Philadelphia Eagles Must Learn from 2011, Spend Wisely in Free Agency

The Philadelphia Eagles are in a perfect position to learn from their 2011 spending-spree mistakes.

They loaded up last offseason on top free agents like Nnamdi Asomugha, Jason Babin, Vince Young and Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, and quite simply, fell short of lofty expectations. 

Not all is gloomy for Andy Reid's club.

They ended the year on a nice four-game winning streak and it's estimated by EaglesCap.com that they'll enter the 2012 free agency period with $23 million in cap room.

While that doesn't provide them the kind of possibilities they were afforded last year, they will certainly be comfortable during free agency.

However, the Eagles must focus on the futures of a few current players and look to add adequate depth to their roster.

Star-crossed wide receiver DeSean Jackson is the most vital pending free agent and has to be the team's top priority at this juncture.

Yes, he is immature. Yes, he deserved to be the subject of harsh criticism last season after inconsistent play and continual listless efforts on Sundays.  

But he's a big-play talent who fits perfectly into the Eagles' vertical passing game.

Honestly, wouldn't you be upset if you were Jackson?

I mean, he eclipsed the 1,000-yard receiving mark in consecutive seasons and caught a total of 15 touchdowns in 2010 and 2011 and was still being ridiculously underpaid with a base salary of $555,000 in 2011.

This past season was his least productive since his rookie year, but he still caught 58 passes for 961 yards and four touchdowns.  

A franchise tag seems most logical at this point and it would allow Philadelphia to see how he plays when he's paid like one of the top receivers in the league. 

I'm with Jackson on this one. 

Pay the man.  

There aren't any big-name linebackers they'd be tempted to bring in, although the Detroit Lions' Stephen Tulloch will be a hot commodity if he isn't re-signed in the Motor City. 

After learning their lesson last season, I think the Eagles will be content with drafting the best linebacker available in the first round of the 2012 draft.

Alabama's Dont'a Hightower is the thumping middle linebacker Eagles' fans have wanting for years. 

Philadelphia's 2011 "Dream Team" class of free agents has had a year to establish much-needed chemistry, and the Eagles' front office doesn't need to add any major pieces to the 2012 puzzle.

Focusing on Jackson's contract, re-signing the important yet situational role players and acquiring back-up depth would be in the team's best interest.  

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