Eagles' receivers hoping to measure up

January 16, 4:28 AMPhiladelphia Eagles ExaminerGordie Jones

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Kevin Curtis missed the season's first six games.

Talk about your stark contrasts.

In one corner Sunday afternoon, we will have the Arizona Cardinals’ three-headed receiving corps of Larry Fitzgerald, Anquan Boldin and Steve Breaston – all of whom generated 1,000 yards through the air during the regular season.

In the other, we have the Eagles’ threesome of DeSean Jackson, Kevin Curtis and Jason Avant, who combined for 1,679 aerial yards.

So among other things, the NFC Championship Game will once again put to the test the Eagles’ organizational belief that they can win without a dominant receiver. That the best approach is for Donovan McNabb to spread it around, keep defenses off-balance, etc.

And it is true that the road to the first four playoff appearances of the Andy Reid Era was paved by the James Thrashes, Todd Pinkstons, Torrance Smalls and Charles Johnsons of the world. But it is also true that the Eagles did not make it to the Super Bowl under Reid until they acquired Terrell Owens before the 2004 season. (Little did they know at the time the sort of Faustian deal they had made.)

It is also worth noting that the Eagles made a pitch for Randy Moss when he was a free agent back in March. And that there were reports that they attempted to trade for Fitzgerald, using cornerback Lito Sheppard as bait.

Moss re-signed with the Patriots. The Cards, apparently uninterested in anything the Eagles had to offer, extended Fitzgerald’s contract by four years and $40 million. The Eagles, left with what they had, again found their way into the playoffs. But can they win now? That’s what still must be proven.

Jackson had, on balance, a fine first season, leading the team with 62 catches for 912 yards, each Eagles rookie records. But there were also some down moments, as when he dropped the ball before crossing the goal line in the first Dallas game.  Or when he dropped what would have been the tying touchdown pass in the final minute of the second Washington game.

He figures to get better, figures to evolve into a steadier, more explosive No. 1.

As for Curtis, he missed the first six games after undergoing surgery for a sports hernia in August, making it impossible to follow up on a 2007 season in which he became the team’s second 1,000-yard receiver since Reid took over in 1999. He finished with just 33 regular-season catches, while playing nine games.

“It’s been up and down all year,” Curtis said after last week’s playoff victory over the Giants. “I know when I decided to go in and get the surgery done, this is why I wanted to get healthy – because I wanted to be playing in January. I always felt with this team, this is our year. This is our chance to get a ring. That’s always the goal, and we’re a step closer today. I’d prefer to be healthy all year long, but it’s so good to feel healthy now, and playing this time of year.”

Curtis had a critical drop early in the third quarter of that game, one play after McNabb had connected with Avant, his third-down specialist, to convert a third-and-20. Curtis had beaten cornerback Jason Webster down the left sideline, and McNabb led him perfectly. But the ball eluded his grasp.

“I don’t think I’ve ever dropped a ball like that in my life,” Curtis said. “It doesn’t get easier than that. ... It would have been hard putting that behind me, if we didn’t come out and win the game.”

The goal was to atone. And the sooner, the better.

“I wanted the ball,” he said, “and I wanted to try to make up for it.”

Two plays later, he did, catching a slant with Webster on his back for a gain of 15. And that would lead, in time, to the go-ahead field goal in a game the Eagles won, 23-11.

As has become typical, seven different Eagles caught passes. Jackson, Avant and Curtis led the way, with four receptions apiece.

Spreading the wealth was the right approach that day, and on many other days.

But now? That's the question.

“The receivers have learned to withstand some criticism around here,” said Avant, who had a career-high 32 catches during the regular season, 13 of them resulting in third-down conversions. “And hopefully it will go off us this year.”

Only one way to do that.