Philadelphia Eagles Potential Free Agency Targets

As an avid reader of every rumor mill, gossip and insider website known to man, it never ceases to amaze me how little you hear about the plans of the Philadelphia Eagles during the off-season. Whether it be prospective free agents or which direction the Birds are leading in the draft, nary a whisper can be heard emanating from the Nova Care Complex.
I say kudos to the Eagles for that. Jeff Lurie, Joe Banner, Tom Heckert and Andy Reid
clearly have that place sealed up tighter than Area 51. Obviously, the Eagles have
plans, and big ones I would hope, coming off of last years 6-10 debacle. The Birds
know they have lots of holes to fill, and fill them they must. But it always amazes me
how you know every piece of dirty laundry in some organizations, while the Eagles
continue to keep everything out of the public eye.
For example, the Birds signing of DE Jevon Kearse following the 2004 season came as a complete and total surprise to everyone in the NFL. No one had any idea that the Eagles had targeted Kearse as their main get that off-season. Once free agency
had begun and The Freak became available, the Birds pounced and got their man.
So while I had been a little concerned that there were no whispers coming out of
Eagles camp until today, I took comfort in the fact that the Eagles operated behind a
heavy curtain. I agree with their philosophy dont let anyone else know what
youre thinking. Its just smart business.
However, because the Eagles have been so reluctant to give Eagles fans a hint at
how theyre thinking, they leave it up to us to speculate. So, with that said, here are
some possible positions and players the Eagles could/should have their eyes on
once free agency officially begins on March 3.
OFFENSIVE LINE:
First of all, forget about Seattle OL Steve Hutchinson. Hes not going anywhere.
Seattle applied the franchise tag to him on Thursday, meaning the Seahawks can
match any offer Hutchinson brings back to them. While the Hawks do have other
needs to attend to, they know they cant afford to let the leagues best offensive
guards get away. It would take a monumental offer to pry Hutchinson away from
Seattle, and I doubt the Birds would pony up that kind of dough. However, if Seattle
does decide that they cant resign Hutchinson, expect him to be #1 on the Eagles
offseason radar.
Detroit OT Jeff Backus would have been another solid choice for the Birds, but he
was franchised by the Lions and isnt going anywhere. The best offensive lineman
left after Hutchinson and Backus is most likely Jacksonville guard Vince Manuwai.
Most think he has the potential to become one of the leagues best offensive guards,
and at 25, should be hitting his peak. If the Eagles are going to go after offensive
line help in free agency, Manuwai will most likely be their best option.
Of course, the Eagles also have a big decision to make with their own right tackle
behemoth, John Runyan. Hes an unrestricted free agent, and, based on media
reports, the Eagles are willing to wait and see what kind of offers Runyan brings
back from other teams before making him an offer. If the goal is to improve the
offensive line for next season, I think the Eagles have to bring Runyan back in
addition to adding another quality offensive lineman. However, this is the Eagles M-
O when it comes to letting go of veteran players. Hes 32 right now, and Im sure
the Eagles think is on the downside of his career. Look for him to wind up in Buffalo
with the Eagles former GM Tom Modrak.
Should Hutchinson and Manuwai both be unavailable, other options include Kevin
Shaffer from Atlanta or Denvers Matt Lepsis. Dont be surprised if the Eagles
address this need in the draft as well.
WIDE RECEIVER:
Reports in Fridays Philadelphia Daily News says the Eagles are extremely interested
in Pittsburg WR/KR Antwaan Randle-El, whose play-making ability in the playoffs
was a major reason the Steelers won Super Bowl XL. With Reggie Wayne re-signing
with Indy, Most people see Randle-El as the best or second-best WR available in free
agency. While I dont think hes got the ability to be a #1 receiver, he has shown a
lot as a downfield receiver, kick returner and all-around play-maker which could
make the Eagles very interested in his services. He also has spent a lot of time with
Donovan McNabb in the off-season training in Arizona. The Eagles will probably
have to challenge the Bears for Randle-Els services, but dont expect the Birds to
get into a bidding war over him. Randle-El is young, 26, but is probably not the go-
to receiver that Eagles fans would want.
