10 Philadelphia Eagles Who Will Not Be Back in 2012

Philadelphia Eagles fans thought the 2011 NFL season would be their year to finally win the championship that has eluded them since 1960.

Well, another season has come and gone without a title.

Philadelphia, after bringing in several notable free agents, will have to wait until next season. The Eagles disappointed their fans with a dismal 8-8 record.

There is plenty of blame to go around this season.

Several fans wanted head coach Andy Reid gone but after Philadelphia closed out the season winning its final four games, owner Jeffrey Lurie assured that Reid would be back for his 14th season.

So, with Reid back for the 2012 season, the question is: Which current players will not be back when next season starts?

Here are 10 Philadelphia Eagles players who will not be returning for the 2012 NFL season.

10. Ronnie Brown (Running Back)

The Ronnie Brown experiment is over.

Philadelphia brought in Brown, via free agency, with hopes that his power-running style would help out the team's short-yardage problems.

The 30-year old seventh year veteran never got on track and had his worst season ever.

Brown rushed for a career-low 136 yards on 42 carries and one touchdown. He also had one fumble, which was a costly one (at the one-yard line) against the San Francisco 49ers in a 24-23 home loss in Week Four.

With Lesean McCoy (1,309 yards rushing) being the Eagles best runner, Philadelphia needs another back that can take pressure off McCoy, who was battered with injuries down the stretch.

Look for the Eagles to add another running back to go along with McCoy and rookie Dion Lewis.

Ronnie Brown still could be of value to several NFL teams; however, his days as an Eagle are over.

9. Juqua Parker (Defensive End)

Defensive End Juqua Parker's seven year career with the Eagles is probably over.

Seven of Parker's 11 years in the NFL have been with Philadelphia; the other four have been with the Tennessee Titans.

With the free-agent acquisition of Jason Babin, Parker was relegated to a backup role.

Parker's 47-yard fumble return for a touchdown (pictured above) against the New York Jets, started the Eagles scoring outburst against the Jets. Philadelphia defeated New York 45-19.

His sack totals decreased from six to one and a half this season.

Age is the biggest reason Parker will not be back in 2012. Parker will be 34 years old when next season starts.

With Babin, Trent Cole and the return of 2010 first-round draft pick Brandon Graham--who was injured-- Parker has probably played his last game for Philadelphia.

8. Steve Smith (Wide Receiver)

Another free-agent pickup that failed miserably was wide receiver Steve Smith.

Smith signed a one-year, $2 million dollar deal prior to preseason.

The Eagles were hoping that the former New York Giant would be a security blanket for quarterback Michael Vick.

Injuries kept Smith from producing this season. Smith played in only nine games.

Smith, who had a career year with the Giants in 2009 (107 catches for 1,220 yards receiving), only had 11 receptions for 124 yards and one touchdown catch. The touchdown was a 14-yarder against his former team (pictured above).

The Eagles have a strong contingent of wide receivers in Desean Jackson, Jeremy Maclin, and Jason Avant.

Rumors of Philadelphia cutting ties with Jackson are probably false, which means Smith is probably out.

7. Jamaal Jackson (Center)

Center Jamaal Jackson missed the entire 2011 NFL season because of injuries.

Jackson, who signed with the Eagles as an undrafted free-agent in 2003, had started 72 games for Philadelphia.

With rookie Jason Kelce returning for another season, the 31-year old Jackson is probably on the outside looking inward.

Kelce started 12 games for the Eagles this season.

Because of Jackson's battle with injuries and his age, the Eagles will need to go younger at the position.

6. Joselio Hanson (Cornerback)

Philadelphia signed cornerbacks Nnamdi Asomugha and Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie during the Eagles' free-agent blitz.

With perennial Pro Bowler Asante Samuel and Joselio Hanson already on the roster, one or two of them will probably not be back in 2012.

Hanson has been with the Eagles since 2006 and has provided several big plays. However, Hanson struggled this past off-season.

He played in all 16 games this season, mainly as a backup nickel back.

Hanson did not record an interception but he had one fumble recovery.

The Eagles will more than likely keep Asomugha and Rodgers-Cromartie. Samuel will probably be traded on draft day, and, the Eagles like the play of rookie Curtis Marsh.

Hanson's inconsistency and his age (32 when next season starts) mean he will not be back.

5. Keenan Clayton or Akeem Jordan (Outside Linebackers)

It is no secret the Philadelphia Eagles' linebackers were the biggest reason their defense struggled.

Philadelphia allowed seven opposing running backs to run for over 100 yards rushing in 2011.

