Philadelphia Eagles focuses on Christina Lurie

Is the confidence in Kolb justified? Will Philadelphia's receiving corps round into the NFL's best? Can the team field a healthy, reliable center? The Eagles have been hurting at safety since letting  Brian Dawkins go. Is rookie Nate Allen ready to make an impact? How will the return of Stewart Bradley help stabilize the defense at linebacker?

The latest installment in the Philadelphia Inquirer's series examining the people who run the new Philadelphia Eagles jerseys focuses on Christina Lurie, the wife of owner Jeffrey Lurie. And it reveals an interesting detail about the one time Christina Lurie had some say on a football decision.

The Inquirer story details all the ways Christina Lurie is involved in the Eagles, portraying her as someone who cares deeply about the team but who views her role as separate from the jobs of the players and coaches. But the paper reports that there was one exception to that, one time in the 17 years the Luries have owned the team, when Christina Lurie did have say in a football decision: The decision to sign Michael Vick.

According to the Inquirer, the Vick signing was the exception to Christina Lurie's policy of having no say in football decisions, because the signing of Vick, who had recently been released from prison, had social ramifications. And how the Eagles are perceived by the community is important to Christina Lurie.

Maybe Reid and the front office don't deserve to be draped in praise. It's not like every personnel decision they've made has been right. Take Michael Vick. The Eagles took the P.R. hit and signed the once-electrifying star, giving him a back-loaded two-year contract. Vick was a shell of his former self last season – maybe even a shell of a shell. When the off-season rolled around, the Eagles shopped him hard. But no team was willing to trade a mid-round pick for a rusty, controversial quarterback with a $3.75 million base salary. Thus, the Eagles settled on Vick as their backup in 2010, then saw his name associated with a Virginia nightclub shooting in late June. As free-agent signings go, this one classifies somewhere around "disastrous."

But enough about Vick – if he remains with the team, Asante Samuel he'll be little more than a Wildcat novelty. This offense hinges on the development of Kevin Kolb. His  accuracy but average arm strength suggest that coordinator Marty Mornhinweg will run a more traditional West Coast scheme in 2010. Kolb couldn't ask for better resources to throw to. DeSean Jackson has emerged as one of the premier big-play weapons in the game  – if not the premier big-play weapon. His eight touchdowns of 50 yards or longer last season tied an N.F.L. record. Jackson is not just a vertical threat; he's capable of running virtually the entire route tree and moving the chains underneath. But it's his sheer speed that makes him so valuable (speaking of value, last November Jackson hired Drew Rosenhaus to help him get a new contract; expect a deal after this season).

Jackson lifts coverages on a regular basis. This sets up one-on-one matchups for Jeremy Maclin and allows tight end Brent Celek to operate against linebackers. Maclin is a future star with a skill set similar to Jackson's, but he must get tougher. Celek has modest speed but capitalizes on favorable matchups. Thick-framed slot receiver Jason Avant also exploits matchup problems, particularly over the middle.

The Eagles will try to get No. 4 receiver Hank Baskett (6'4", 220) involved in the passing game, as well as tight end Cornelius Ingram. However, fifth-round rookie Riley Cooper, who is essentially Baskett with more speed, could steal snaps. The athletic Ingram missed his senior season at Florida with a torn left ACL, and then missed his '09 rookie season after re-tearing the ACL. If he's unable to hold up,  receiving specialist Martin Rucker or fourth-round rookie Clay Harbor will get a shot.

For years, Brian Westbrook was an integral part of the passing attack. LeSean McCoy doesn't quite have the versatility to fill Westbrook's cleats, but  he is soft-handed and adroit in the flats. McCoy must continue to improve as a blocker.

With the inexperienced Kolb under center and McCoy having a decent burst running between the tackles, the Eagles should be more committed to the ground game in 2010. They were the only team to sign a restricted free agent this off-season, landing  New Orleans goal-line runner Mike Bell with a one-year, $1.7 million deal. Bell is an excellent No. 2 rusher, though in two-tight end, one-back formations, expect Philly to continue featuring fullback Leonard Weaver. The '09 Pro Bowler has  light feet  for a 250-pounder.

The inconsistency of the front five dumps cold water on this talented young offense. Left tackle Jason Peters received honors last season, but that was strictly due to name recognition and fat paychecks. In reality, Peters was one of the worst blind side guardians in the game. He has boundless talent but must  polish his fundamentals.

Left guard Todd Herremans has great size (6'6", 321) and adequate short-range mobility, but he hasn't fully regained his pre-injury form of 2007. Center Jamaal Jackson tore his ACL in December and may not be available until Halloween (if at all). Filling in for Jackson will be guard Nick Cole.

Right guard Stacy Andrews took a pay cut to remain with the club. The Eagles are hoping he's now completely over his knee problems and more comfortable with offensive line coach Juan Castillo's blocking techniques. If he's not, Max Jean-Gilles – who is 50 pounds slimmer after gastric lap-band surgery – will get a look. Right tackle Winston Justice has blossomed into the team's most consistent blocker.