10 things the Eagles must attempt to do this offseason...

1.  Franchise tag or extend Vick with a contract-  According to ESPN reporter Adam Shefter, as of Jan. 30th, the Eagles are planning to franchise their star quarterback, Michael Vick.  This is ranked number one on the "to do" list for a reason.  Vick helped turn around a rebuilding team into a contending team.  With Vick in the lineup, they will always be discussed as a dangerous team.  Truthfully, after this MVP caliber season, he looks like a changed man and deserves a fresh-new contract.  Vick is a humble, respectful man now.  His attitude seems to be cleaned up, wanting to take on a leadership role in Philadelphia.  In his previous seasons with the Falcons, Vick would be the last one to practice and the first one to leave.  That, has all changed now;  he is the first one to practice and the last one to leave.  This says a lot about his character and his willingness to change.

2.  Sign Nnamdi Asomugha-  Not many stats are present in this man's resume, yet he is ranked, by many in the NFL, as the best cornerback in the league.  A reason why, you might ask?  The ball is never thrown in his direction.  Quarterbacks are afraid to throw it at Nnamdi Asomugha, plain and simple.  Imagine having Asomugha on one side and Asante Samuel on the other.  Quarterbacks will have fits on deciding which side to throw it at, causing opponents to run the ball more often.  This will benefit any team's defense.  Signing Asomugha would be a huge interception for the Eagles.

3.  Trade Kevin Kolb-  Although Kolb had impressive games this season, he couldn't outshine the "Madden" play-making abilites of Vick.  Kolb is definitely a starter in this league.  He wants to start, so keeping him on the team will just cause more quarterback drama.  He is no T.O., however, you can tell he is not a happy camper being the back up.  Trade Kolb and work out a package to move up in the draft.

 Move up in the draft-  The Eagles have to work out a package involving Kevin Kolb in order to move up in the draft.  Trading their 24th overall pick and Kevin Kolb, could easily land them in the top 10 picks.  Once they're there, they need to select the best talent available.  Talents such as Nick Fairley (Auburn/DT), Da'Quan Bowers  (Clemson/DE), or Akeem Ayers (UCLA/LB).  

5.  Sign Roman Harper-  The safety position for the Eagles right now is not too safe.  Quintin Mikell's days as an Eagle are numbered.  Harper is a hard hitting safety who can also help with the run support.  They need an intimidating safety who will challenge any receiver to run through the middle, a Dawkins esque, perhaps.  Harper and his fellow Saints teammate, Malcom Jenkins, were snagged from a Pro Bowl type year.  Look for the Eagles to make a         run at Harper.

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6.  Draft or pick up a big running back-  With the loss of Leonard Weaver during the 2010 season, the Eagles did not have the luxury of a pounder.  A pounder is a big running back who will get you those 3rd and 1's or goal line touchdowns.  Weaver is facing potentially a career ending knee injury similar to J.R. Reid's injury, maybe even worse.  However, Weaver plans to be back in 2011.  Their depth at running back is very limited.  Jerome Harrison is also a free agent; he showed glimpses of versatility when traded from the Cleveland Browns in the middle of the season, yet McCoy took most of the snaps.           

7.  In need of more depth at linebacker-  Stewart Bradley, Ernie Sims, and Omar Gaither are all free agents this offseason.  Their core depth at linebacker is slimming down rapidly like a contestant on the Biggest Loser.  Most likely, the Eagles will not re-sign any of them; the only possibility would be Bradley.  Hopefully, they will draft a stud linebacker in the beginning or middle rounds of the draft to regain some depth in that position.  Free agency is also an option with available players such as Chad Greenway (Vikings), Tamba Hali (Chiefs), or LaMarr Woodley (Steelers).



8.  Sign Akers-  Even though Eagles kicker, David Akers, struggled in the NFC Wild Card game with two important missed field goals, he is still extremely dependable.  I am not trying to make an excuse for him, but the week leading up to that game, Akers received news his 6-year-old daughter had a cancerous cyst in her left ovary.  This had to play a role in his performance against the Packers.  Akers was selected to the Pro Bowl and is still a reliable threat.  He has become a veteran leader in the lockeroom. Most kickers cannot gain respect like this.





9.  Extend Desean Jackson's contract and pick up a bigger receiver-  After his remarkable display at the New Meadowlands as well as his multi 100 yard receiving games, Jackson deserves an extension to his contract.  You could debate how he is injury prone and sometimes stirs up drama with his mouth, but it is just hard to ignore the combo of Vick and Jackson.  Make this man happy.  Also, I do not think they have a big, physical receiver who is a red-zone threat.  Riley Cooper still needs some work to become that threat.  There will be available receivers in the draft as well free agency.  Possibly Randy Moss?  How nice would that sound having him as their number one and Desean as the number two; Maclin and Avant would become the slot receivers.  Sounds pretty unstoppable to me.

10.  Look for a veteran back up QB-  If indeed the Eagles trade Kevin Kolb, there will be an empty spot at the number two quarterback spot.  Mike Kafka is their 3rd quarterback, but has no experience under his belt.   They will need a veteran QB who knows the west-coast offense.  Marc Bulger is a free agent, coming from the Baltimore Ravens.  Even though Baltimore is not a west-coast offense, Bulger has played for the Rams.  As we all know, the Rams are known for their west-coast type offense, going back to the "best show on turf" days.  After all the turmoil in Philadelphia and how he left the organization via trade, I dare not say this, but Donovan McNabb could be an option.  He will probably be released by the Washington Redskins sometime this offseason.  If this were to happen, how ironic would it be?