If I Was Andy Reid: A Look at the 2009 Philadelpia Eagles

For the Philadelphia Eagles, and 29 other NFL franchises, the 2008 season is over.

For the Philly-faithful, the Super Bowl will be nothing more than a reminder of the historical dominance of our cross-state rivals and a possible fairytale ending to the Cinderella story our Eagles allowed to take place.

It hurts to know it should be our glass slipper.

But as is life, we move on. We look ahead.

2009 will be a new year full of promise and hope, and it's already started.

The Senior Bowl, the Combine, Free Agency, the Draft, all things that will set the stage for the 2009 Eagles.

But who will be wearing the midnight green come September?

Coach Reid has a laundry list of things to take care of this offseason with the help of Joe Banner and Tom Heckert, and I thought I would throw my hat into the ring.

If I was Andy Reid...

Quarterback

The quarterback position is an easy call.

McNabb is the starter.

But, there needs to be a switch on the depth chart.

Kevin Kolb was handed the backup spot because of his youth and the Eagles wanted to see what they had in him. He has answered that by throwing ZERO touchdowns and four interceptions in the time he's seen. It's time to give A.J. Feeley his backup spot.

Also, by demoting Kevin Kolb, that takes a lot of pressure off of McNabb. He is getting a vote of confidence from the staff by putting a veteran behind him who is obviously only there in case the worst may happen. Plus, let's not forget that Feeley deserves it. He's won in place of McNabb and does not belong third on the depth chart.

Running Back

There needs to be a bit of a shake-up at running back.

I love Brian Westbrook and even at age 30 I believe he can still be a dynamic weapon in this offense, but it's time for a big bruiser.

Correll Buckhalter is a fantastic compliment to Westbrook and really should be resigned, but only if he is going to be used more. Since that has not happened, I'm assuming Buck will not be resigned and will be allowed to become a starter with another team.

Brandon Jacobs would be the best possible fit for this position.

He is a big bruiser and is used to splitting carries. He turned Derrick Ward from mediocre to very good by simply wearing down the defense and allowing him to the outrun and out juke tired defenders.

Imagine if the guy doing that was instead Brian Westbrook.

These guys would be a perfect 1-2 punch and would end the Eagles running problems overnight. This needs to happen. Jacobs adds a new dimension to this offense and would be a huge contributor as a "co-starter" if you will, with Westbrook. Not to mention that we would be taking him away from New York.

If Jacobs stays in New York or signs elsewhere, it's time to look towards the draft and at "Beanie" Wells. Not only can he be a big back for short yardage and goal line situations, but he has the skill-set to take over when Westbrook's time in this league is over.

Lorenzo Booker is a talented young player and is worth keeping as a project.

Fullback

Dan Klecko played admirably this season, but he's not a fullback. The Eagles need a big guy who can stick onto a linebacker and allow for the big runs that the Eagles were missing this year.

Ideally, I would love to see the Eagles bring in Lorenzo Neal, who becomes expendable in Baltimore with Ray Rice returning and Le'ron McClain evolving into such a good player.

Neal understands what it means to play fullback and would bolster the Eagles running game to unseen heights.

Tight End

L.J. Smith did not impress this year while under the franchise tag, it's time to let him move on. Unless he will come back for a cheap price, he's not worth the money.

Brent Celek has shown that he can be a starter in this league and can be a big target for McNabb. His showing in the NFC Championship game was very impressive and should earn him the starting role for the 2009 season.

Matt Schobel has not shown the hands to be a viable option for passing game and is not a good enough blocker to make an impact in the running game, he's nothing more than a role player and it's time to part ways with Schobel.

The popular idea is that the Eagles will draft a tight end in the first round, probably Brandon Pettigrew out of Oklahoma State. I don't know much about the kid but I hear good things. I like what I've seen from on film so I believe he could be a good pick here.

A decent third string tight end should not be difficult to find as an upgrade over Schobel.

Wide Receiver

I'm not as down on the Eagles' receivers as most. But they still need a No. 1 threat. While I believe that the receivers we have now can get the job done, I believe everyone benefits from having a guy that defensive coordinators feel that they need to game plan for and even double cover.

A guy like Anquan Boldin or Chad Johnson would be great here. Given the explosiveness of Curtis and Jackson, I would say Boldin is the best fit being that he is more of a possession receiver than CJ is.

It's time to cut Greg Lewis. He was a steal as an undrafted guy but we've gotten everything out of him that we can. He's had some good plays for us and has helped as a role guy, but it's time to free up the roster space for a playmaker.

Ideally, I would like to see the receivers situation shape up like this:

1. Anquan Boldin/Chad Johnson

2. DeSean Jackson

3. Kevin Curtis

4. Jason Avant

5. Hank Baskett

Boldin/Johnson would require double coverage, allowing Jackson to get numerous mano y mano matchups on the outside, which he should win.

