My feeling on Hunt is that Reid must not have any faith that he can read and pick up a blitz -- and given what we've seen from him in limited action, that would be valid.  

As much as I'd like to have seen Hunt as well, there's no reason to get the QB killed because of it.  Let's see how he breaks out of camp next season.

Guys like Quinton Mikell typify this defense to me, like you said solid but no playmaking.  The question is where do you add playmakers, and how?  I think the end spot opposite Cole is the most natural spot, there are some good ends that could be around in the middle of the first (I'm thinking Vernon Gholston or Calais Campbell), or maybe Jared Allen wants to test free agency.  With another end putting pressure on the quarterback and getting penetration, I think the pressure could lead to more turnovers.

I don't see them adding playmaking anywhere else, unfortunately.  There's only one safety in the draft considered a top prospect, he'll go before the Eagles pick.  I don't see them picking a linebacker after Bradley looked good the past two games.  

I really like where the defense is at.  I agree that we need some youth and depth in the secondary (because of age and injury issues), but I believe it is the other side of the ball is where the playmakers are required.  

Just to prove my point, follow me here:

I think Mikell is one of the hard-hitters on the defense, and will likely be the starter.  

We would all certainly want Dawkins back.

Lito may not be that great of a cover guy anymore, but can you deny that he's a playmaker?

Sheldon Brown hits as hard as any cornerback in the league and plays the ball well.

We all like the young linebackers -- do the Eagles really need to draft anyone there who will be expected to play right away?

On the D-Line -- Trent Cole isn't going anywhere.  Bunkley and Patterson removed all doubt I had about them this season, as the Eagles above average against the run.

That leaves the other DE spot.  I don't think Juqua Thomas is an NFL starter.  

I think there clearly needs to be some adjustments made on special teams.  The kickoff return and punt return units were pathetic.  If that unit provided any kind of big play at all during the season it could have been the difference.

The last few weeks McNabb has shown his mobility again.  I was especially impressed in the Dallas game -- that defense is really quick and really athletic and he was able to avoid and run by them.

I think Todd Herremans didn't have such a great year, and might be fighting for his job in camp next spring.  

Whether Celek is the answer at TE is an open question.  He has looked good catching the ball though.

Avant, Baskett, and Greg Lewis are just out there -- completely unimpressive.  If this team could land a weapon to add to the 3 WR sets it would be a big deal.  Preferably a big guy.

Defensive line
Patterson is an above-average DT. Bunkley has a huge upside and can simply blow up plays at times. He should only get better. Cole is an above-average pass rusher, but doesn't play the run that well. DE Thomas is decent and with more consistent playing time should improve.

LBs
Gaither is going to be good. He is the Eagles MLB for the next several years. His speed is a huge asset that doesn't always show up. His ability to cover TEs makes the defense a lot better. He got a lot better by the end of the year. Spikes is OK, but nothing special. Gocong has a ton of athletic talent, but he's raw and often takes false steps because he has trouble reading pass vs. run. Bradley looks like a player and he's got good lateral speed. In his limited playing time, Jordan looks like a fringe player, but who knows.

Secondary
Lito and Brown are average corners. But I like that they both have shown the ability to make plays. Will James doesn't look like an NFL CB with his reads, insticts or tackling. Hanson could be OK.
Safety is a big question mark. I like what JR Reed showed. To me, Mikell isn't the player that some think he is. He made a lot of bad reads during his stint. But he appears to be an upgrade over Consedine. We'll see what happens with Dawk.

QB
McNabb proved he can still make plays and looked better as the season went on. He'll always make those throws into the ground that everyone hates, but he gives the Birds a chance to win next year.
WR
This is obvious. Curtis was a great signing and has a lot of Wes Welker in him. RBrown was a huge disappointment - a lot of drops and inconsistent. I think Avant could be good. The others could go.
TE
Celek is the TE of the future. He's a better blocker than LJ and has better hands. And probably won't fumble as much.
Oline
C Jackson and RG Andrews are really good. Runyan and Thomas are old and their skills are declining, especially Thomas. Herremans is serviceable. In the final game, Justice didn't impress. He drew two penalties and missed a lot of blocks. He doesn't look physical or agile.

I think offensive tackle is a huge need with Thomas' skills declining and Runyan's age. Plus, Justice hasn't shown much. After that, I'd like to see the Eagles upgrade at FB, CB and of course, WR.

but if we're stuck with the Reid pass-heavy offense, I'd be shocked if we won a SB without a big time WR.  And there aren't many of those out there, especially not in the draft.  

