Philadelphia Eagles' 2008-2009 Roster Breakdown

Take a deep breath. Take it all in.

That's right, folks. The new season is upon us.

And while it's true that the other 31 teams will also be starting a new season, I'm really only concerned with what one team is going to do: the Philadelphia Eagles.

After watching the preseason games and evaluating the talent presently on the Eagles' roster, here is the way I think things should shake out.

Again, this is what I would do if I was in the shoes of Andy Reid and the Eagles' front office.

OFFENSE

Quarterback (3)

QB 1. Donovan McNabb - Top-tier QB, must be the starter.

QB 2. Kevin Kolb - Promising young talent, interesting backup.

QB 3. A.J. Feely - Had his reps, why not let Kolb run with the second team?

Just Missed Out: N/A

Running Back (3)

RB 1. Brian Westbrook - Second-best RB in the league, behind only L.T.

RB 2. Correll Buckhalter - Nice change-of-pace to Westbrook. 1a RB.

RB 3. Lorenzo Booker - Too much like Westbrook, but will create advantages.

Just Missed Out: Ryan Moats. Wasn't able to build on promising '05 campaign.

Fullback (1)

FB 1. Tony Hunt - More versatile than average FB. Too good to let go.

Just Missed Out: Jason Davis, Jed Collins. See ya' on the practice squad.

Tight End (3)

TE 1. L.J. Smith - Top-tier TE. Will improve red-zone offense greatly.

TE 2. Brent Celek - Promising young talent. Future starter for the Eagles.

TE 3. Kris Wilson - Too versatile to let get away, especially with FB woes.

Just Missed Out: Matt Schobel. Loses out to versatile Wilson.

Wide Receiver (6)

WR 1. Kevin Curtis - More than likely useless for this year. Strong return in '09.

WR 2. Reggie Brown - Not expecting too much with a lingering hammy injury.

WR 3. Jason Avant - Another year for Avant means good things for this offense.

WR 4. DeSean Jackson - Promising rookie, please no nicknames for yourself.

WR 5. Hank Baskett - Huge target. Should get significant time with Curtis out.

WR 6. Greg Lewis - Reliable vet. Could have career numbers this year.

Just Missed Out: Michael Gasperson, Shaheer McBride, Bam Childress. McBride could earn a practice-squad spot if he plays well against NYJ.

Offensive Line: (9)

RT 1. Jon Runyan - Future Hall of Fame guy, should be re-signed.

RT 2. Winston Justice - Looks promising at RT should Runyan not be re-signed.

RG 1. Shawn Andrews - Top G in the league, without a doubt.

RG 2. Max Jean-Gilles - A young talent with a lot of promise. A starter elsewhere.

C 1. Jamal Jackson - Has proven to be a top C. Should be for many years to come.

LG 1. Todd Heremanns - Redeems himself after an admitted down season in '07.

LG 2. Mike McGlynn - Rookie who provides good depth, could step in if need be.

LT 1. Tra Thomas - Very reliable LT over the past decade. Last year in Philly?

LT 2. King Dunlap - Another rookie making this line, could possibly start next year.

Just Missed Out: Scott Young, Nick Cole, Mike Gibson, Stefan Rodgers. Good players that lose the numbers game on a talented O-line.

DEFENSE

Defensive Line (10)

RDE 1. Trent Cole - Pro Bowl caliber player. One of the best in the NFL today.

LDE 1. Juqua Parker - Gets the job done and gets it done well. Best in a rotation.

LDE 2. Chris Clemons - Pass-rush specialist. Is in the rotation if healthy.

LDE 3. Victor Abiamiri - Hopes for a speedy recovery to contribute this year.

RDE 2. Jerome McDougle - Played his tail off and shows potential. Earns a spot.

RDE 3. Bryan Smith - A project that will take at least a year or two to develop.

DT 1. Mike Patterson - Should have made the Pro Bowl last year. Makes it in '08.

DT 2. Brodrick Bunkley - Steps it up one more notch and plays like a first rounder.

DT 3. Trevor Laws - Rookie makes an immediate impact in relief duty.

DT 4. Darren Howard - Provides an inside pass rush on more than just third down.

Just Missed Out: Dan Klecko, Montae Reagor, Mike Marquardt. Another case of good players losing a numbers game. Should have jobs elsewhere.

Linebacker (6)

WILL 1. Omar Gaither - Played well at MIKE, but is best suited for WILL.

WILL 2. Akeem Jordan - A physical specimen and up-and-coming star.

MIKE 1. Stewart Bradley - Impressed at the end of last year, can he keep it up?

MIKE 2. Joe Mays - "Headbuster" Joe Mays sticks around and makes an impact.

SAM 1. Chris Gocong - Another year in Jim Johnson's defense means good things.

SAM 2. Rocky Boiman - Good backup and mentor to a young LB corps.

Just Missed Out: Pago Togafau, Andy Studebaker, Justin Roland. All played well but not well enough. Studebaker could land on practice squad. He's a nice project.

Cornerback (4)

L 1. Asante Samuel - Arguably the best CB in the league, as of right now.

L 2. Joselio Hanson - A very good dime CB. At least a nickel anywhere else.

R 1. Lito Sheppard - Should get an extension to be a starter here on the right side.

R 2. Sheldon Brown - Usually a starter but for now the best No. 3 in the NFL.

(R/L 3. Jack Ikegwuonu) - On the Non-Football Injury list. Contributes in '09.

Just Missed Out: Kyle Arrington, Therrian Fontenot, Nick Graham. If it wasn't for the surplus of DE's, Arrington makes the roster. Philly will try to snatch him up for the practice squad.

Safeties (5)

FS 1. Brian Dawkins - Second best safety ever, right behind Ronnie Lott.

FS 2. J.R. Reed - An inspiring story for anyone. A capable backup for both spots.

FS 3. Quentin Demps - Rookie who stays on mainly for KR but should develop.

SS 1. Quintin Mikell - Undrafted free-agent, special-teams ace, starting SS.

SS 2. Sean Considine - Injuries caused him to lose starting spot. Viable backup.

Just Missed Out: Marcus Paschal. Didn't show enough after promising offseason a year ago.

SPECIAL TEAMS

Kicker (1)

    K 1. David Akers - Dropped weight puts him back among elite kickers in the NFL.

Just Missed Out: Richmond McGee. Knew coming in it was only an audition for the other 31 teams.

Punter (1)

P 1. Sav Rocca - The Aussie is one year better and should be a ST weapon.

Just Missed Out: Richmond McGee. Knew coming in it was only an audition for the other 31 teams.

Long Snapper (1)

LS 1. Jon Dorenbos - Don't know who he is? Good, means he's doing his job.

Just Missed Out: N/A

Kick Return (2)

KR 1. Quentin Demps - Has been explosive in the preseason, should carry over.

KR 2. Lorenzo Booker - Has struggled but shouldn't have a problem.

Just Missed Out: N/A

Punt Return (1)

PR 1. DeSean Jackson - Showed a flash against NE. Here's to hopin'.

Just Missed Out: N/A

So, there ya' have it.

If I had the final say, this is how the roster would look for the Eagles this season.

I believe this gives them the best chance to win and the best way to avoid letting talent loose on the waiver wire.

The official 53-man roster should look something like this, with a twist here and there possibly, but for the most part, I think I'm right on track with the Eagles and their front office.

Let me know what you think. What would you change? What do you like? Dislike?

Sound off!