The team formerly known as the Eagles

4-6, 0-fer in the division, and a defense that is a shadow of its former self. Forget Andy Reid's playcalling that at times makes you wonder if he's ever paced an NFL sideline. Forget Donovan McNabb and whether or not he's overrated. And forget Terrell Owens and his 12 hour hearing. This Philadelphia team has always relied on its defense as its backbone. Secondaries of the past and secondary of the present alike, both could singlehandedly keep the Eagles in games. Troy Vincent, Bobby Taylor as d-backs in years past; Lito Sheppard, Michael Lewis as pro-bowlers last year. Brian Dawkins as a constant throughout. All of a sudden this year, mediocre QB after mediocre QB has lit this Eagles secondary up like the Christmas tree in Times Square. Drew Bledsoe, Jake Plummer, and even Eli Manning. Manning differs from the other two in that he is well on his way to becoming a very good quarterback, but let's face it Jim Johnson shouldn't have a problem making a second year quarterback look like exactly that. But credit Manning and the Giants they basically sealed the deal on the Eagles 2005 season. The last 3 weeks the Eagles have gone 0-3 against the division, each game winnable. We all know McNabb choked away the last two games against Dallas and Washington, but again it was the Eagles defense that dissapeared on 3rd and 4 late in the 4th quarter against New York. Lito Sheppard is looking absolutely nothing like the pro-bowl CB that he was last year and Sheldon Brown isn't looking much better. Plaxico Burress burned Brown by at least 5 yards sealing the deal in yesterday's game. But its not like this was a one time thing, both Sheppard and Brown have been looking more like Al Harris than Bobby Taylor and Troy Vincent all season. Terry Glenn torched Sheppard time after time in the Cowboys first matchup with the Eagles in Dallas, and since Sheppard has looked lost. And I'm not putting all the blame on the two young d-backs, let's look at the big picture: Brian Dawkins is still one of the best safeties and hardest hitting players in the game, but he's getting old. He is defintely not a coverage safety, he's lost a step or two, and he hasn't been able to help the young corners the way he has in the past. Also DT Corey Simon gone to the Colts, this one is on the front office. The Eagles simply aren't getting to the quarterback, which also makes it tougher on the secondary. Other key losses : Hugh Douglas - he's been nothing but trouble in the whole TO saga but I still think he had something left in the tank; Ike Reese - special teams and locker room leader - I still don't understand the thinking in letting him go to the Falcons. Derrick Burgess - lookin pretty good on the Raiders front four. Maybe coaches like Bill Parcells, Tom Coughlin, and Mike Shannahan have finally figured out the various schemes of defensive mastermind Jim Johnson. But at the same time, he just doesn't have the personell he did in the past.