Although the Eagles had their problems against the run early in the season, Philadelphia would improve down the stretch.

However, the Eagles still finished 16th against the run.

One of the two outside linebackers, Akeem Jordan (pictured) and Keenan Clayton, had their problems against the run.

Both are undersized; Jordan (230) and Clayton (229).

Rookie Casey Matthews who started the year at middle linebacker, was benched after struggling but would be moved to the outside spot, with Jamar Chaney manning the middle.

The Eagles will probably draft a linebacker or bring in a seasoned veteran, which means either Clayton or Jordan, or both, will not be back.

4. Asante Samuel (Cornerback)

No player on the Philadelphia Eagles' current roster brings more trade value than cornerback Asante Samuel.

The 2011 season was the first time since 2005 that Samuel did not record at least four interceptions.

Samuel had three interceptions (one of them returned for a touchdown).

Because of a hamstring injury Samuel missed the Eagles' final two regular season games.

A perennial Pro Bowler, Samuel was not happy all season.

After the Eagles signed Nnamdi Asomugha and Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, Samuel became unhappy. However, unlike the Desean Jackson case, Samuel kept his frustration inwards.

Asomugha's contract ($60 million) makes him untouchable. Rodgers-Cromartie, who was injured throughout the season, will probably be back also.

In Samuel's case, the Eagles could part ways with him and receive compensation.

It would not be a surprise if Philadelphia makes a move with Samuel before or on draft day.

3. Howard Mudd (Offensive Line Coach)

Not only will players be moved, but staff personnel also.

Offensive line coach Howard Mudd, who has been around the NFL since 1974, will more than likely not return to his duties.

The 69-year old Mudd joined the Eagles' coaching staff after former position coach Juan Castillo was named defensive coordinator.

Under Mudd's tutleage, the Eagles offensive line sack totals declined from last season (49 to 32). Also, Philadelphia had the league's fifth-best rushing offense (142.3 yards a game).

Mudd, who has health issues, said recently that he would welcome a return. But with the anticipation of Castillo being relieved of his position as defensive coordinator, it would not be a surprise if Castillo was moved back to his former position.

2. Vince Young (Quarterback)

Another project that failed was quarterback Vince Young.

Young was brought in to be Michael Vick's backup but the two-time Pro Bowler struggled considerably.

His statistics were horrible: 866 yards passing, 57.9 percent completion rating, four touchdowns, nine interceptions, and two lost fumbles.

With Vick being injured because of broken ribs, Young started three games.

In his first start Young would lead the Eagles past the New York Giants in a nationally-televised matchup; throwing for 258 yards and two touchdowns as Philadelphia beat its division foe 17-10.

The next two games were a disaster for Young.

Young threw for a career-high 400 yards in a 38-20 loss to the New England Patriots. Along with the 400 yards passing, he threw one touchdown and had one interception, while completing only 54.2 percent of his passes. The following week against the Seattle Seahawks, Young passed for 208 yards and four interceptions in a 31-14 loss.

Philadelphia's so-called "Dream Team" was penned by Young, who compared the Eagles' collection of off-season free agents to the 1992 U.S.Men's Olympic Basketball team.

Young's inadvertent bleep did not sit well with many Eagles fans.

The Eagles will cut ties with Young and bring in a veteran to backup Vick.

1. Juan Castillo (Defensive Coordinator)

With the recent firing of St. Louis Rams' head coach Steve Spagnulo (a former Eagle staffer), Juan Castillo's days as defensive coordinator are numbered.

Castillo was moved from offensive line coach to defensive coordinator last off-season by head coach Andy Reid. The move was questioned by many in the Eagles organization, along with fans.

Philadelphia, a team that has always prided itself with having a top defense, struggled on defense most of the season.

The Eagles' inability to hold a lead in the fourth quarter (five blown in the fourth quarter), along with their inability to stop the run (seven 100-yard rushers), and blown pass coverages, were the reason behind their 3-6 start. They did however finished tied for first in sacks (50) with Minnesota.

During the final four games (all wins) the defense played better but still struggled at times.

Overall, the Eagles finished eighth in total defense: 16th against the run and 10th against the pass.

Philadelphia is rumored to bring in Spagnulo to head the defense. Spagnulo served on the Eagles' coaching staff from 1999-2006.

Spagnulo was a former defensive coordinator with the New York Giants for two seasons ('07 and '08) before taking over the Rams head job.

If Spagnulo is hired, look for Castillo to move back to his former position on the offensive line.