Players Added
Mike Bell/RB - He's the powerback that the team has been looking for in
recent seasons. Bell will be the main backup to new starting RB LeSean McCoy.
Dwayne Wright/FB - Wright was a running back his entire career, but will be
transitioning to fullback with the Eagles.
Hank Baskett/WR - Here's an underrated signing. Baskett was an important special
teams player for the team in the past. He also blocks well in the running game
and can start if needed. He also gives them badly needed size at receiver.
Durant Brooks/P - He had not gotten hurt with the Green Bay Packers a few years
ago, Brooks might still be their punter. He'll challenge Sav Rocca for the top
job at that position with the Eagles.
Darryl Tapp/DE - Tapp is strong and plays with a high motor. But his role with
the Seattle Seahawks was reduced quite a bit last season. The Eagles believe
he'll be a better fit for their defensive scheme than with Seattle's.
Alex Hall/LB - He flashed some pass rushing skills earlier in his career, but
Hall has to show that he can transition well to Philadelphia's 4-3 defensive
scheme.
Marlin Jackson/S - It remains to be seen if he'll be able to move at an
acceptable level after suffering his second ACL injury. Even if Jackson makes
the team, he'll still have a lot to prove based on his injury history.
Players Lost
Donovan McNabb/QB - The team is very high on Kevin Kolb, so it was
clearly time to move McNabb. McNabb should have three to four good years left in
him with the Washington Redskins.
Brian Westbrook/RB - He turns 31 in September and appears to be on his last legs
as a player. He still could fit in a complementary role with 5-7 touches/game.
Reggie Brown/WR - He was traded to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Brown, despite
being buried on the depth chart with the Eagles, could actually start for his
new team.
Kevin Curtis/WR - He turns 32 in July and clearly looked to be on the downside
of his career last season. Curtis, however, could fit in as a third receiver.
Alex Smith/TE - He had trouble holding on to the ball. Smith, however, is still
a decent second tight end.
Shawn Andrews/G-OT - The very talented offensive lineman hasn't played since
early in the 2008 season.
Darren Howard/DE - He was Philadelphia's nickel pass rusher the past few
seasons. They'll have to find a replacement for his role.
Jason Babin/DE - He did a nice job in his role as a fourth end last season.
Chris Clemons/DE - His performance regressed a bit last season, so the team
traded him for Tapp.
Chris Gocong/LB - He was out of position in Philadelphia's 4-3 defensive scheme.
The Browns will use him as a pass-rushing, two-down player.
Will Witherspoon/LB - His play severely regressed late last season, so the team
didn't feel his high base salary was worth keeping around. Akeem Jordan is
currently the starter at WLB.
Jeremiah Trotter/LB - He would only be considered to be re-signed if the team
had an injury at MLB.
Tracy White/LB - He's a solid special teamer. White participated in a team-high
68.5 percent of the special teams snaps, according to a league source.
Sheldon Brown/CB - He never was going to get the raise in pay that he was
looking for, so the team eventually dealt him away to the Browns. The problem is
they don't have his replacement set in stone at this point.
Sean Jones/S - At one point earlier in his career with the Cleveland Browns,
Jones looked like he was on the verge of becoming a star. But over the past few
seasons, he hasn't played to anywhere near that level.
Pre-Draft Team Needs
Cornerback - With the trade of Brown, cornerback becomes perhaps the
biggest need for this team heading into the draft. Ellis Hobbs, who is coming
back from neck surgery, would be considered to be the starter at this point.
Center - Starting C Jamaal Jackson is not expected to be ready for the start of the regular season, so this position now is a priority. Jackson also turns 30 next month. Versatile backup OL Nick Cole is slated to fill in.
Free Safety - The team is hopeful that recently signed DB Marlin Jackson
will be ready to compete for this job in training camp. However, he's coming
back from his second ACL injury. Macho Harris showed versatility last season,
but whether he's ready to start full-time remains to be seen. They handed the
job to Quintin Demps last season after Brian Dawkins left, but Demps was a big
disappointment.
Defensive Tackle - It may not be on the fans list of needs, but Philadelphia
needs a disruptive force from the interior of their defensive line.
Other Issues to Address
Running Back Depth
Right Tackle Depth
Guard Depth
Defensive End Depth
Weak-Side Linebacker Depth
Strong Safety Depth