A Defense of the Philadelphia Eagles' Personnel Moves

The Philadelphia Eagles front office has caught a lot of heat this offseason, but is it all deserved?

Joe Banner, Andy Reid, Tom Heckert, and Howie Roseman have taken the heat before, but have always come out cooler than ever.

Will that be the case this year in an extremely emotional offseason?

Emotions aside, let's take a look at the departures from the Eagles' 2008 roster.

RT Jon Runyan, 35 years old, Starter

The Good:

I hold the highest respect and admiration for Jon Runyan. I believe Runyan may have been more important to the Eagles' success this decade than even Donovan McNabb.

Runyan set the example for all other linemen to play alongside him for the rest of his years here in Philly. He brought a certain attitude to the Eagles that they had been lacking.

He was mean, tough, and reliable. He was intelligent and always a catalyst along the line.

While Tra Thomas (who we'll get to later) was the first piece to turning around what was a revolving door for Philadelphia's offensive line, Runyan brought the attitude that Reid wanted.

The Bad:

Age. At 35, Runyan may have slowed down just a bit. While that may not be a big deal elsewhere, linemen have to be quick on their feet in the NFC East.

The pass rushers in Washington, Dallas, and especially New York are simply too fast and too talented for a lineman not to be at his best at all times.

The injuries to Runyan's knee and back are also cause for concern. A 35-year-old man of his size will have a tough time coming back from knee surgery at 100 percent.

Do I believe Runyan is done in this league? No. I still think he could play a couple more years. However, I do think the last remaining link to the Houston Oilers' best days are behind him.

LT Tra Thomas, 34 years old, Starter

The Good:

Thomas has always been extremely reliable during his career in Philadelphia. He has only missed eight games since coming into the league as a first round pick in 1998.

Thomas has always given McNabb piece of mind and was huge to his early success. It helps a young quarterback knowing that he'll never have to worry about his blind side with such a great player looking out for him.

Thomas is a three-time Pro Bowl player who has done more for this team than most. He's arguably the best left tackle the Eagles have ever seen and will always be remembered as a Philadelphia Eagle.

The Bad:

Like Runyan, Thomas seems to have lost a step or two.

Concerns with blood clots in his legs have prevented him from working on his footwork like he should have been, and that area has suffered.

For those who do not know, there are typically two types of linemen and, more specifically, left tackles.

1.  Those with good, quick feet who can get in front of the end OR

2.  Hip-benders. Typically, they don't have great feet but are long enough to get in front of an end by simply bending to his direction.

Thomas started his time in the league with quick feet and a fantastic ability to get in front of even the fastest ends.

Unfortunately, due to leg problems mentioned before, he has become more of a hip-bender and has therefore suffered against faster ends.

As he gets older, he will become slower; the ends he faces are only becoming faster.

FS Brian Dawkins, 36 years old, Starter

The Good:

There are no words to describe what this Clemson grad has meant to the city of Philadelphia and to the Eagles.

Not only will he be missed on the field because of his leadership, intensity, and the fear factor he caused opposing offenses, but also because of his work in the community.

He was the runner-up to this year's Walter Payton Man of the Year (Kurt Warner, QB, Arizona Cardinals) for his work in the city of Philadelphia.

Dawkins is a great football player on the field and will be missed from a talent standpoint.

However, his greatness on the field pales to the greatness he shows as a human being and as a mainstay in the Philadelphia community.

The Bad:

While we all loved Dawkins, the reality was that he was becoming a liability in the passing game.

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