Philadelphia Eagles Free Agency: Eagles Extend Trent Cole, Make Priorities Clear

After last season's truncated offseason was full of big-name signings and media hype, the Philadelphia Eagles appear to be taking a very different route in 2012.

While division foes like the Washington Redskins are busy mortgaging their future and signing second and third-tier receivers to lucrative deals, the Eagles have figured out a winning formula.

In the last 24 hours, the Eagles have signed versatile left guard-turned-right tackle Todd Herremans to a three-year contract extension, and breaking recently is news that the Birds will be inking Pro Bowl defensive end Trent Cole to a contract extension as well.

The Eagles made serious headlines last offseason when they traded for cornerback Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie and followed that up by making the offseason's biggest splash, inking All-Pro cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha to a long-term deal.

In a convoluted offseason, the Eagles were pressing to fill as many needs as possible. They signed two big-name corners in Cromartie and Asomugha, and they followed that up with signings of Jason Babin and Cullen Jenkins, two quality defensive linemen who have helped create one of the league's most potent pass-rushes.

However, the Eagles seem to have learned from their mistakes. Bringing in an entirely new defense in such a short amount of time created confusion as players struggled to learn a new system and fill new roles.

With a full offseason, it's looking more and more likely that the Eagles will continue to be patient, simply filling troubled spots with experienced veterans while extending the contracts of their most important contributors.

And next up should be a big contract extension for running back LeSean McCoy.