A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | CH | I | J | K | L | M | N | O | P | Q | R | S | T | U | V | W | X | Y | Z | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9
| 2008 Philadelphia Eagles season | |
|---|---|
| Owner | Jeffrey Lurie |
| Head coach | Andy Reid |
| Home field | Lincoln Financial Field |
| Results | |
| Record | 9–6–1 |
| Division place | 2nd NFC East |
| Playoff finish | Won Wild Card Playoffs (at Vikings) 26–14 Won Divisional Playoffs (at Giants) 23–11 Lost NFC Championship (at Cardinals) 25–32 |
| Pro Bowlers | CB Asante Samuel FS Brian Dawkins |
The 2008 Philadelphia Eagles season was the franchise's 76th season in the National Football League (NFL), and the tenth under head coach Andy Reid. The Eagles improved upon their 8–8 record and a fourth-place finish in the NFC East in the 2007 season by going 9–6–1 and earning the 6th seed in the NFC Playoffs. The Eagles defeated the Minnesota Vikings 26-14 in the wild-card round. Philadelphia then upset the top-seeded New York Giants, 23-11 in the divisional round to advance to the NFC Championship Game for the first time since the 2004 season. However, the Eagles' season would end in Arizona with a 32-25 loss to the Arizona Cardinals.
Despite their low-seeding in the NFC playoffs, Football Outsiders calculated that the 2008 Eagles were the best team in the league, play-for-play.[1]
The 2006 Eagles were mentioned in the novel, but the 2008 Eagles were in the film adaptation of Silver Linings Playbook.
Offseason
Though the Eagles finished the 2007 season strong, winning their final three games, they finished 8–8 and in last place in a tough division. In the off-season, the Eagles made noise by signing star cornerback Asante Samuel from the New England Patriots on February 29, 2008, the first day that he became available. Samuel, signed to a six-year, $57 million contract, was considered the top player available in free agency, and was Philadelphia's biggest signing since Terrell Owens in 2004. The Eagles also signed defensive end Chris Clemons, and gave him a sizable signing bonus, but he struggled with injuries in the preseason, and barely made the team. Oft-injured defensive lineman Jevon Kearse returned to the Tennessee Titans and Takeo Spikes was released, with a young corps of linebackers ready to replace him. Tight end L.J. Smith, who has battled injury, was given a franchise tag to keep him in Philadelphia.
In the draft, the Eagles traded down again, lining themselves up with two first-round picks in 2009. Training camp and the preseason were mixed with good news and bad news. On the negative side, All-Pro guard Shawn Andrews had a late-start to the preseason because of a personal battle with depression. Cornerback Lito Sheppard now looked like a third wheel in the secondary behind Samuel and Sheldon Brown, and vented his frustration. A contract dispute with star running back Brian Westbrook also looked to be another distraction until the team signed him to a three-year, $21 million extension. Philadelphia's biggest issue was the weak receiving corps. In the spring, the team was unsuccessful in acquiring a big name receiver, and the situation was exacerbated when number one receiver Kevin Curtis went down with a sports hernia in the preseason, while number two receiver Reggie Brown nursed a sore hamstring. No moves were made to fix the problem, and many experts considered the Eagles too weak at the position to go deep into the playoffs. However, 5'10 second round draft pick DeSean Jackson had a great preseason, and was named as a Week 1 starter for the Eagles at receiver. Quarterback Donovan McNabb also had a strong preseason, and finally looked fully recovered from his 2006 knee surgery. The rebuilt special teams unit impressed in the preseason, with draft picks Jackson and Quintin Demps returning a punt and a kick respectively for touchdowns in an exhibition win over the Patriots.
The offense went into the season with Westbrook in his prime and a seemingly rejuvenated McNabb, but the receiving corps looked feeble, and the offensive line looked uncertain, with the aging tackles Jon Runyan and Tra Thomas anchoring the unit, and Shawn Andrews not playing until the middle of the preseason. The defense featured the deepest secondary in the NFL with Samuel, Brown, Sheppard, and veteran safety Brian Dawkins. The linebacking corps looked young and quick, and Trent Cole was the clear star on the defensive line. Possibly the most key improvement in the team over 2007 lies in the special teams, which was a consistent weakness the previous season.
Notable roster additions
- CB Asante Samuel- Signed as a free agent from the New England Patriots.
- DE Chris Clemons- Signed as a free agent from the Oakland Raiders.
- DT/FB Dan Klecko – Signed as a free agent from the Indianapolis Colts.
- TE L.J. Smith – Signed his franchise tag tender.[2]
- FB Luke Lawton- Traded from the Indianapolis Colts for a 2009 conditional draft pick.
Notable roster losses
- LB Takeo Spikes – Signed with 49ers During Free Agency
- CB William James- Signed with Bills During Free Agency
- DE Jevon Kearse – Signed with Titans During Free Agency
- FB Thomas Tapeh – Signed with Vikings During Free Agency
Philadelphia Eagles Draft
| 2008 Philadelphia Eagles draft | |||||
| Round | Pick | Player | Position | College | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | 47 | Trevor Laws | DT | Notre Dame | From Minnesota |
| 2 | 49 | DeSean Jackson * | WR | California | |
| 3 | 80 | Bryan Smith | DE | McNeese State | |
| 4 | 109 | Mike McGlynn | G | Pittsburgh | From Carolina |
| 4 | 117 | Quintin Demps | S | UTEP | From Minnesota |
| 4 | 131 | Jack Ikegwuonu | CB | Wisconsin | |
| 6 | 184 | Mike Gibson | OT | California | |
| 6 | 200 | Joe Mays | LB | North Dakota State | Compensatory Pick |
| 6 | 203 | Andy Studebaker | DE | Wheaton | Compensatory Pick |
| 7 | 230 | King Dunlap | OT | Auburn | From Seattle |
| Made roster † Pro Football Hall of Fame * Made at least one Pro Bowl during career | |||||
Staff
| Philadelphia Eagles 2008 staff | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Front office
Head coaches
Offensive coaches
|
Defensive coaches
Special teams coaches
Strength and conditioning
| |||||
Roster
Schedule
Preseason
| Week | Date | Opponent | Result | Record | Venue | Recap |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | August 8 | at Pittsburgh Steelers | L 10–16 | 0–1 | Heinz Field | Recap |
| 2 | August 14 | Carolina Panthers | W 24–13 | 1–1 | Lincoln Financial Field | Recap |
| 3 | August 22 | at New England Patriots | W 27–17 | 2–1 | Gillette Stadium | Recap |
| 4 | August 28 | New York Jets | L 20–27 | 2–2 | Lincoln Financial Field | Recap |