Curtis coming out of the slot is nearly impossible to cover and would be a nightmare for any nickel corner in the league.

Avant/Baskett would rotate with those three as they can play anywhere. These guys can be outside threats and have the size to play from the slot as an almost tight end-like set.

Offensive Line

First things first, keep Tra Thomas and Jon Runyan.

These guys have had unprecedented success as a tackle tandem in the NFL and are a major reason for McNabb's success over the past 10 years. They are both still very productive and must be resigned.

Starters

LT Tra Thomas, LG Todd Herremans, C Jamaal Jackson, RG Shawn Andrews, RT Jon Runyan

Backups

LT King Dunlap, LG Mike McGlynn, C Nick Cole, RG Max Jean-Gilles, RT Winston Justice

Our backups would make a decent starting line on most other teams around the NFL. I'd say we're set, no need to spend picks on this position for another year or two.

Defensive Line

The defensive line is another group that should be fine for the 2009 season.

Starters

RE Trent Cole, DT Brodrick Bunkley, DT Mike Patterson, LE Juqua Parker

Backups

RE Darren Howard, DT Trevor Laws, DT Dan Klecko, LE Chris Clemons

Victor Abiamiri and Bryan Smith will also see some time in the rotation next year and should again be a difficult group to stop. Trent Cole is a Pro Bowl guy along with Bunkley and Patterson. Parker could be upgraded on but has played so well that anyone brought in to replace him would need to be a big name.

Linebackers

This young group got a little bit younger with the benching of Omar Gaither and the promotion of Akeem Jordan. However, they played well and only looked vulnerable once all season. Unfortunately, that was in the NFC Championship game against the Arizona Cardinals.

That's a risk you take when you have a core of young guys starting, the experience isn't there and sometimes they get too caught up.

I think this is another position that is set. There are no glaring needs here but no one could argue if the Eagles draft another young guy for grooming.

Starters

WILL Omar Gaither, MIKE Stewart Bradley, SAM Chris Gocong

Backups

WILL/SAM Akeem Jordan, MIKE Joe Mays

Drafting a real SAM 'backer as a backup to Gocong would not be a bad idea, although I feel just fine allowing Jordan to play either side.

Tracy White played well on special teams but will probably be moving on.

Cornerback

Asante Samuel turned out to be a huge success for the Eagles in 2008 as he finished with six interceptions, two returned for touchdowns. Two of his interceptions and one of his touchdowns came in the playoffs.

Sheldon Brown played well again and is a guy who can always be counted on. NUGGET Brown has never missed a game in his career.

Joselio Hanson is a young guy who is coming on very strong and was very good playing his role for the Birds last year. He had his first interception in his four-year career against the Arizona Cardinals on Thanksgiving Night and looks to have a promising future in Philadelphia. Resign him.

Lito Sheppard is an odd, but interesting case. He's obviously very talented, but he did not see much time this year. What happened? Nobody is really saying but I find it hard to believe that he was simply outplayed by Hanson. Was this a humbling experience set in place by Reid and Jim Johnson? Perhaps. If it worked, he can be a vital piece to our defensive backfield, if not we can package him in a trade for Boldin or Johnson.

Jack Ikegwuonu is another interesting guy.

The Eagles drafted him in the fourth round, knowing full well that he would spend 2008 on Injured Reserve, so why draft him? Because he was a first-round talent who slipped because of his injury. Many cited him as the steal of the draft.

An injured guy is the steal of the draft? He must be good.

If Ikegwuonu can play up to his first-round potential, the Eagles look to have a very crowded defensive backfield, and one that can make passing hell for an offense.

Safety

RESIGN BRIAN "WEAPON X" DAWKINS.

This is a must and has to be highlighted, circled, and at the top of Reid's to-do list.

Not only is Dawkins playing at an extremely high level, but he is still the heart and soul of this defense. Without Dawk, this defense could become lifeless. He is vital to their success and should be allowed to stay in Philly until he chooses to leave.

Other than Dawkins, Quintin Mikell has shown he should also stay here until he retires sometime in the next 10-15 years. As an undrafted guy who worked his way up from special teams, I'd say he's a special player who needs to stay forever.

Backups Quintin Demps and Sean Considine played extremely well when called upon. Demps played some cornerback when Samuel was nicked up and showed some versatility.

Considine is a free agent who should be resigned because he not only adds depth, but was a demon on special teams.

Draft Needs

Big Back: This is vital if the Eagles want to make another push.

Wide Receiver:  A pass-first team can never have too many.

Linebacker:  A good place to start grooming a young guy.

Safety: An eventual replacement for Dawk; especially is Considine leaves via Free Agency.

Punter: Rocca is older and didn't have a great year. It's time to evaluate and see what we have here.

As long as the Eagles can make a few upgrades and Reid can show more of a commitment to the run, the 2009 Eagles will be back in the playoffs competing in January.