Eagles boast a deep and dangerous receiving corps

On the first play of his first drive as the Eagles starter, Kevin Kolb hit DeSean Jackson in stride for 21 yards. On his second throw in that preseason game, he found Jeremy Maclin for 29.

Welcome to the Eagles air attack, 2010 edition.

Two plays after hitting Maclin, Kolb targeted Jason Avant and then Brent Celek. Both passes were incomplete, but the point remains. When Kolb drops back to throw, he'll be surveying an all-you-can-eat buffet of receiving talent and variety, from the speedy Jackson and Maclin to the sure-handed Avant to the big, reliable Celek.

And his platter that night didn't even include rookie Riley Cooper, a big wideout who impressed in training camp. On his first play in that game, Cooper caught a 46-yard bomb from Michael Vick.

Of course, the deep talent pool makes for phenomenal potential and at least one question: how to utilize all the ability when there are only so many passes to go around.

Dick Vermeil, who faced a similar situation when he coached Rams teams loaded with skill players, said it was important on his teams to spread opportunities around early to keep all his players involved.

"Sometimes kids need to get their motor running early. Get them involved early, they play better," Vermeil said at a recent Eagles practice. "Not because they're selfish, [but] because they want to make a contribution."

In an offense still committed to passing, there should be many chances for Eagles receivers, though perhaps less room for some of the stars who emerged last year.

Defenses will likely be on the lookout for Jackson and Celek after they each posted huge numbers in 2009, offensive coordinator Marty Mornhinweg said.

"Part of that is my job to put them in situations [to] have success," despite the added attention, he said.

That's where Maclin, Avant, and tailback LeSean McCoy, a smooth route runner out of the backfield, factor in.

Depending on the game and circumstances, Mornhinweg said, he may lean on any of them for a big day.

"On any given play, I think any of us can be open," Celek said. "We've got so many weapons all over the field. If they want to try to double any of us, it's going to be tough."

After each beginning their careers on the receiving end of Donovan McNabb passes, there are adjustments with Kolb, who throws with less force but more accuracy - but still had enough strength to hit Jackson on several deep throws in camp.

"It's just different timing," Avant said. With McNabb, "you knew where the ball would be, how it would come, so you've got to learn all that with Kevin."

The offense, passing game included, was still a work in progress in the preseason, with the unit failing to score a touchdown. When Kolb did hit Avant for a score, it was called back by penalty.

Still young, the receivers and tight ends have the opportunity to keep improving. Jackson (62 catches, 1,156 yards last season), Celek (76, 971) and Avant (41, 587) have each improved statistically every year of their careers. Youth, though, is often tied to inconsistency.

Maclin (56, 773), after a strong rookie year, had some hiccups in the preseason. He lost a fumble to the Bengals and dropped several passes against the Chiefs.

Celek, too, had a quiet summer. When he was targeted on that initial preseason drive, he dropped a throw that would have resulted in a touchdown.

Jackson, meanwhile, reminded everyone of his dynamic talents and showed himself to be the best piece of the Eagles' best unit.

He dropped just one pass in training camp, according to Mornhinweg. Looking like an angular bolt of lighting flashing across the field, Jackson caught six passes for 121 yards, and added a jaw-dropping 17-yard run in his first three preseason quarters.

Entering his third season, Jackson refused to make any predictions about his forthcoming year, and the rest of the pass catching group also demurred when asked about individual roles.

"We've got a lot of unselfish guys on this team, and as long as we're winning games, that's all that really matters," said Celek.