Philadelphia Eagles: 7 Ways a Lockout Is Hurting the Eagles This Offseason

There is no team in the NFL that is faced with more negative consequences from the current lockout than the Philadelphia Eagles.

Just months ago, this team was merely five points away from defeating the future Super Bowl champion Green Bay Packers in the Wild Card round of the playoffs.

Now the players that were on the field that day weren't even able to wish Andy Reid a happy birthday on March 19th.

There is no free agency, teams can't trade and there is no communication between players and the organizations.

For most teams, this is a hardship. For the Eagles, it could be devastating.

Here are seven ways the NFL lockout is damaging the team's chances in the 2011 season.

7. Young Offense Can't Gel

Chris Trotman/Getty Images

PHILADELPHIA, PA - JANUARY 09: Jason Avant #81 and Jeremy Maclin #18 of the Philadelphia Eagles celebrates Avant's third quarter touchdown against the Green Bay Packers during the 2011 NFC wild card playoff game at Lincoln Financial Field on January 9, 2

The Eagles have arguably the most talented offense in the entire league.

DeSean Jackson, Jeremy Maclin, LeSean McCoy and Brent Celek are the stars of the group. The average age of these four is 23-and-a-half years old.

The youth continues beyond just these four. Riley Cooper, Jason Avant, Winston Justice, Max-Jean Gilles and Mike McGlynn are all youthful talents as well.

Despite the lack of experience, the Eagles still had the third-best scoring offense last season.

Imagine how potentially dangerous this offense could become with more time on the field with one another.

If this lockout continues deep into the offseason, that's valuable time that these young players will be missing out on.

6. Activity in Free Agency

Ezra Shaw/Getty Images

SAN FRANCISCO - OCTOBER 17: Nnamdi Asomugha #21 of the Oakland Raiders breaks up a pass intended for Michael Crabtree #15 of the San Francisco 49ers at Candlestick Park on October 17, 2010 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

Philadelphia has always been a team willing to go after big-name talent in the free-agent market.

In 2004, the Eagles brought in defensive end Jevon Kearse and wide receiver Terrell Owens from free agency.

This season, the team's most glaring needs are at the cornerback and offensive tackle positions.

The biggest name in the free-agent market right now is cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha.

The Eagles could be a top competitor to land Asomugha if it weren't for the lockout.

However, if teams are still unable to sign players before the NFL Draft, chances are the Eagles will spend one of their earlier picks on a cornerback.

Although this doesn't eliminate all chances that the team would still pursue him once the lockout ends, it would likely cut down on the possibility.

5. Whole Different Defense

Jim McIsaac/Getty Images

PHILADELPHIA, PA - DECEMBER 02: Arian Foster #23 of the Houston Texans scores on a 14-yard touchdown reception in the third quarter against Nate Allen #29 of the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field on December 2, 2010 in Philadelphia, Pennsylv

The defense that takes the field in 2011 will be far different from the one we all saw in 2010.

There will likely be changes as left cornerback, Sam linebacker, middle linebacker, strong safety, right defensive tackle, right defensive end and free safety.

Obviously, the right defensive end and free-safety slots are in question due to injuries to Brandon Graham and Nate Allen. When they are ready, both should return to the starter roles at their positions.

That means that we could see seven different starters in Week 1 action.

Football is a team sport and chemistry is often taken for granted.

If there are this many new starters in 2011, the defense is going to struggle until the players get used to one another.

4. Many Coaching Changes

Tom Pidgeon/Getty Images

DETROIT - NOVEMBER 25: Offensive line coach Howard Mudd of the Indianapolis Colts looks on while facing the Detroit Lions at Ford Field on November 25, 2004 in Detroit, Michigan. The Colts defeated the Lions 41-9. (Photo by Tom Pidgeon/Getty Images)

I don't know one Philadelphia fan who wasn't excited when they heard the news that defensive coordinator Sean McDermott had been fired.

The team's defense was a joke in the red zone last season, and a lot of the blame fell onto the coaching staff.

The Eagles have over 10 coaches who will be in new positions next season on the offensive and defensive sides of the ball.

The most notable are defensive line coach Jim Washburn, offensive line coach Howard Mudd and defensive coordinator Juan Castillo.

These coaches will all have different philosophies than those who preceded them. It's important for the coaching staff and the players to be on the same page.

If there is no training camp, that's a difficult task to accomplish.

3. Juan Castillo Can't Implement Defensive Philosophy

Whatever defensive coordinator Juan Castillo's new defensive philosophy is, he will need to actually see the players to teach it to them.

At this point, all we know is that the philosophy will be simple. The players will play fast and physical.

If that's all there is to it, then maybe this won't be much of a setback.

The real problem could be the fact that Castillo hasn't coached a defense since he was at a Texas high school in 1989.

Whether or not Castillo will be effective remains to be seen, but he is surely missing out on much-needed practice.

2. Michael Vick's Evolution in the Offense

Jim McIsaac/Getty Images

PHILADELPHIA, PA - DECEMBER 28: Michael Vick #7 of the Philadelphia Eagles in action against the Minnesota Vikings at Lincoln Financial Field on December 26, 2010 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)

It's easy to forget that Michael Vick was not the starting quarterback in Philadelphia at the start of last season.

Through all of training camp, Vick worked with the second-team offense.

All of his chemistry with the players around him was built as the season progressed.

How do you think Vick could perform with a full offseason working with the first-team offense?

The current lockout is in the way of that happening.

Vick has claimed that he plans to lead offseason workouts with his teammates.

Although this is great news, it's still not the same as being with the coaching staff and getting work done.

1. Can't Trade Kevin Kolb

Jim McIsaac/Getty Images

PHILADELPHIA, PA - JANUARY 02: Kevin Kolb #4 of the Philadelphia Eagles throws a pass against the Dallas Cowboys on January 2, 2011 at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)

It would be rather disappointing if the Eagles end up receiving zero compensation for Kevin Kolb.

Recent rumors have claimed that the organization has already been contacted by teams that have been willing to offer first-round picks for Kolb.

This would be great news if the Eagles were actually allowed to trade him.

If the lockout is still in place up to the NFL Draft, chances are Kolb's stock will take a big hit.

Teams that may be actively pursuing Kolb may draft a franchise quarterback instead. As the demand for Kolb drops, so does the price tag the organization can place on him.

What is a first-round pick in this year's draft could turn into a second-round pick in next year's draft.

The team will likely be able to deal Kolb no matter when the lockout ends. The problem is that the best time to sell is right now.