It's frustrating to me that Reid keeps expecting the QB to throw 40 times a game in almost every game, even the close ones.  We have the personnel to have a very good running game but it's not used enough in my view.

Because I don't expect Reid to change his philosophy, I hope we improve at special teams to get the offense better field position.  I'd take a chance in the draft on DeSean Jackson from Cal if he comes out early because he could make a difference on special teams.    

  First off I have to say what a shitty year it has been. The Eagles played really poorly all year. I'm the type of fan that blames everything on the coach in every sport. It's Reids fault for letting his team play without emotion alot of games this year. Sheldon Brown's comments about the trickle down effect really agreed with me. How can you explain the fact that we could have lost to the Phins and then almost beat the best team in the last 10years with our back up QB?DOn't give me the NFL is really balenced crap either...

  I think that has to do with his extremely laid back practices. I know they used to alway's go Helmets and shoulder pads all week. I'd like to quote Jimmy Johnson(old Dallas Coach) "When has there been a game with helmets and shoulder pads?" "They don't play the games like that so I will not have my team practicing like that." You play like you practice!

 With all that being said the only other beef that I can think of is the play calling. I read some where that Marty's was consistant with his game plan of a balance of Passing and Throwing! LMAO.... Why would you put Mcnabb in that predicament? I dunno what they were thinking but we all saw the result. The stats are in and we ended up 17th in points scored and 9th in points allowed. We passed the ball 578 times!!!! And ran it only 421 Times. I can't complain if this was a 2006 version of Mcnabb but I clearly wasn't so this isn't the smartest way to go about your play calling. Enough with the 2007 season and let's start the yearly this is our year talk.

2008 should be a very succesful year if the front office can use the money that they have to get playmakers like Bleed Green was talking about.

First and formost,

Darren Howard, Javon Kearse(G Cobb was right on the money with him),Sean Considine, James(What a bum), G Lewis,LJ Smith, Thomas Tapeh,Reno Mahe, all shouldn't be any where near the LINC on sunday's in 2008. Andrew pointed out that we will have to pay Howard and Kearse some money to cut them, but we shouldn't have them taking up a roster spots as well as cap space.

I would look into trading Todd Herramens because he totally had a really shitty year holds too much and didn't play as well as he did last year. If they are convinced that he will move to Tackle and he is better there he should sit on the bench until that time. Buckhalter is a great back up RB!!! I love his style and passion. With that being said I don't think they use him enough, I think that they feel that he might get injured agian. I also think that he has some value if we try to trade him.

I will wait to see the combine before I go all Ricky Williams on everyone but, I like a few players and I will address that in April.

The Eagles need in order, A BIG TIME OFFENSIVE COORDINATER!!!!! NO MORE BSING!! Sean Peyton type guy would be nice,  playmaker WR ,a playmaker SS, 3rd corner, Return Guy, young FS,1 DE to replace to 2 leaving, Look at TE's situation, real FB(Tapeh is barley serviceable),

Agian I will look at draft when the infomation becomes aval, I just hope that Reid can look at the Pats and See that some Rookies can really help your team. He never plays them.... This needs to stop.

2008 will be our year GO EAGLES!!!!

PS I will not be rooting for DALLAS if they play the PATS in the SUPERBOWL.... Even though I hate BILLACHEAT AND CO....  

Not Under Contract, Don't Want to See Back
RB/PR - Reno Mahe
CB - Will James
DT - Ian Scott
DT - Kimo von Oelhoffen

Don't Want to See Back, Please Cut 'em
DE - Jerome McDougle
DE - Jevon Kearse
LB - Pago Togafau

????, On the Bubble
DE/DT/LS - Darren Howard
DT - Monte Reagor
RB/KR - Ryan Moats
CB - Nick Graham
S - Marcus Paschal
OG - Scott Young

Not Under Contract, ????
TE - LJ Smith
FB - Thomas Tapeh

Not Under Contract, Please Re-sign
CB - Joselio Hanson

Need to Rethink Plans For
OT - Winston Justice

Do We Need Both?
WR's - Jason Avant, Hank Baskett

Draft Needs (or Free Agent/Trade)
Rounds 1-3
S
KR/PR
TE
DE
CB
Rounds 4-7
OT/OG
DT