The Eagles have parted ways with a number of popular veterans during the Andy Reid era. Players like Hugh Douglas and Jeremiah Trotter moved on to Jacksonville and Washington, but never really found their groove there. In fact, both found their way back to Philadelphia.

A year ago, the Eagles began retooling their roster and in doing so opted not to re-sign longtime veteran tackles Jon Runyan and Tra Thomas. The team also let Pro Bowl free safety Brian Dawkins leave for Denver in free agency. While Dawkins thrived in the Mile High city, Runyan and Thomas played in a combined 13 games. Thomas saw action in eight games, including three starts, with the Jaguars. Runyan, meanwhile, played in five games in 2009 with the Chargers.

This season, the team released Brian Westbrook, the franchise's second-leading rusher, and then within the last five days, traded cornerback Sheldon Brown and quarterback Donovan McNabb, the franchise leader in almost every passing category. Westbrook has yet to catch on with a new team, while Brown is in Cleveland and McNabb is in Washington.

Bottom line here: The Eagles, under Reid, have been historically smart managing their roster.

Check out the following from ESPN's Adam Schefter: "Since head coach Andy Reid has been in Philadelphia, the Eagles have developed a reputation for not allowing talented players to leave their franchise. In fact, one AFC team that did a study of other teams' personnel decisions said the Eagles fared better than any team in the league in knowing when to keep players and when to cut them loose. He said very few players other than guard Bobbie Williams in 2004, wide receiver Terrell Owens in 2006 and safety Brian Dawkins last year have left Philadelphia and gone on to prosper elsewhere.

"Another NFL executive pointed out that this is why the Eagles deserve the benefit of the doubt on a deal that sent quarterback Donovan McNabb to Washington in exchange for the Redskins second-round pick this year and a conditional third- or fourth-round pick in 2011."

-- Posted by Bob Kent, 3:32 p.m., April 6