Yes, the Eagles worked out Jeremiah Trotter for a second time when they brought him to the NovaCare Complex on Monday. By the accounts made public, the workout went well. Combined with the positive reaction to the first workout, last week, you understand that the Eagles are serious about Trotter, and that he has looked good enough for the Eagles to give signing him serious consideration.

Will they? That's the question. Head coach Andy Reid was undecided as of Monday night and the story remains the same on Tuesday morning. Adding Trotter to the roster would be as simple as releasing quarterback Jeff Garcia and signing Trotter. That isn't the issue. I can't imagine the terms of a contract would be so difficult, either. It isn't as if Trotter has a lot of teams knocking on his door.

This is all about football, and the merits of bringing Trotter back. He is 32 years old, has been out of the league since playing in three games for Tampa Bay in 2007. Trotter has stayed in shape, hoping for another shot. He may just get one with the Eagles.

It is totally Reid's call here. He knows what Trotter brings to the table: A fierce competitive fire. A 262-pound physical presence, which the Eagles could use to their advantage in the middle of the defense. Trotter also brings a knee that is always going to be a question mark, and he brings a huge bull's-eye on his back that will make him a target for every passing game in the league.

This game is such a chess match. What happens when an offensive coordinator sees Trotter on the field? That coordinator is going to try to make Trotter play in space, in pass coverage. Teams will run crossing routes at Trotter all game. Can the Eagles counter with a move that "protects" Trotter and better puts him in a box where he can be more effective playing "downhill" football?

If the Eagles can do that, if they can get Trotter on the field charging the line of scrimmage and blowing up a blocking wall and helping against the run, well, it would help the defense. Without Stewart Bradley, the Eagles lack bulk inside. No offense to Omar Gaither, who is a fine linebacker, and Joe Mays, who is a young talent still developing, but neither of them is 260 pounds and neither of them is physical enough to wreak the kind of havoc that Trotter has wreaked over the years.

Now, nobody knows how Trotter would hold up for the rest of the season. He wouldn't come here to play 50 snaps a game, either, so maybe the pounding on his knee would be minimal. Maybe the Eagles could maximize his effectiveness by limiting his reps and making him a specialized linebacker.

Maybe, in the end, Reid decides to stay with what he has and move forward. We'll see. A decision is going to come, one way or the other, this week, I imagine. This is the bye week and this is the time to decide what to do with Garcia. A roster spot is going to be open once the Eagles release Garcia, which I think is a foregone conclusion. Donovan McNabb is on track to return to practice next week and if that happens, there is no need for Garcia to remain an Eagle. He has a chance to catch on somewhere else in the league.

Trotter? It is a wait-and-see proposition, and an incredibly intriguing story to follow.

**A LITTLE BIT OF THIS AND A LITTLE BIT OF THAT

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• What is next for wide receiver Jeremy Maclin? He started and caught 4 passes against Kansas City and most important was in the right place at the right time. And from what I understand, Maclin played all three wide receiver positions the week before against New Orleans and did well there, too. The Eagles really like the way he is picking up the offense. His mental mistakes have been few. Kevin Curtis is an important receiver and you like the idea of having him on the field because he is someone the Eagles have learned to trust over the years. In the big games to come in November and December, Curtis is a key player. But if he can't go because of his knee injury, Maclin should be ready to be a factor.
• I watched Dallas' bore fest win over Carolina on Monday night and was not the least big impressed with the Cowboys. They are a listless team. They make too many mental mistakes and the offense lacks explosion. Carolina had Dallas on the ropes after the first half. The NFC is an interesting picture. The Giants are playing great football, Dallas is not impressive but still 2-1 and the Redskins just lost to the Lions and have been unable to score points all year. That three-game stretch the Eagles have starting with a road game in Washington in a month is huge for this football team.
• Still waiting to see the Eagles utilize Alex Smith in the passing game, but that may not happen a whole lot. With all of these receivers --and I don't think the Eagles have ever had more depth at the position -- the second tight end is not going to get a lot of looks.
• Good job by Winston Justice working hard and improving every week. I don't know that he is dominating at right tackle, but Justice sure has played better and better and has helped shore up a huge concern entering the season.
• What is the NovaCare Complex like this week? Very, very quiet. Only players who have physical rehabilitation for injuries are around. The rest, for the most part, have vacated the premises and won't return until Monday, when they practice next.