What They’re Saying About the Eagles

With national predictions rolling in fast and furious, it’s time to once again round up what people are saying about the Eagles.

And if you missed the last installment, click here.

Six of nine SI.com writers pick the Eagles to make the playoffs, but none think the Birds will get past the divisional round. Peter King picks them to finish 9-7 and third in the division behind the Cowboys and Giants.

Chris Burke picks Mychal Kendricks for Defensive Rookie of the Year. Andrew Perloff and Jeff Diamond peg Andy Reid for Coach of the Year. But Jim Trotter thinks Reid will be the first coach to be fired:

I don’t believe a coach will be fired during the season, so the question is, which one will be the first to be fired after the season. Although Reid’s a terrific coach, 14 seasons in one place is a century in coaching years. And with the Eagles missing the playoffs in back-to-back years for the first time during Reid’s tenure, ownership likely will want a fresh start.

Brian Billick of FoxSports.com has the Eagles first in his power rankings:

They may not be the ‘Dream Team’ and they sure as hell are not a ‘Dynasty’ but they may end up being the best team in the NFL in 2012. If Michael Vick can stay healthy for 16 games this will be the best team Andy Reid has had since 2004. If, brother, if.

Pro Football Talk has the Eagles ninth in their power rankings. Three of five PFT writers have the Eagles making the playoffs. Two of them think the Birds will advance to the NFC championship game, and one thinks they’ll fall in the divisional round.

Pete Prisco of CBSSports.com has the Eagles sixth in his power rankings:

It’s all about Mike Vick’s health. If he stays on the field, they compete for a division title. He doesn’t, they have problems.

ESPN.com has the Eagles seventh in its power rankings:

One of the deepest rosters in the league, but they had that last year too and flopped. So much rides on the health of ever-brittle QB Michael Vick.

Adam Schein of NFL.com thinks Reid deserves a little more appreciation:

I am well aware that Reid has never won the big one. I am also very aware that Reid puts the Philadelphia Eagles in the position, every single year, to truly contend for the Super Bowl. That, to me, is what matters when evaluating a coach. His players have not tuned him out.

I believe Reid can deliver a title in Philly. That’s what Lurie has to think about. Look at how the New York Giants’ Tom Coughlin has repeatedly rewarded the intelligent patience of John Mara. In my mind, there is no debating Reid’s status as a top-5 coach. He’s 126-81-1 (yes, Donovan, there are ties). Do you remember how terrible the Eagles were under Rich Kotite and Ray Rhodes? Do you remember how Reid turned the Eagles into one of the model franchises in the NFL?

NFL.com has the Eagles seventh in its power poll.

Follow Sheil Kapadia on Twitter and e-mail him at skapadia@phillymag.com.