Bodog Beat

Well, the Philadelphia Eagles certainly made the news of this week, adding Michael Vick. (AP Images)

Do I think he changes the futures at all for this team in 2009? I don’t, although for 2010 he definitely could. Perhaps the team wasn’t confident in Kevin Kolb as Donovan McNabb’s backup, plus Kolb was recently injured.

Oddsmakers are very high on the Eagles this year, and there is certainly plenty of talent on the Philly roster. But what about McNabb? Remember, McNabb last year struggled so badly in a Week 11 tie with the Bengals (48.3 percent completions, three picks, lost fumble in OT) and the first half of a Week 12 loss to the Ravens (44.4 percent completions, two more picks, another lost fumble) that he was benched for Kolb.

The benching seemed to do the trick, as McNabb bounced back with a huge game the following week in Arizona and played well the rest of the season. He was a big reason the Eagles advanced to the NFC title game. So was that game-and-a-half a mirage or a sign of things to come for a guy who will turn 33 this season? Certainly the Eagles are not a Super Bowl-caliber team without McNabb.

Another concern is the health of versatile running back Brian Westbrook. He’s not exactly durable as it is and is coming off both knee and ankle surgery this offseason. It’s not expected he will play in the preseason but should be ready for Week 1. Westbrook was very up and down last year, but mostly down at the end of the year. He didn’t have more than 53 yards rushing or a touchdown on the ground after Week 14 (including playoffs).

Also of concern for this team is a defense that lost its three leaders, defensive coordinator Jim Johnson, linebacker Stewart Bradley and safety Brian Dawkins. Johnson unfortunately succumbed to cancer, while Dawkins went to Denver as a free agent. Bradley, who was expected to make the defensive calls on the field, tore his ACL early in camp and will miss the season. Joe Mays, a sixth-round pick who played two games as a rookie last year, looks to be the replacement. In addition, the Eagles overhauled the offensive line, dumping long-time starters Tra Thomas and Jon Runyan.

On the positive side, the Eagles had a tremendous draft, getting both receiver Jeremy Maclin and running back LeSean McCoy. Both of those guys should help right away, and perhaps Vick can help in a Wildcat-type role whenever he is reinstated to play. And the defense should remain one of the league’s best, with new coordinator Sean McDermott expected to keep the same attacking style.

In reality, the Eagles are trying to retool on the fly. That’s hard to do.

Here is the Eagles’ 2009 schedule, and we’ll break it down after:

• Sept. 13 at Carolina Panthers, 1 p.m.
• Sept. 20 vs. New Orleans Saints, 1 p.m.
• Sept. 27 vs. Kansas City Chiefs, 1 p.m.
• Week 4: Bye
• Oct. 11 vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 1 p.m.
• Oct. 18 at Oakland Raiders, 4:05 p.m.
• Oct. 26 at Washington Redskins, 8:30 p.m.
• Nov. 1 vs. New York Giants, 4:15 p.m.
• Nov. 8 vs. Dallas Cowboys, 8:20 p.m.
• Nov. 15 at San Diego Chargers, 4:15 p.m.
• Nov. 22 at Chicago Bears, 8:20 p.m.
• Nov. 29 vs. Washington Redskins, 1 p.m.
• Dec. 6 at Atlanta Falcons, 1 p.m.
• Dec. 13 at New York Giants, 8:20 p.m.
• Dec. 20 vs. San Francisco 49ers, 1 p.m.
• Dec. 27 vs. Denver Broncos, 1 p.m.
• Jan. 3 at Dallas Cowboys, 1 p.m.

Strength of schedule: 9th (opponents combined to go 137-119, .535, in 2008)

Projected record: 10-6

Bodog over/under total: 9 1/2

Bodog odds to win NFC East: 19/10

Bodog odds to win NFC: 9/2

Bodog odds to win Super Bowl XLIV: 10/1

After opening with a game at Carolina, a very possible loss, the Eagles will be at home for three straight weeks and will be favored against the Saints, Chiefs and Bucs. The bye week is way too early for Andy Reid’s liking.

It’s important for Philly to start strong because later the team has three sets of back-to-back road games that includes two trips to the West Coast. That Oct. 18 game at Oakland is the Eagles’ first there since 1995, and they later make their first trip to San Diego in 11 years.

Oct. 26 begins an incredibly tough eight-game stretch for Philly, with five games in the division, that visit to Super Bowl contender San Diego, one at Chicago (where the Eagles lost last year) and then to another likely NFC playoff team in Atlanta. Of course, that game in Atlanta will be a circus with Vick returning to town.

At least the Eagles get a bit of a respite with the Niners and Broncos visiting before Philly concludes its regular-season schedule against the Cowboys for the second straight year – this time it’s on the road. A playoff spot could again be at stake.