So after many constructive arguments via text with many of my friends about what the eagles are (not) doing during free agency, I decided to bring our collective minds together in this post.

What they have done: Avant (5 yrs 18mil) and Weaver(3 yrs 11mil) re-signed. Reggie Brown Traded to Bucs for sixth rounder in 2011.

A few things come to mind with this. Weaver and Avant are solid and did we really just get something for reggie brown? Click below to see how much money we will save!

http://www.rotoworld.com/CONTENT/playerpages/player_contract.aspx?sport=NFL&id=3180

Throw in the Celek extension and Maclin's long 1st round contract, plus the fact we will eventually resign DeSean, offensive skill positions are pretty much set for years aside from QB (which if Kolb produces is set as well). How many teams can say that long term?

Defensively is where we can all agree the problem lies the most. Trent Cole is a complete player. Asante and Sheldon are both great in their own ways at corner. Broderick, Patterson, Dixon, Laws are definitely good enough to get the job done at DT. Are they HOF'ers? No. But they are in no way liabilities. The rest of the defense varies from below average, average, or solid but would be way more effective as a situational player (Ex. Juqua Parker.)

Therefore leading to the needs: DE, LB, FS

Now to what the front office didn't do. Peppers, Dansby, Rolle are the main three guys that could have helped us in each of their respective positions. While there's no doubt they are all upgrades, sometimes a huge upgrade, they all come with their own questions. They also all commanded huge contracts.

Peppers is a stud no doubt, but questions surround his work ethic and playing hard every down. What do we value the most in the city of Brotherly Love aside from winning championships?

Did anyone else see Dansby's contract? Miami must think he's the next Ray Lewis. The guy is good, but not worth it in my mind.

Antrel Rolle is officially the NFL's highest paid safety. Better than Reed? Better than Dawk? Better than even Kerry Rhodes? I don't think so.

The point is, while the Eagles are a very good team, signing just one wouldn't change the entire face of the defense. Signing 2 or 3 at that money is just not going to happen, even in an uncapped year.

This brings me to my main point. Talk to me after the draft. I'm OK with this off-season as of now. It's not perfect, but they honestly haven't gotten worse in any way. (Unless you count releasing Witherspoon but that could signal the drafting of a 1st round LB. Plus we get Bradley back.)

So many scenarios could occur. Trade a QB for a veteran, a draft pick, or both. Move up for a playmaker LB like McClain or S Earl Thomas.

If you made it this far, I congratulate you and this is what I ask. What's your opinion on the Eagles off season? Leave yours, take shots at mine, or just speak your mind about the birds in general. Either way, this could be a pretty cool thread as we head towards the draft.

One final note, to be as brief as possible I decided to leave my QB thoughts out, though they will probably come out in a comment so feel free to leave your opinions too.

Thanks.

Moving to the off-season. Free agent-wise barring any cuts, as of now I'd like to see Nick Collins or Antoine Bethea as a starting safety next year. Both make plays and have the speed to cover which we need in the secondary. Take a flier on Merriman if we can get him on the cheap. In the draft, we need a playmaker on defense, someone to rally around. Brandon Spikes, Rolando McClain, or Taylor Mays in the first, Navarro Bowman in the second. Do it birds.

http://950espn.com/Audio/tabid/183/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/5443/Default.aspx

The link above should lead to the DeSean Jackson radio show from last night.

Highlights of the show-

Beginning at 10:55- Jackson talks about the Dallas crowd's loudness, or lack there of.

Beginning at 16:40- Jackson responds to McNabb's comments about "showing our youth"

Beginning at 18:20- Jackson states that he had never heard the comments before and that no one in the Eagles locker room would respond well to it if they heard them.

I can't say I'm a McNabb hater, he is probably easily the best quarterback in our franchise's history. That said, he really dropped the ball in this post game press conference in my opinion. He is supposed to be our leader, one to rely on, and for him to deflect the blame off himself and onto the younger players does nothing to help this team.

Does saying that we have "shown our youth" help us prepare to win at the scene of the crime Saturday in Dallas?

Does saying that we have "shown our youth" give confidence to the younger players to make the plays needed to win Saturday?

Though it may not change the result much on Saturday, it definitely doesn't help the team to win, and therefore is shouldn't have been said, in my opinion.

http://baseball.realgm.com/src_wiretap_archives/17644/20091118/source_phillies_lead_race_for_derosa/

Personally I was hoping for Beltre, but I guess we'll see what happens. DeRosa is definitely a solid player but I see him as about the same average, a little better power, worse defensively when comparing him to Feliz. I just think Beltre could also have an Ibanez-like season. Not only because he is coming from Safeco as Ibanez did, but also because he will be hitting with much better protection in our lineup.

From what I have seen this season, JVR has produced at a rate even I couldn't personally imagine. I could easily see him to begin to run away with rookie of the year in the coming weeks. Tavares is the only rookie currently with more points with 19, but he has played 6 more games. He is only going to get better, and if he keeps playing at this level I could see him as a sleeper pick for the USA Olympic team. 16 points in 14 games played. It's nice to see the number 2 overall pick after Kane finally paying dividends after the long wait. Go Flyers!

I currently attend Penn State University, and some of my friends decided to take the time to build possibly the best beer pong table of all time. I'll let you guys be the judge though. Here is the link to the story they did it on 700Level.com...

http://www.the700level.com/2009/10/penn-state-students-build-epic-beer-pong-table-honoring-the-phillies.html

Other than that, GO PHILLIES, let's bring it home again so I can attend another parade!

Just saw the news on Sportsnation on ESPN2. I personally feel a lot more comfortable knowing we have an experienced veteran if McNabb decides to rest those ribs. Kolb I believe is still expected to start, but if he is a bust even after a full week with the starters, we can turn to a verteran. Also, I can see Vick breathing somewhat a sigh of relief knowing he will not be thrown into the fire in week 3. We look great after week 1 and I'm looking forward to bringing the blitz to Brees next week, let's go birds! Also Feeley to the Panthers.

If the Eagles should choose to go wide receiver in round 1 of the draft, I believe Nicks fits our needs the best. I believe he is built like Anquan Boldin, big, strong, and physical, and has exceptional hands. He's not only a perfect fit for the big strong possession receiver that we are looking for, but also a great complement to DeSean's speed and deep threat abilities. If he develops like I believe he will, I see him being a legit number 1 receiver that we have always lacked since T.O. This will also allow us to move Curtis to the slot, where he excelled for years in St. Louis. Nicks had a great career at UNC, and would definitely help fix all of our red zone problems. That said, I would like to see the overall opinion of Eagles fans as who should be drafted if we choose to go WR.