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Full Analysis: What the Eagles will do in free agency

Andy Reid has made it clear that the #1 priority this offseason is defense, particularly a better pass rush. Here is a positional break down of what I expect the Eagles philosophy and approach to be in the offseason:

DEFENSIVE END - With Jevon Kearse likely to be cut and Darren Howard and Jerome McDougle useless as well, defensive end will be a huge priority for the Eagles. Outside of Trent Cole, the Eagles had no pass rush and it hurt the defense immensely. I expect the Eagles to use free agency to address this position because there are more free-agent DEs than CBs. Jared Alen and Terrell Suggs received the franchise tag, so that leaves the Bengal's Justin Smith and Tennessee's Antwan Odom and Travis LaBoy as the top 3 DEs available. I seriously expect the Eagles to land one of them. Inside the Eagles likes Antwan Odom, who is coming off a season with 8 sacks, 7 deflected passes, and 1 forced fumble. I think he would be a great option to help bolster the pass rush. I really think the Eagles use their first-round pick on an OT and if not, a CB, but if the Eagles want to take a DE in the 1st round, then I would expect them to take a hard look at Calais Campbell and Derrick Harvey.

CORNERBACK - The Eagles are reported to be interested in Asante Samuel, but he's expecting a 10-year $100 million contract ($30 million guaranteed). The Eagles don't throw that kind of money at players, especially when they already have two very talented corners in Lito Sheppard and Sheldon Brown, and a solid young prospect in Joselio Hanson to be their nickel corner. The Eagles were really after Seatttle's Marcus Trufonte because he would come with a much more reasonable price tag, but he was given the franchise tag. A trade for DeAngelo Hall is a possibility, but the Giants are heavily pursuing Hall.

I don't think the Eagles will add a corner in free agency because another team is likely to lure Samuel away by throwing the bank at him. I expect the Eagles to address their need for another corner in the draft. They'll probably use their 2nd-round pick for a corner (I expect them to go for an offensive tackle in the 1st round). Hopefully, the Eagles can trade up in the 2nd round to get Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie or Aqib Talib. If the Eagles stay put in the 2nd round, those players will be off the board, and the Eagles may give a good look at Virginia Tech's Brandon Flowers. Flowers would be great in the Eagles scheme since he's a great blitzing corner.

SAFETY - The Eagles are also in the market for a safety and the Giant's Gibril Wilson could fit the bill. Wilson had an outstanding season in his 4th year in the NFL. He had 92 tackles, 4 INTs, and was very instrumental in the Giants' championship run. As far as drafting a safety, Miami's Kenny Phillips is a possibility if he slips to 19, but that's unlikely. Other than Phillips, I wouldn't take a safety in the first round. Tom Zbikowski in the 3rd round would be a great pick to add depth to safety and he can return kicks, which would also help the team.

OFFENSIVE LINE - The Eagles are also interested in Pittsburgh's OG Alan Faneca. The Eagles are expected to make a strong play for the guard. Faneca is a top talent, but I'm concerned with his age (31). The Eagles need to get younger on the line. If the Eagles add Faneca, they would move Shawn Andrews over to tackle when Runyan is set to retire.

Rather than addressing the line in free agency, I'm all for using a first-round pick on an OT: the Eagles have their eye on Chris Williams. In the future, when Runyan and Thomas's time to retire comes, a line of Herremans at LT, Jean-Giles at LG, Jackson at C, Andrews at RG, and the 1st round pick (Chris Williams or Jeff Otah) at RT seems like a good plan.

[86WARD]

Faneca...can't go wrong with him if you're willing to pay...