This 2010 season will offer a perfect illustration for why the Philadelphia Eagles, with eight playoff appearances and five conference title games, have been the NFC’s most successful team over the past 10 years.

Eagles fans being – shall we say, the passionate bunch that they are? – might not appreciate, or even notice, this illustration. After all, the Eagles seem destined for 8-10 wins, which won’t cut it in the City of Brotherly Love.

But we’re talking about 8-10 wins for a team undergoing a seismic rebuilding effort. Only one player, save for the kicker and punter, is over 30 years old (Juqua Parker). Just 23 players have more than three years of experience. Veteran leader Brian Westbrook is gone. And, you may have heard, so is the quarterback.

It was nothing short of shocking for the Eagles to trade Donovan McNabb within the division. They could have sent him to Football Siberia to finish out his career wearing silver and black, but McNabb would not have signed a contract extension there. Trading McNabb to the friendly environment of Washington was likely not Andy Reid’s ideal scenario. But no matter what, you don’t deal a star quarterback to a division foe unless you have unwavering confidence in the man replacing that star quarterback, and unwavering confidence in your program altogether. There will be endless comparisons between the 26-year-old Kevin Kolb and 34-year-old McNabb. We’ll dip into some right now by saying that Kolb doesn’t have McNabb’s cannon arm, but as some of the Eagle receivers have already proclaimed, he is superior in the accuracy department.

More likely, though, Kolb will be compared not to McNabb but to Aaron Rodgers. Rodgers, like Kolb, is a rare breed in this era: the franchise quarterback who sat and learned for three years before taking the reigns. Rodgers has been an instant sensation as the starter in Green Bay. People look at this Eagles roster, loaded with young stars/potential stars like receivers DeSean Jackson (23 years old) and Jeremy Maclin (22), tight end Brent Celek (25) and last year’s second-round running back LeSean McCoy (22), and realize that if Kolb follows Rodgers’s path, this will be a Super Bowl offense in two years (or sooner).

People assume the Eagle defense is always solid if not spectacular. But right now, Philly’s D is rebuilding just as much as the O. Replacing the late, great Jim Johnson was not an easy task for 36-year-old coordinator Sean McDermott last season. Part of the problem was McDermott didn’t have future Hall of Fame safety Brian Dawkins. That loss of sideline and on-field leadership resulted in an uncharacteristically inconsistent Philly defense.

The hope is that the arrival of secondary coach Dick Jauron can help fill part of the Johnson and Dawkins voids. But obviously, any significant improvements will derive from the players. The personnel has been shuffled on all three levels. The linebacking corps welcomes newcomers Ernie Sims and Alex Hall, who join Moise Fokou, Akeem Jordan and Omar Gaither in their game of musical chairs at the outside spots. The defensive end position was reloaded with the trade for Darryl Tapp and drafting of Brandon Graham (whom the Eagles traded up 11 spots to select). In the secondary, Dawkins’s replacement, Nate Allen, was drafted in the second round this past spring, and longtime starting cornerback Sheldon Brown was dealt to Cleveland along with linebacker Chris Gocong (Philly received Alex Hall and a few mid-round picks in exchange).

New untested quarterback? Youthful skill position players? Revamped defense? For most clubs, this spells 4-12 or 5-11. But the Eagles aren’t “most clubs”. Owner Jeffrey Lurie and the front office – led by Reid, team president Joe Banner and new GM Howie Roseman – are constantly planning ahead and investing in the future. This rebuilding project actually commenced last season, when McDermott took over, Dawkins went to Denver and mainstay offensive linemen Tra Thomas and Jon Runyan were replaced by Jason Peters and Winston Justice. The dismissal of Westbrook and McNabb is merely the culmination of a two-year shift.

But you can already hear the Eagle fans: Big bleepin’ deal! Give us rings! Perhaps the fans’ impatience is justified. After all, as successful as this franchise has been, the NovaCare Complex still has no Lombardi Trophies on display.

Offense

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, for example. The Eagles took the PR 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 offseason 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 $5.2 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, he’ll be little more than a Wildcat novelty. This offense hinges on the development of Kevin Kolb. His precision accuracy but average arm strength will induce coordinator Marty Mornhinweg to 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 today – if not the premier big-play weapon. His eight touchdowns of fifty yards or longer last season tied an NFL record. Jackson is not just a vertical threat; he’s capable of running virtually the entire route tree and moving the chains underneath. That said, his sheer speed is what makes him 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 (6’3”, 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 NFL rookie season after re-tearing the ACL. If he’s unable to hold up, either 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 shoes, but this isn’t to say the ascending second-year pro isn’t soft-handed and adroit in the flats. McCoy must continue to improve as a blocker, though.

