Philadelphia Eagles: Five Areas Roster Needs Upgraded For 2011 Super Bowl Run

With the 2010 NFL season in the books and Spring training games on the horizon for Major League Baseball, it is soon time for the Eagles brass to start executing their strategies for the off season.

With the pending lockout and unknown state of the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA), it is difficult to make any realistic predictions about free agency or trades. However, that does not preclude us from taking a look at real or perceived weak links on the 2010 Eagles roster, and making some educated suggestions for how to improve the position via free agency.

Following are five areas that, if they are improved and all else remains equal, the Philadelphia Eagles should be primed for a serious run at the Super Bowl in Indianapolis.

Offensive Backfield Depth

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KANSAS CITY, MO - JANUARY 09: Running back Willis McGahee #23 of the Baltimore Ravens celebrates after scoring a touchdown in the fourth quarter of the 2011 AFC wild card playoff game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium on January 9, 2011

Contrary to popular belief that the Eagles don't run, the Birds were one of the top-ranked rushing teams in the league in 2010.  LeSean "Shady" McCoy was a major part of that as well as Michael Vick's improvisation skills.  After McCoy, the Eagles entered the season hoping to utilize Leanord Weaver in a situational role as well as out of the backfield.  Additionally the Eagles had brought in Mike Bell, and he was traded to the Browns midway through the season for Jerome Harrison.  Weaver went down with an injury in the opener, and suddenly the Eagles - who entered the season with supposed backfield depth - were thin behind LeSean McCoy. 

This placed a heavy burden both on McCoy as well as additional burden on Michael Vick.  There was not that dual threat situation in the backfield with Weaver gone (Owen Schmitt was serviceable at times, but he is no Weaver).

There are some concerns around whether Weaver will be ready for camp, and he is coming off a season-ending injury to boot.  Harrison didn't get many carries and was prone to fumble when he did.

That's why upgrading the backfield behind McCoy and Weaver is one of the areas that will help the Eagles. So what's out there? 

From what I have heard, the draft is thing at running back this year, but the Eagles could get an Evan Royster in the middle of the draft.  There are plenty of free agents -- Willis McGahee is one -- that would be willing to take a deal to split some carries with McCoy as well.

Defensive Line Interior Run Stopper

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GLENDALE, AZ - JANUARY 10: Nick Fairley #90 of the Auburn Tigers reacts during their Tostitos BCS National Championship Game against the Oregon Ducks at University of Phoenix Stadium on January 10, 2011 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Ge

The well-documented weakness of the Philadelphia Eagles was their inability to stop teams in the red zone.  In particular, there were occasions when teams got down inside their ten yard line and just pounded the Eagles into the ground, or utilized play action when the Eagles loaded the box, to get into the end zone. 

One of the ways to improve in this area is to acquire, in the words of John Madden, a big old lineman who can stuff the run.  Albert Haynesworth has been a name in the mix to fill this void for the Eagles, with the hiring of defensive line coach Jim Washburn.  However, Albert has been making waves off the field (a misdemeanor assault and a run-in while checking out of a hotel) and may not be worth the trouble unless he can be had at a bargain price.

The free agent crop at this position isn't really all that exciting to me, but the draft will have players like Nick Fairley (Auburn) and Marcell Dareus (Alabama). 

Perhaps the Eagles can go ahead and grab Haynesworth at a bargain price when and if the Redskins turn him loose, then draft one of the top defensive tackles to take his place when he decides he doesn't want to play here after all.

A True Number Two Cornerback

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SAN FRANCISCO - OCTOBER 17: Nnamdi Asomugha #21 of the Oakland Raiders breaks up a pass intended for Michael Crabtree #15 of the San Francisco 49ers at Candlestick Park on October 17, 2010 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

What do Ellis Hobbs, Dimitri Patterson and Joselio Hanson have in common?  All three are solid nickel cornerbacks that the Eagles tried to utilize in the starting rotation opposite Asante Samuel.

