Will this team come together … and when?

There’s no question this is one of the most talented Eagles’ teams in the Andy Reid era. Guys like Westbrook, McNabb (if he’s healthy), LJ, Reggie, Lito and the Big Three in the middle of the offensive line are all at or nearing their peaks. Vets like Kearse and Dawk still seem to have plenty of gas in the tank. And the last few drafts have yielded loads of young talent with names like Cole, Bloom, Gocong and Hunt.

There are still plenty of question marks (which this article does a good job enumerating), but in most cases the possible answers are “vastly improved” or “only as good as last year.” Since these guys weren’t exactly chumps last season, that’s a good position to be in.

The great thing about the way the Eagles have built this team is that there’s no obvious window for success. Other than McNabb, there’s no one person whose retirement makes you think, “Well, that’s probably it for awhile.”

The downside of all this reshuffling is that this isn’t a veteran squad. There’s a veteran core, but that’s not the same thing.

What this means is that fans shouldn’t expect a repeat of the 2004 season, when the team came flying out of the blocks and took the league by storm right away. We’re definitely going to see some growing pains this season, especially early as the teams breaks in a handful of new starters. What we have to hope is that those early season tumbles are more of the “they shouldn’t have struggled so much in that win today” variety. As opposed to the “how in the world did they manage to lose the game, divisional lead and Jevon Kearse all at the same time” variety…

A little adversity isn’t even a bad thing. I’d love to see some of these young guys put into positions where they have to execute under pressure before we get to the playoffs. That which doesn’t result in blowing a game to a guy named Bruce Gradkowski only makes them stronger.

One last point. Let’s all take the opportunity over the next few weeks to pack up the campsite and move the tents a little further from the ledge. A 1-2 start while the team gels and McNabb gets back to form wouldn’t be the end of the world. Nor would it be cause to start calling for A.J. Feeley.

Remember, it’s a long season and it’s about peaking for the playoffs. Give these guys some time.