Three Burning Questions Facing the Philadelphia Eagles

Oct 27, 2013; Philadelphia, PA, USA; A football lies on the Philadelphia Eagles sideline during the first half against the New York Giants at Lincoln Financial Field. The Giants won the game 15-7. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports

Philadelphia Eagles fans have had plenty of time to digest the Eagles 2014 Draft. On Thursday, the Philadelphia Eagles wrapped up their first round of OTAs and will begin round two on Monday.  With the Philadelphia Eagles in the midst of OTAs, I started thinking about the most important questions the Eagles need to answer in order to be successful in 2014 and beyond.

These are the three burning questions that face the Philadelphia Eagles:

Question 1: Can Philadelphia Eagles Head Coach Chip Kelly avoid a sophomore slump?

Chip Kelly returned the Eagles to prosperity after taking over a team that won a combined 12 games the last two seasons, missing the playoffs in both. Kelly has done it his way. The Eagles head coach ousted Washington Redskins wide receiver DeSean Jackson after his most productive season with the organization. After watching the 2014 draft unfold and watching Kelly add Philadelphia Eagles wide receivers Jordan Matthews and Josh Huff, I am starting to like the Eagle’s wide receivers more.  I have faith in Kelly and I like the direction the Eagles coach has the team headed.

Question 2: Can Eagles quarterback Nick Foles improve on an already stellar 2013 season?

After starting the 2013 training camp in a quarterback competition with New York Jets quarterback Michael Vick, Foles proved as he was the right man for the job as the season unfolded. Foles’ had a 27/2 touchdown to interception ratio while leading the Eagles to a wildcard home playoff game. For the Eagles to prosper in 2014, Foles has to play better than he did last season. Winning the division the year before brings a whole new laundry list of challenges the Eagles must overcome. Foles’ development is going to determine how far this Eagles team will go in 2014.

Question 3: Has the Eagles defense done enough in the off season to get better?

The Eagles brass has brought in the players they saw fit to help improve one of the worst defenses last season. The Eagles pass defense ranked 32nd by season’s end. I was downright mortified watching the Eagles secondary last season. The Eagles brass decided to bring back safety Nate Allen and bring in safety Malcolm Jenkins. Jenkins fits the bill of what Eagles defensive coordinator Billy Davis wants to do on defense. Allen played better in a contract year last season, and the Eagles saw fit to bring him back on a one-year deal. Indications are that the Eagles coaching staff are hoping safety Earl Wolff will take over Allen’s safety spot. I hope Wolff makes the necessary strides to enter the starting lineup. The Eagles front office brought in cornerback Nolan Carroll and safety Chris Maragos, who played on the Super Bowl Champion Seattle Seahawks last season. Maragos was signed for special teams purposes and safety depth, but the experience he brings from winning a championship cannot be taken for granted. The Eagles also used a fourth round draft pick on Jaylen Watkins out of Florida. Watkins projects to be a special teams player, but will also provide much needed cornerback depth. Only time will tell whether or not the Eagles defense will gel and make fans forget about last season’s porous pass defense.

The Philadelphia Eagles will answer these three burning questions throughout OTAs and Training Camp. As fans we must remember this is the time when the Eagles are learning the scheme, each other, and the playbook. All of our questions will be answered very soon.