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 offseason, inking New Orleans goal-line runner Mike Bell to 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 extremely light feet and swift lateral agility 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 seriously 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 squatty but acceptable 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.

Defense

The success of Philadelphia’s 46 defense is predicated on having a top-notch secondary. Whether it was Troy Vincent-Bobby Taylor, Lito Sheppard-Sheldon Brown or Asante Samuel-Sheldon Brown, this team has always boasted an outstanding cornerback tandem under Reid. But Brown is now gone and Samuel, despite leading the NFL with nine interceptions a year ago, is drawing the ire of coaches for ignoring assignments and freelancing. Samuel, arguably the game’s best off-coverage corner, cares about interceptions and little else.

The primary concern is who will replace Brown. No outsiders excerpt for fourth-round pick Trevard Lindley – who observers say is similar to Samuel – were brought in. Ellis Hobbs is penciled in as the No. 2, but he’s coming off a serious neck surgery. Plus, he didn’t dazzle as a backup corner early last season. Joselio Hanson is clamoring for a chance to start, but his finesse style seems better suited for nickel duties.

Macho Harris is moving back to his collegiate position of corner, but that has more to do with his struggles as a safety. Harris and cocky third-year pro Quintin Demps were humbled in centerfield last season. (Demps has admitted that he tried to do too much.) Now, both are behind rangy second-round rookie Nate Allen. If Allen can stabilize the free safety position, strong safety Quintin Mikell should return to being a quick-hitting playmaker. With Dawkins gone, the soon-to-be 30-year-old Mikell is the leader of this defense; he needs to play like it in 2010.

Philly should have its best defensive line in years. Reid and company love right end Trent Cole so much that they traded up 11 spots in the first round to draft his clone, Brandon Graham (13^th overall). Cole and Graham are both undersized but energetic attackers. Graham obviously has to prove himself. Cole, now in his sixth season, is one of the foremost all-around defenders in the game. His ability to pursue ballcarriers through trash is outstanding.

Talented as Graham is, he almost certainly won’t start ahead of Juqua Parker right away. Though not a burner, Parker has surprising quickness off the edges. He can also play the run. It’s a little surprising the Eagles traded for Seattle’s Darryl Tapp. Tapp lacks girth, but good technique allows him to stop the run, both as an anchor and chaser. The question is whether that means he can hold off Graham and steal snaps from Parker.

Antoine Dixon and Trevor Laws provide good depth inside, but their sightings are infrequent, as Mike Patterson and Broderick Bunkley form a vociferous duo that rarely comes off the field. Neither Patterson nor Brinkley is a star, but both force opposing guards to really work. Reaping the benefits of this will be middle linebacker Stewart Bradley who, nearly 12 months removed from ACL surgery, is looking to resume his journey down the path to stardom. Bradley’s size and agility are difference-making elements – evidenced in how lost this linebacking unit was without him last year.

Former Lion Ernie Sims will hold down the weakside job. Coaches, taken by Sims’s speed and ability to defend passes underneath, are anticipating significant upgrades to the nickel and dime packages this season. Simms must prove he has regained the confidence he lost over the past two years in Detroit, though.

Moise Fokou, a 2009 seventh-round pick, will get the first look on the strong side He’s not bad in traffic. Of course, he’s not a playmaker, either. Akeem Jordan is a better athlete, but he’s more fit to play in space. Omar Gaither flashed great potential early in his career but has since fallen out of favor. In fact, it’s highly unlikely that Gaither will come off the bench before athletic but unaccomplished ex-Brown Alex Hall.

Special Teams

Renowned special teams coach Bobby April was brought in to clean up this unit. Expect more enthusiasm and consistency all-around. David Akers may not have quite the range and accuracy that he had a few years ago, but he’s still an upper echelon kicker. Sav Rocca is one of the best placement punters in the game. Last season he downed 26 balls inside the 20 and had only four touchbacks. Teams should never, under any condition, punt to DeSean Jackson. In the kick return game, Ellis Hobbs was once a star, but coaches may choose to preserve him for defense. If that’s the case, Macho Harris or Quintin Demps would likely get the nod.

Bottom Line

If Kolb is an instant star, this team is a legit threat in the NFC East. If he’s merely solid (as expected), the Eagles will, for essentially the fifth-straight year, push for a 9-7/10-6 type finish. Of course, this time, they’ll be that laying serious groundwork for the future.

Predicted: 3^rd NFC East

Andy Benoit is the founder of www.NFLTouchdown.com and writer for CBSSports.com’s NFL Blog. He can be contacted at andy.benoit –at – NFLTouchdown.com.