Heard in the Cheap Seats

At 12:01AM this morning, the NFL free agency period officially began. It is hard to stay patient, but things can happen from one minute to the next. So, I wanted to rake the opportunity to take a look at what has happened so far with the Eagles. It is just about 11Am as I am writing this, so use that as I guideline. I am heading out of town for the rest of the day, so I will not be able to update on my computer.

DAWKINS

I am going to star this post off with a negative (Big shocker!). When the clock struck midnight this morning, B Dawk became an unrestricted free agent. It’s hard for me to even type those words. I admit that I have no idea what the discussions were between Dawkins’ side and the Eagles. What I do know is that Dawkins has said repeatedly that he wants to be an Eagle. He wants one more contract before he retires. I find it hard to believe that he was asking for a ridiculous amount of money from the Eagles. So, how the hell is now a free agent? That just can’t happen! If he somehow ends up ending his career in another uniform it will be heart-breaking.

OFFENSIVE LINE

I think everybody knows that the offensive line is the position of greatest need. What we didn’t know is what the Eagles plan might be. It seemed for awhile that the plan was going to be to bring back Tra Thomas as a start, and then add to the line through free agency or the draft or both. Tra Thomas may still end up back with the Eagles, but it’s obvious now that they have not offered him a contract close to what he would like. In the meantime, it looks as though the Eagles plan to retool the offensive line may be getting clearer. It has been reported that the Eagles have signed Stacy Andrews, the older brother of Shawn Andrews. The deal is obviously pending a physical, and Stacy Andrews is coming off of ACL surgery. Maybe this signing will help keep Shawn Andrews’ head in the right place. The Eagles may end up sliding Shawn out to the right tackle position and having Stacy play inside. That would be 700 pounds of dude on the right side. Also, for a few days now it seems that the Eagles have had Ravens center Jason Brown on their radar. If they were able to sign Brown (who can play both center and guard), then it would seem that the offensive line reconstruction would be complete. They would have either Thomas (if they resigned him) or Herremans at left tackle, Brown or Jean-Giles at left guard, Jackson or Brown at center, and the Andrews brothers manning the right side. Not bad, but it hasn’t all happened yet. Keep in mind that the offensive line position is pretty loaded in this year’s draft as well.

BUCKHALTER

The running back position has officially become a desperate need for the Eagles. The indications are that Correll Buckhalter will be joining the Broncos. I have no idea what the Eagles are planning to do. They could look at Derrick Ward, but my guess is he will want to be a starter somewhere. I think their best bet would be to address the need for a big back/successor to Westbrook through the draft. There are quite a few running backs I like coming out, and at least one of them should be available to the Eagles in the draft. I’m sure there are varying opinions out there, but personally I love McCoy from Pitt. He is not a huge back like Wells, but I just think he is going to be a beast.

ANTONIO SMITH??

Supposedly the Eagles are interested in the defensive end from the Cardinals. I have no idea why personally. It would be nice to add a defensive end, but if the Eagles were going to do that it should be someone like a Julius Peppers. I know that’s off the table, I just mean a stud defensive end. We went through this last year by paying way too much money for Chris Clemons. I’m not sure why the Birds, with all the other pressing needs they have to fill, would use up money on a defensive end that had 3.5 sacks last year.

HOUSH WATCH

My gut tells me the Eagles are not going to take a serious run at Housh. Do I think he would be a huge addition to the offense? I do. I just don’t think the Eagles are willing to pay him the money that he will be asking. As I write this, Housh is apparently on a plane to visit Seattle, so stay tuned there. I would actually prefer adding Boldin (who wouldn’t?), but unless the Cardinals want to make a trade, that won’t be happening. But, let’s say the Eagles don’t get Houshmandzadeh, but they have retooled the line as we layed out, drafted a good running back, signed a fullback (which I think they will do), and somehow swung a trade for Tony Gonzalez. Would you take that? I would. We know the Eagles talked to the Chiefs about Gonzalez last season, so maybe they go after him again.

That’s about it at the moment, although, as soon as I post this other stuff will probably happen. I like the addition of Andrews to the line, but there is a lot more to be done if Eagles fans are going to be satisfied. The next few days will go along way into showing us what the Eagles offseason and draft plans are. Oh, and a quick memo from Eagles fans straight to the front office: SIGN BRIAN DAWKINS!!!!!!!!!!!