Finally, there was talk of "sources" and franchise tags and salary cap room and "reports" that we are supposed to pay attention to.

There was no looking in the rear-view mirror at the season that wasn't, and the dreams that were not realized. We have suffered enough, Eagles fans: It is time to wonder what is next for a franchise entering a most important season in the big-picture perspective of the organization.

And so what are we paying attention to? Not a whole lot more than chatter, but it's good chatter. Let's address the issues that may or may not have much reality to them ...

REPORT: THE EAGLES WILL USE A FRANCHISE TAG ON WR JACKSON

This is a report that is speculative and, in the coming week we will find out for sure, unquestionably likely. The Eagles have a lot of options with Jackson, the 25-year-old playmaker who had such an up-and-down 2011. He is scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent on March 13 and so the next move is fairly defined: The Eagles can let him enter the market, or they can protect their rights by using a franchise tag on him, or they can sign him to a long-term contract.

Two out of three of those options mean that Jackson stays. If he becomes a free agent, Jackson joins what could be an extraordinary free-agent pool of talent at wide receiver. Any team looking for a wide receiver can pick from a supremely talented group.

If he stays, Jackson remains a valuable piece of the offense. Will the Eagles use a franchise tag, which will cost approximately $9.5 million against the 2012 salary cap? Is there any way they can sign him to a long-term deal?

I don't know the answers. I don't think, at this very moment, that the Eagles know the answer. This is a fluid situation. Teams can use the franchise tag beginning on February 20, only a handful of days away.

My gut says that Jackson plays as an Eagle in 2012. That's just a gut feeling. I certainly understand that when it comes to free agency and the Eagles' true intentions, I don't know a whole lot. Only a few people do.

REPORT: EAGLES "CURIOUS" ABOUT WR RANDYMOSS

I get it. I really do. A reporter hears that Randy Moss, a Pro Football Hall-of-Fame talent, wants to come back and play this season. The reporter knows the Eagles have shown interest in Moss in the past, and he calls up an Eagles source.

The source says the Eagles would be "curious" should Moss really want to play.

And a story is born.

Now, I will say that I certainly hope the Eagles would be curious. I hope they are curious and open minded about everything in this offseason. Heck, in every offseason. I love that the Eagles are so progressive that way.

As for Moss actually becoming an Eagle, there are a lot of factors to consider. Randy Moss, as great as he used to be, is not going to entice any team to spend any money on him without first working out and showing that he still is an explosive player.

So if Moss actually goes through the process and gets in shape and eats some humble pie and works out for teams and proves himself after the last few years of struggling so much, he's going to attract an audience.

If he thinks he is going to show up and sign a big deal, hey, welcome to the new NFL, Randy. There aren't any handouts this year, not with a wide receiver market that potentially could house four or five true No. 1 targets.

CAP ROOM: HOW MUCH DO THE EAGLES HAVE?

I don't know the exact numbers and I wouldn't tell you if I did -- the salary cap changes almost every day with roster bonuses, etc -- but the general numbers reported -- in the neighborhood of $20 million, lend some idea that the Eagles can make some moves if they desire.

I say this: They are going to make some moves, and they are going to make some good ones. The first priority is to take care of their own players. This team has some substantial bills to pay if they want to retain what they have.

Jackson is on the top of the list, of course. That franchise tag ain't chump change. Then there are other potential free agents to consider, like left guard Evan Mathis, who fits in very well here.

What about the rest of the roster? Do you think LeSean McCoy is worth at least some strong consideration of a new contract? Anybody else? What about defensive tackle Cullen Jenkins, who has a big cap number written into the second year of his deal? Cornerback Asante Samuel carries with him a salary-cap number of about $9.5 million.

You see how quickly any room the Eagles have within the confines of the salary cap can go away.

It is going to be fascinating to see what decisions the Eagles make ahead. They have to make it work and have themselves a terrific few months to get into the Super Bowl game in September. That is when, and only when, we'll know just how good the Eagles truly are and what kind of roster they have put together.

Finally, after these weeks of pain and agony and what-ifs and why-nots, we can look ahead at a season of promise, of intrigue, of so much importance in the wide scope of the Eagles franchise.