Will the Eagles be players in the off-season?

So here we are Eagles fans sitting at home not anticipating our Birds first playoff game for the 2007 season. Now instead we have sit back watch other teams attempt make history. As we await for the season to end and hope, prey and cross our fingers in hopes that Andy Reid and the rest of the front office opens their eyes and makes the moves that need to be made in order for us to win and get back to the Super bowl for the 2008 season.

It really is a shame, because we as Eagles fans have been waiting so damn long to see our team hoist that Vince Lombardi Trophy in victory. But it is even more a shame for the players of this team. Players such as Donovan McNabb, Jon Runyan and Brian Westbrook that have shed the blood sweat and tears their entire lives to become NFL stars. To only have their dreams of becoming Super Bowl Champions dashed because this team doesn't want to spend the amount of money it takes to become a top notch team like the Patriots or Colts do.

Now we fans saw a team go out in the off-season and do what they needed to do to become a championship caliber team again, despite what they did in the past. I am talking about the New England Patriots. We all know they've won the Super Bowl three times by barely spending any money at all. But they saw in the last few years that they have been coming up short in the playoffs. They attributed their losses to a need on defense so they went out in free agency and picked up the best player out there in Adalius Thomas. But their most glairing need was on offense in their wide receiver position. So what did they do? They only picked up Donte' Stallworth and traded for Wes Welker and All-World Receiver Randy Moss. See even though the Patriots were one of the best teams out there they weren't complacent with being 'one of' the best. They went out in the off-season and did what was necessary to become the best. See the patriots learned from the past seasons that the best way to win during the Season is to win in the off-season.

Now what have are Eagles done? Nothing near what they need to do to become a champion. They have continued to spend their cap money improperly and always shop in the Bargain Basement. Picking up players like Darren Howard, Montae Reagor and Will James along with countless other bottom-rung players over the years. Aside from the season where they grabbed Terrell Owens they've done nothing to make this team better. But Eagles fans this off-season must be the season. Because if it isn't then the Andy Reid era may never win a Super Bowl.

Many people have spoke about Donovan McNabb being dealt in the off-season. I personally do not see that happening. Unless The Vikings, Bears or some unnamed team blows them away with a trade. Now with that being said McNabb may not be traded or let go this upcoming season. But it will be his last season as the Eagles starting Quarterback. Because 2009 will begin the Kevin Kolb Era and the Eagles will begin their rebuilding process.

So that being the case they need to put all their chips in. They need to pick up the following pieces to get to the championship level. On Defense they need a Defensive end, a safety and cornerback who can return kicks as well as play the position. Now I think for it to be effective this season they'd need to pick up the defensive end via trade or free agency from a high-end source and not the bottom-rung. The rest of the defensive players (Safety & Cornerback) can be obtained through the draft.

Now on offense they need to go ahead and grab through free-agency or Trade for a receiver with break away speed that can get down the field. Chad Johnson would be my top choice but Bernard Berrian would work just as well. Just one of those guys to get down the field. Because if the Eagles do not have a receiver who can get down the field to catch the ball their offense just isn't as effective as we saw this season. Now as far as the Tight End position goes I do not think they need a tight end and some may think I am crazy. But I see Brent Celek becoming extremely good at that tight end position and may even become one of the better tight ends in the league in years to come.

Now if the Eagles just play hardball for once in the off-season and throw in all the chips, By strengthening the positions that I have stated here I believe that the Eagles will be back as not only the beasts of the East but of the entire NFC.

But the question always remains will they pay the price to be the best?