Eagles Off-Season Update Du Jour

There were some whispers going around that the Eagles would be interested in acquiring Jordan Gross and/or Julius Peppers from the Carolina Steroid-Users Panthers. Well that won't be the case. Why, you ask? Because the Carolina Panthers have franchised Julius Peppers and signed Jordan Gross to six-year contract.

And while they were both long-shots to be Eagles to begin with, there's a part of me that would really like to have seen Julius Peppers on the other side of Trent Cole. Oh well, defensive-end is not the Eagles primary concern (eh-em, TRADE FOR ANQUAN BOLDIN! or SIGN T.J. HOUSHMANDZADEH and DRAFT BEANIE WELLS!) Aspeaking of the draft, an interesting report came out about the Eagles in today's Philly Inquirer. Now while this could all be a misleading smoke screen and even though the Eagles have 2 1st round drat picks, the Eagles are thinking of potentially thinking to move up in the draft. From the Philadelphia Inquirer Blog Zone

Tucked away in this seemingly innocent story about Donovan McNabb was a very compelling bit of draft news that has yet to become mainstream information. The Eagles may have their eye on an offensive lineman way up the draft board. Jason Smith (6-foot-5, 300 pounds) out of Baylor is considered one of the top offensive linemen in the draft, and there is a strong possibility he'll be selected in the top 10. But apparently that's not stopping the Eagles from taking a look at the converted tight end. A solid pass blocker with experience at both left and right tackle, at least one analyst believes the Eagles could try to use their two [first-round picks] to land the prospect. "He can be a good pass blocker on Day 1," said the NFL Network's Mike Mayock. "I think it's the kind of draft that even in the early 20s and the late 20s, you can get some pretty good football players there depending on what you're looking for. Or, typical of Andy [Reid] and Joe Banner, you can package them and move up if there was somebody there that he really liked. And you know Andy, he'll move up or move down. He rarely stays static." . . . Of course the draft is also about misdirection, so it's possible the Eagles have leaked this because there is in fact another top lineman they hope will fall far enough where they can move up and get him.

I know I've been adament about the Eagles' need for Beanie Wells (DRAFT BEANIE WELLS!), but if the Eagles move up to the Top 10 and pick an offensive linemen, assuming they don't go with one that's a reach (something Andy Reid is famous for), I guess I really can't complain that much. And besides, there is a chance that should the Eagles give up their 21st spot to take an offensive lineman, I would not rule out the possibility that Beanie Wells falls to #28. Running backs are not a big market this draft. But then again, at what point does a team that does not need a running back say to themselves that Wells is just too good to pass up? I'd guess that he won't not make it past New England at #23. That's just my speculation, though, take it for what it's worth.

Panthers franchise Peppers, sign Gross (Comcast.net)