Only one Eagle turned up on SportingNews.com's list of Super 99 NFL Free Agents. Pro Bowl Leonard Weaver came in at No. 38 on the list.
In terms of receivers on the list, it was surprising not to see Jason Avant's name among the 12 receivers who made the list. Among those dozen names were San Diego's Vincent Jackson, Dallas' Miles Austin, Denver's Brandon Marshall, Arizona's Steve Breaston and the Jets' Braylon Edwards.
Tough and sure-handed, the 6-foot, 212-pound Avant enjoyed a career year last season, setting career highs with 41 receptions, 587 receiving yards and 3 touchdowns.
A fourth-round draft choice in 2006, Avant has never been flashy. He simply makes solid contributions at opportune times. Including postseason games, Avant has converted 32 of his 37 career third-down catches for first downs.
Other Eagles noticeably absent from the list include offensive lineman Nick Cole and cornerback/returner Ellis Hobbs.
Ironically, Cole made a list compiled by ESPN's Len Pasquarelli, who took a look at the 212 players who in a normal year would be set to become unrestricted free agents, but because of the uncapped year will only become restricted free agents on March 5.
Pasquarelli constructed an all-star team out of these players and it's a pretty impressive squad. Weaver and Cole are the two Eagles who were named to the squad.
Hobbs, though coming off injury, provided a spark in the kick return game last season and adds veteran depth to the secondary.
-- Posted by Bob Kent, 4:30 p.m., March 1
