MY WISH LIST

With the Pro Bowl to be played in Hawaii this Sunday, the National Football League can close the book (and possibly throw it at the New England Patriots) on the 2007 season, and look toward the 2008 campaign. As an Eagles fan, it is very clear that the balance of power in the NFC East has clearly shifted. The New York Giants won the Super Bowl. The Dallas Cowboys, despite another late season collapse, are a talented team with a young defense and great coaching staff. The Washington Redskins appear to be on the verge of hiring Steve Spagnuolo as their head coach after the former Eagles assistant held the most prolific offense in the history of the game to 14 points on Super Sunday. So what can the Birds do to keep this ever present window of opportunity from being sealed shut before ever reaching the promise land? Well, it is obvious the Eagles need play-makers. It has been obvious to the fans since the pre-and-post-T.O. eras. Obvious to Donovan McNabb, who has plead to his front office, through the media, for more impact players on several occasions since the season ended without a playoff berth for the second time in three seasons. But who are these "difference making" players? Well, many teams draft young players with a lot of potential and allow them to grow into their roles as very productive stars. While Philly has become adept at drafting "solid" players, no argument can be made that no STAR has been scouted and brought in on day one of the draft since Brian Westbrook was drafted in the third round out of Villanova in 2002. Since the draft is more of a building block for the future than it is an instant player-provider for the Eagles, many of the team's problems can be solved through free agency. The popular sentiment for "analysts" these days is that the free agent market is dead due to an incredible rise in the salary cap which allows teams to sign their stars before ever hitting the open market. While this is somewhat true, very good players are still available. After a bit of research, the following list, MY WISH LIST, if you will, is a group of players that I believe will propel the Eagles back to the top of the division, into the playoffs, and with a little luck, into the Super Bowl. (Note: it would be very easy to compose a list consisting of Tom Brady, Chad Johnson, Jason Witten, Ed Reed and Devin Hester, I am attempting to keep my wants and needs in the basis of reality. It would be very nice to acquire a Pro Bowl team, but it is not going to happen. Hopefully some of my suggestions do happen).

MY WISH LIST

1) Alan Faneca- Left Guard (Pittsburgh Steelers): Championships are won in the trenches, the New York Giants just proved that fact. It is also a fact that Andy Reid values offensive linemen as highly as he does quarterbacks, and they do not get much better than the All-Pro Faneca. Adding Faneca would give the Eagles the absolute best pair of guards in the league, and solidify a line that underachieved in 2007. The seven-time Pro Bowler would also add veteran leadership and be an anchor to the O-line once William Thomas retires and Jon Runyan's pain out-weighs his money, and he hangs up the cleats. This move would also allow for Todd Herremanns to move back to his natural position of offensive tackle, which opens up the possibility of using him at the tight end position in short yardage situations and to wear down the opposing D-line (Hey, the TEs can't block anyway, so why waste the time?). Playing the Giants twice a year, the Birds are going to need to be dominant up front in order to win those games as well as keep McNabb and Brian Westbrook healthy. This also gives Max Jean-Gilles more time to develop under one of the best at his position, and allows Reid to not be pressed into playing the still raw Winston Justice when William Thomas goes down.

2)Asante Samuel- Cornerback (New England Patriots): Lito Sheppard is a great big-play corner, when healthy. Sheldon Brown is one of the league's top hitters and does well in coverage. The Eagles D allowed fewer points than any other team in the division but took the ball away less than all three division rivals. The result? an 8-8 record. While the defense cannot be blamed for a majority of this team's problems, the Eagles need to take the ball away. The match-up possibilities are enough to make any Eagles fan giddy over the idea of adding the Pro Bowl corner. Being able to line Sheppard and Samuel up on the outside with Brown as the nickel would strike fear into any offensive coordinator. Moving Brown to safety (where I believe he is best suited) would solidify a big-play secondary. With Brian Dawkins in what could very well be his final season, and a big question mark at the strong safety position, Brown would do well in either spot, where he would be able to roam, ball hawk and do what he's best at, laying receivers and running backs out, on a more consistent basis. Asante Samuel's 16 interceptions in the past two seasons would also set the offense up with more possessions in better field position, something McNabb and company would gladly welcome.

3)Donte' Stallworth- Wide Receiver (New England Patriots): Yes, the former Eagle is under contract with the Super Bowl runners-up, but Stallworth is due an eight-million dollar roster bonus on March 1st, and with either a long-term deal or franchise tag in fellow receiver Randy Moss seeming imminent, New England will have a hard time justifying tying up so much money at one position, especially with the glaring holes in New England's defense. Stallworth will, in all likelihood, be released before he is due his $8 million guarantee. Bringing the speedy receiver back to Philly would create match-up problems on every level for a defense. Stallworth's DB-burning ability is exactly what Donovan McNabb has been asking for, and putting a healthy Stallworth on the outside allows for Kevin Curtis to move back to his natural position, slot receiver, where he will assume the Wes Welker-role as a fast match-up problem with good hands and big-play potential. With LJ Smith being designated the franchise tag earlier today, defenses will be left with a lot of tough decisions to make. Obviously, the number one concern of any defense will be to contain Brian Westbrook. But with the possibility of a three receiver set of Stallworth, Curtis and the inconsistent but effective Reggie Brown, defenses will have to lineup in the nickel set, meaning Westbrook will be able to slash his way through a smaller defense on running plays. Then when defenses bulk up to stop the run, that potent play-action pass we all came to know and love in 2006, deep to Donte', will make defenses fear their quick strike capabilities. AND IMAGINE THE SCREEN GAME! The conventional middle and side screens and swing passes to Westbrook, bubble-screens to Curtis in the slot (yes, I do believe Curtis and Welker are, in fact, the same player) and the WR screen to Stallworth which he could take to the house on any given attempt. Plus, as long as LJ is healthy and Brent Celek continues to develop, there are two pass-catching TEs defenses will not know how to handle. The addition of Stallworth could improve every aspect of the offense. While "reliable sources" have been whispering the names of Chad Johnson (trade), Larry Fitzgerald (if he opts out of his deal in 'Zona), and Roy Williams (supposedly wants out of Detroit), but as stated earlier, I would like to keep this wish list within the realm of reality.

Well, this is the first half of MY WISH LST. Check back tomorrow for the thrilling conclusion.