What the Philadelphia Eagles Must Do in the Offseason to Reach the Promise Land

The Philadelphia Eagles are a young team with a few key veterans who are close to being "over the hill." The Eagles defense is very young with only with only two players who are 30 + years old. On the other side of the ball the Eagles have a young group on the inside of the O-line but on the outside nothing but questions.

The skill positions have talent but do need some reworking. The key for the offseason will be attempting to catch the offense back up to the defense which has played so well all season.

The Eagles boast one of the best defenses in the NFL which only has three free agents (Brian Dawkins, Sean Considine, and Joselio Hanson) this offseason. The Eagles will need to retain Brian Dawkins who had another pro bowl year and continues to somehow keep father time at bay. The other player that they need to keep is Hanson.

Hanson is now one of the better nickel corners in the NFL and the Eagles will need him next year. Sean Considine never really shined as a safety because of his inability to tackle consistently so i expect him to depart in free agency. I expect the Eagles to look relatively the same on the defensive side of the ball except that I do not see Lito wearing Eagle green and his departure should help the offense.

The Eagles are intent on keeping Donovan McNabb which is the best course of action. Kolb has shown nothing to make the coaches think he can handle the load of being the starter just yet. So with the QB position set we go to the HB's. Brian Westbrook needs help because his legs are taking to much of a beating.

The Eagles need to draft a RB who can turn into an every down back who has the combination of size and speed which would be Chris Wells who is 6'1 and 237lbs. The Eagles also need to finally give the RB's a blocker at FB whether it be through the draft or free agency. Which leads to the most talked about position in Philadelphia...the Wide Receivers.

The Eagles have a young talented group at WR with the surprising productive Desean Jackson leading the way. Jackson has developed very well throughout the year and should focus this offseason on making his body stronger and getting more burst off the start. Jackson and Curtis have turned into quite the speedy duo in the NFL but lack the attitude necessary to go across the middle and take the big hit.

The Eagles need to make a splash in free agency and go after TJ. Houshmandzadeh. This is the type player that can turn this offense into the offense of 2004. Jackson has the vertical threat but lacks the body to make plays in the redzone.

TJ. Houshmandzadeh will add another dimension in the redzone and could finally help fix the problem that has plagued the birds in recent years. If the Eagles can acquire this player in free agency then the offense goes from being No. 9 in the NFL to being in the top five.

The O-line is another problem coming at the Eagles this offseason. The Eagles are solid on the inside with Jean-Gillis/Andrews/Cole/Herremans/Jackson, however, the birds must figure out what the future at tackle will be. The Eagles should be able to trade Lito for at least a second round pick which would be able to combine with other picks to trade up if the Eagles see a dominant Linemen in the NFL draft.

I believe the Eagles MUST resign Tra Thomas who has become McNabbs security blanket knowing he'll always have his back. Thomas is still young enough to get the big money so the Eagles should consider Tagging him if necessary.

Lastly Runyan has been a great player for many years now in Philadelphia but he does know that this is a business and may leave which could put the birds in a bind. The Eagles must remember that if they cannot block then it does not matter who McNabb is throwing to.