03/27/04

As of today, Free Agency has witnessed the departure of Duce Staley RB, Bobby Taylor CB, Troy Vincent CB, Carlos Emmons OLB, and Bobbie Williams G.  The inbound talent is Jevon Kearse DE, Dhani Jones OLB, and Terrell Owens WR.  At first glance, what stands out are the big-time players Owens and Kearse.  Both have been acquired to resolve previous year deficiencies in the passing game and in sack production.  They are outstanding acquisitions. 

However, the second obvious result of Free Agency has been that the Eagles have lost more players than they have acquired.  Although the Eagles have been grooming high draft picks for the CB spots and young players Westbrook RB and Artis Hicks G have shown great promise, the departing Free Agents are two Pro-Bowl CBs,  two highly productive players, and a backup at G.  The net of this, however, is that the Eagles gained in areas where they needed to gain and they lost in areas that they can afford.  The Eagles starters are set going into the draft.  The challenge is to draft for depth and to draft in areas where they can improve the team by elevating the quality of the competition - CB, G/C, WR, and LB.

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