PattersonLDT Mike Patterson
RDT Brodrick BunkleyRDT Brodrick Bunkley
RDE Trent ColeRDE Trent Cole
WILL Akeem JordanWILL Ernie Sims
MIKE Omar GaitherMIKE Stewart Bradley
SAM Chris GocongSAM Akeem Jordan
LCB Asante SamuelLCB Asante Samuel
RCB Sheldon BrownRCB Ellis Hobbs
SS Quintin MikellSS Quintin Mikell
FS Macho HarrisFS Nate Allen

-- Posted by Chris McPherson, 5:45 p.m., September 6

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