An intriguing name that is not as of yet a free agent is Buffalo wideout Eric Moulds.
Most people seem to think that the Bills are going to cut Moulds, and if that
happens, the Eagles could be very interested. He has the size and pedigree to be a
#1 receiver and could be a perfect match for Andy Reids west-coast offense.
However, hes getting up there in age, 32, which could be a red flag for the Eagles.
However, his numbers last year were very respectable (81, 816, 4TD), and would
have been better if he didnt have Kelly Holcombe and J.P. Losman chucking him the
rock. Moulds would be my choice.
Some other names: New Englands David Givens, Clevelands Antonio Bryant, and
restricted free agent Brandon Lloyd, who is most likely the single most talented
receiver in free agency. However, because hes restricted, the Eagles would have to
give up draft picks to get him. And we all know the Eagles protect their draft picks
like stock in Google.
LINEBACKER:
The list begins and ends with San Franciscos All-Pro LB Julian Peterson. Many were
surprised with the 49ers didnt franchise or transition the five-year pro. The Eagles
have a desperate need for a play-maker at either strong-side or weak-side
linebacker, and Peterson can play in either spot. He would be a perfect compliment
to MLB Jeremiah Trotter, but would likely cost the Birds a pretty penny, and the
Eagles have never put a financial premium on the outside linebacker position.
However, last years crap-fest on defense has hopefully stirred the Eagles into being
more open to a playmaker on the outside.
If Peterson turns out to be too expensive, Carolinas Will Witherspoon is another
extremely attractive option. Only a four-year pro, Witherspoon is a bit undersized,
but has the ability to both play the run and cover tight ends out of the backfield.
Other possibilities include Jacksonvilles Akin Ayodele and Indys David Thornton.
DEFENSIVE END:
Talk about a need position perhaps if the Birds hadnt foolishly thrown away
Derrick Burgess last off-season they wouldnt have this need. However, they
desperately need another playmaker opposite Jevon Kearse, because Kearse is
clearly not good enough to beat double-teams on his own. The best DE on the
market is the Jets John Abraham, however he was franchised by New York in an
effort to trade him. Reports have the Eagles interested in possibly trading for the
six-year man, which would be a stretch to believe, seeing as how theyd have to
give up wait for it draft picks!!! But hes the best defensive end on the market.
If Abraham isnt doable, New Orleans Darren Howard is an excellent alternative. In
fact, many people believe Howard would be a better pick-up than Abraham, even
though he had a down year and missed some time due to injury. Howard would be
cheaper and has a ton of potential.
Other possibilities include Indys Robert Mathis, Green Bays Aaron Kampman and
Indys Raheem Brock. There are plenty of quality defensive ends available in free
agency, and dont be surprised if the Eagles pay to get a good one.
DEFENSIVE TACKLE:
Theres not a whole lot here, with the exception of Seattles Rocky Bernard, who had
a tremendous season in 2005, totalling 8 sacks, a great number from the tackle
position. He would be a fantastic pick-up for a defensive line that struggled to rush
the passer and get pressure inside all season long. Putting Bernard on that offensive
line next to Mike Patterson could make the Birds extremely dangerous on defense.
Arizonas Russell Davis and Clevelands Orpheus Roye are other possibilities for the
Birds to consider.
Obviously, the Eagles are not going to be able to fill all their needs in free agency.
The only position I feel the Eagles have to address in free agency and not in the
draft is wide receiver. The Eagles offense is too complex for a rookie wide receiver
to come in and grasp right away, just ask Reggie Brown and Freddie Mitchell.
And while the Eagles do have a ton of money under the cap, there isnt enough
money in the coffers to fill all these needs in free agency. But dont be surprised to
hear some of these players names mentioned come March 3, even though the
Eagles lock down their secrets in a vault more secure than Fort Knox.
The Birds have a lot of holes to fill, and the magic all begins next Friday.