Some of this is wishful thinking. Much of it is speculative. All of it comes from a unique perspective as the Eagles transition from the draft to whatever form of free agency happens next. There are several items on the docket to discuss ...
- The Kevin Kolb trade rumors are going to carry us through until free agency begins, and then after that we're going to find out pretty quickly the plan. Does he stay or does he go? What kind of market will there be for Kolb? I understand the reports already: The Eagles have a first-round pick in 2012 for him. The Cardinals, Seahawks and other teams are interested. There is a lot of talk going around, that's for sure.
- So what happens if Kolb is traded? Well, the Eagles would only do so if they received a very strong package in return, of course. And it would be a tremendous sign of confidence in second-year man Mike Kafka, who was one of the first players in the NovaCare Complex last Friday when the doors were opened to the players, albeit briefly. It wouldn't surprise me if Kafka got right in with the coaches and studied as much as he could and had his offseason study plans prepared. He is a studious kid. He probably took all of the study film he could get his hands on.
- Head coach Andy Reid confirmed on a radio interview on Tuesday what I thought about the offensive line: Todd Herremans stays at left guard. It makes sense. Herremans and Jason Peters make a very good left side of the line. Danny Watkins is the leading candidate to start at right guard. The battles are at center -- Jamaal Jackson and Mike McGlynn, with Jackson having the lead there because of his experience -- and at right tackle -- where I believe King Dunlap will seriously challenge Winston Justice. With his good feet, his long arms and his punch, Dunlap is a player Howard Mudd is going to enjoy working with.
- Speaking of offensive line, the Eagles are really shaking it up along the interior of the line with the selection of three players in the draft. On the surface, it leaves Max Jean-Gilles, Nick Cole and Reggie Wells very much on the periphery of the plans here.
- It is, I'll repeat, impossible to judge this defense until all the pieces are in place. And they simply are not in place right now. I still think the Eagles are going to add help in the secondary and at defensive line when the league year opens for business. Cornerback? Seems to be a position of need to me, yes. Defensive end? Yeah, for sure. Defensive tackle? I would think it could be a possibility. It isn't like the defensive tackles here last year were overly productive all season.
- Fifth wide receiver is a position of interest to me. I admit that I focus in on the bottom of the roster a lot. Right now, as I look at this roster, Chad Hall and Sinorice Moss are the guys battling for that fifth spot. Both are quick-type receivers, rather than big-bodied targets for the red zone. The Eagles are certainly going to flesh out this position and keep their eyes open for other additions, but I guess I was a little bit surprised that they didn't use a draft pick on the position.
- One of the best roster battles is going to be for the fullback job. Owen Schmitt was very good last year replacing Leonard Weaver, and now he will have to fend off a challenge from seventh-round draft pick Stanley Havili, who is more of an offensive threat. Schmitt has the inside track, of course, but Havili is an athletic player and he gives a different option in the offense.
- Jerome Harrison is an interesting case study. If he becomes an unrestricted free agent, it might be difficult to keep him around. He's a quality back in this league. If he stays, it will be tough for fifth-round draft pick Dion Lewis to make this roster. Harrison's situation all depends upon the new rules that are put in place.
- Could be the same thing for middle linebacker Stewart Bradley. If he becomes an unrestricted free agent, Bradley could get quite a bit of interest. What are the Eagles backup plans if Bradley leaves? Probably Jamar Chaney and then Casey Matthews gets looks, along with Greg Lloyd, Jr.
- Safety is a really intriguing position for me. Quintin Mikell is a free agent to be. Does he return? If not, this group could be about as young as any I can remember in recent Eagles history with thee second-year players (Nate Allen, Kurt Coleman, Colt Anderson), a rookie (Jaiqwuan Jarrett), a young veteran (Jamar Adams) and an injury-ravaged veteran (Marlin Jackson). Four or five of those players would make the team.
- During our weekend of draft coverage here -- thank you for tuning in! -- one of our analysts named Bill Werndl -- who spots for ESPN and who has been in the media game for a long, long time -- urged the Eagles to consider adding defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth in the months to come. I wonder how you feel about it. Is he worth adding to the mix here?