Remember the great defenses of Eagles lore?  Eric Allen and Mark McMillian, Troy Vincent and Bobby Taylor, Lito Sheppard and Sheldon Brown.  Asante Samuel and whoever the Eagles are able to get this offseason.

I'm a fan of adding future starting cornerbacks in the draft, but only if there is already talent at the position now.  Which means they need to dip into free agency for this position, and there are really two players that would be fantastic additions.

The most talked-about player available is Nnamdi Asomugha of the Oakland Raiders.  He'll enter the market as one of the top players available, period, let alone the premier corner.  The Eagles will at least inquire about him, if not pursue him to some degree.

Another possibility is Antonio Cromartie of the Jets.  He's the second best corner on the market.  Other free agent possibilities may include Ronde Barber, Phillip Buchanon, and William Gay.

Middle Linebacker

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JACKSONVILLE, FL - OCTOBER 18: Receiver Marcedes Lewis #89 of the Jacksonville Jaguars is tackled by linebacker Stephen Tulloch #55 of the Tennessee Titans during the game at EverBank Field on October 18, 2010 in Jacksonville, Florida. (Photo by J. Meri

Too often in 2010 we saw [insert middle linebacker name here] chasing tight ends and running backs across the gridiron.  Not to mention that when it counted most (in the postseason), the Eagles run defense failed to show up.

I am generally a fan of Stewart Bradley, but he did not regain his form until midway through last season.  Once he finally did, he suffered another injury.  Jamar Chaney stepped in as a rookie and struggled at times in both the pass and run defense.

Bradley is scheduled to become a free agent, and while I think the Eagles should try to retain him for one to two seasons, it is evident that they need a plan B at middle linebacker.

There are a few free agents that they might look at, including Takeo Spikes, Stephen Tulloch and  Paul Pozluszny.

Takeo and Poz would be low-risk, high-reward signings to compete for playing time while Tulloch would be bringing in a starting-caliber player.

Offensive Line

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GLENDALE, AZ - SEPTEMBER 02: Defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth #92 of the Washington Redskins battles for position with Alan Faneca #66 of the Arizona Cardinals during preseason NFL game at the University of Phoenix Stadium on September 2, 2010 in Glen

The biggest need in the offseason is improving their protection of Michael Vick.
Vick was beaten, battered, and banged up come playoff time because he was hit hard time and again.  Not all of that was the fault of the offensive line, but much was.  In my mind, the Eagles especially should pursue free agents at right tackle, right guard and possibly center.

Center would be the lowest priority because there is a chance Jamaal Jackson returns and is healthy, so center could be a position that is focused in the draft.

First priority here is the right side of the line, which I think requires a complete overhaul. 

At right tackle, I think the Eagles should sign Matt Light to a short-term (2 year) deal then draft a tackle.  Alan Faneca would be a solid pickup at guard for the Eagles, and again I'd still see them drafting at least a guard (Stephen Wisniewski from PSU was solid in the bowl game against Florida).

Icing On the Cake: Bring Back a Fan Favorite

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DENVER - NOVEMBER 14: Running back Jamaal Charles #25 of the Kansas City Chiefs rushes as Brian Dawkins #20 of the Denver Broncos tries to strip the ball at INVESCO Field at Mile High on November 14, 2010 in Denver, Colorado. The Broncos defeated the Chi

Finall, the Eagles should bring back Brian Dawkins to play Strong Safety (they are not likely to retain Quintin Mikell).  This would provide veteran leadership and a dramatic spark to a defense that desperately needs both.  It would also be a hugely popular move by Eagles brass and would make diehards happy.

Although Dawkins signed a 5-year deal with Denver, there is an option for him to "opt-out" after 2 years of the deal are completed.  So while this is again not likely, I wouldn't rule it out.  After all, the Eagles have a history of bringing back players who can help (Trotter, Burgess, etc).

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