EAGLES FANTASY NEWS

March 6, 2006 4:00 PM ET

The Eagles came crashing down in 2005, and that's stating the case nicely. Little went right following the Super Bowl loss, and the team fell apart early in training camp. Equipped with new agent Drew Rosenhaus, Terrell Owens complained about Donovan McNabb, grumbled about his contract, wouldn't talk to his offensive coordinator, earned a suspension, did sit-ups in his driveway, and generally disrupted the scene. For all that, though, Owens was only one part of the problem.

Brian Westbrook grumbled about his contract, Correll Buckhalter and Todd Pinkston suffered season-ending injuries in early August, Tra Thomas was a huge question mark following surgery to remove a blood clot in his leg, Corey Simon held out and was eventually released, Hollis Thomas was unhappy, and Jerome McDougle never recovered after being shot in July.

And those are just the notable preseason issues. We don't need to torture Eagles' fans with the rest of the story, which included 15 players on injured reserve and another two on the PUP. This offseason brought further pain with offensive coordinator Brad Childress moving to Minnesota, but head coach Andy Reid found an in-house replacement with Marty Mornhinweg. The real healing process is about to begin, though. Owens is set to be released within the coming week, and the free agency and draft periods will welcome a bunch of new faces to the nest.

Needs
McNabb is chiseled in as the starting quarterback, but the depth chart is wide open behind him. Mike McMahon looked awful as last season's replacement, and Koy Detmer's best roles involve holding kicks and holding clipboards. The Eagles may release both passers, and rumors have the team targeting Jeff Garcia.

While the Eagles certainly won't turn into a run-heavy team under Reid, don't be surprised if they add a bigger back to amplify their ground attack. Westbrook is an injury risk, Buckhalter can't be counted on to return or stay healthy, Ryan Moats is young and small, and Lamar Gordon wasn't an answer. The team might also search for a fullback, unless they figure Thomas Tapeh can step up after missing all of 2005.

Reggie Brown and Pinkston give the Eagles two useful receivers, but they'll want to add a third option to that mix and push Greg Lewis down the depth chart to fourth. Antwaan Randle El and Eric Moulds have been mentioned, but the team could also address this position in the draft. At tight end, L.J. Smith has proven to be a good pass-catcher, but they need a complementary blocker.

All that being said, offensive line is the biggest issue on this side of the ball. Right tackle Jon Runyan is a free agent, and left tackle Thomas is coming off serious back surgery. Reports out of Philadelphia have former Saints center/guard LeCharles Bentley signing with the Eagles as soon as possible, which will help greatly. Pro Bowl guard Steve Hutchinson has also been mentioned as a target despite his hefty price tag, and while it may not be Hutchinson, Reid will likely target another veteran guard or tackle in free agency.

Sadly, the defense is in even worse shape than the offense. The defensive line needs serious upgrades after an awful 2005. Rookies Mike Patterson (tackle) and Trent Cole (end) played big roles last season and should be better in 2006, and McDougle's recovery should help. Still, the Eagles need help across the line (namely a pass rusher) and will likely use an early-round pick on either an end or tackle.

The "Help Wanted" sign is also out at linebacker. Middle linebacker Jeremiah Trotter is set, but weakside linebacker Keith Adams is a free agent and strongside linebacker Dhani Jones has been a disappointment. Rookie Matt McCoy could step into a starting role in his second year, but the overhaul certainly won't end there. Former Chief (and Eagle) Shawn Barber is a likely target, but the Eagles could also make a big splash and sign a talent like Julian Peterson, LaVar Arrington, or Will Witherspoon.

The Eagles were also disappointed with their secondary play last season, but they can help out that unit simply by getting a better pass rush. Brian Dawkins, Michael Lewis, Lito Sheppard, Sheldon Brown, and Rod Hood (RFA) give the team plenty to work with, and the additions here will likely be minor.

Salary Cap Situation
As of March 2, the Eagles are approximately $16.7 million under the projected $94.5 million salary cap for 2006, according to ESPN.com.

Unrestricted Free Agents
RB Lamar Gordon, WR Darnerian McCants, TE Chad Lewis, OT Jon Runyan, DE Juqua Thomas, DE N.D. Kalu, LB Keith Adams, LB Justin Ena, S Jack Brewer, P Sean Landeta

Restricted Free Agents
RB Reno Mahe, CB Rod Hood, S Quintin Mikell, P Dirk Johnson

Free Agent Signings
None.

The Draft
History suggests we'd have an easier time curing bird flu than uncovering Reid's draft plans, but we're going to try anyway. The Eagles own the 14th overall pick, but they're a good candidate to move. Reid recently acknowledged that, while free agency is nice, teams are truly built via the draft. Thus, we'd expect the Eagles to have an another active April weekend.

Most mocks point to Ohio State receiver Santonio Holmes as the likely target, with Florida pass-catcher Chad Jackson as the consolation prize. The team is just as likely to opt for defensive line help in the form of Penn State's Tamba Hali (end), Florida State's Brodrick Bunkley (tackle), Boston College's Mathias Kiwanuka (end), or North Carolina State's Mario Williams (end).

Then again, Reid could justifiably call on an offensive lineman (USC's Winston Justice, Auburn's Marcus McNeill, Miami's Eric Winston) or a linebacker (Iowa's Chad Greenway, Alabama's DeMeco Ryans). In other words, the team has options.

The Eagles have two additional fourth-round picks courtesy of last year's draft-day trades. Their sixth-round selection will go to the Cowboys.

Injury Watch
McNabb underwent surgery on November 28 to repair a sports hernia and a torn right groin. Reid placed an eight-to-10-week timetable on his return, which leads us to believe he'll be able to attend all offseason workouts. Westbrook did not need surgery, but his first-degree Lisfranc sprain in his right foot called for six-to-nine weeks of rest and rehab.

Buckhalter tore his right patella tendon on August 20, 2004 and recovered in time for 2005 training camp. He then experienced soreness on August 5 and needed to undergo a second, similar knee operation on August 22, 2005. The General's status for training camp (and his career) is unclear at this point.

Speaking of August 5, 2005, that's the same day that Pinkston ruptured his right Achilles' tendon. He missed the entire campaign, but reports about his recovery have been positive. Pinkston should be ready for training camp (if not minicamps), but it remains to be seen if he can still be a deep threat.

Tapeh dislocated and fractured his right hip on December 27, 2004, and following rehab, he opened the 2005 campaign on the physically-unable-to-perform list. He never made it off that list, but the third-year fullback should be ready to compete for a spot this season.

Following Thomas' surgery to repair a lumbar disk, Reid predicted that the left tackle would be back in time for minicamps. Of course, that assumes the team doesn't release the well-paid blocker before that time. Fellow offensive lineman Hank Fraley is also expected to be back this summer. He suffered a torn right rotator cuff on November 6.

Sheppard suffered a severe high right ankle sprain on November 20, and the ailment required surgery. He'll be ready well in advance of training camp.

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