What they're saying about the Eagles

Here's a roundup of what the national media are saying about the Eagles:

SI.com's Jeff Diamond takes a look at the Birds' offseason needs and says they should let DeSean Jackson walk:

Four straight wins to end the season was more like the team everyone expected after their flurry of free agent signings. The first concern is to vastly improve the -14 turnover ratio. That starts with QB Mike Vick, who needs to stay healthy and protect the ball better. The Eagles' biggest needs are at middle linebacker and strong side linebacker, and Curtis Lofton of Atlanta would be a good free agent addition. At WR, it's time to say goodbye to me-first DeSean Jackson and sign Dwayne Bowe, Marques Colston or Vincent Jackson in free agency. Andy Reid needs to get back to the playoffs or it's probably time for a change. He'll need the Eagles refocused from day one to avoid the poor start that doomed them in 2011.

SI.com's Peter King takes a guess at which team will face the Giants in the 2012 opener. The Eagles make his list of five possibilities, along with the Packers, Saints, Steelers and Cowboys. King also puts the Eagles 12th in his power rankings:

Ninety miles down the New Jersey Turnpike, the Eagles' fans look at the Giants and say in unison, "All right, Andy Reid. Two titles in four years for the Giants. Our patience has run out.''

FoxSports.com's Ross Jones makes 10 bold predictions, including one that involves Jackson:

DeSean Jackson suffered a disappointing season in 2011.The Eagles never lived up to stratospheric expectations and Jackson shut it down early. He will hit the free-agent market — unless Philly crafts an extension or slaps the franchise tag on him — and could use a change in scenery. The University of Cal product could go back to his roots and have his career reinvigorated with Jim Harbaugh calling the shots. The Niners would also be filling a need as they are moth-eaten at the wide receiver position and suffered return woes in the NFC Championship Game.

Peter Schrager of FoxSports.com looks ahead to next season and has the Eagles in his Trending Upwards category:

The "Dream Team" took its hits during the 2011 season, but it ended the season with four straight wins and a lot of momentum heading into the offseason. DeSean Jackson likely won't be back, and there are 11 other free agents to be decided on, but for the most part, the Eagles are trending upwards.

If the linebackers can improve and Philly can find a way to score in the red zone, Philadelphia's a very scary team heading into next season.

Pete Prisco has a list out of the top 50 free agents. He's got DeSean Jackson fifth overall and the top wide receiver:

The ability should get him a huge contract. But the attitude might cut that down some. Even so, this kid is a game-changer. Those guys don't hit the market all the time. He turns 26 in December.

Prisco has Evan Mathis at No. 41 on his list.

Lance Zierlein of TheSidelineView.com has the Eagles taking Baylor WR Kendall Wright at No. 15:

The Eagles could look to fill their need at the LB position with this spot, but chances are that there will be LBs available in the 2nd round while the ability to draft one of the top 3 WRs at this spot. The Eagles might choose to draft Wright and rid themselves of the issues that DeSean Jackson brought onto the field.

Zierlein goes two rounds with his mock and has the Eagles picking up a pair of linebackers in the second round (remember, they have Arizona's pick): North Carolina's Zach Brown at No. 46 and Arizona State's Vontaze Burfict at No. 51.

Steve Wyche of NFL.com takes a look back at 11 storylines from the 2011 season. The Eagles make the list at No.8:

Money can't buy love, happiness or even a playoff berth. The Eagles found out that going on a shopping spree for some of the NFL's top free agents wasn't all that it seemed. Nnamdi Asomugha, Cullen Jenkins and Jason Babin played well (especially Jenkins and Babin), but the lack of chemistry backfired after a lockout-shortened offseason. Wide receiver DeSean Jackson also didn't seem to take too kindly to watching management pay other players but not take care of him, and his brooding clearly had a negative effect.

Chad Reuter of NFL.com has the Eagles taking Boston College linebacker Luke Kuechly at No. 15:

Head coach/GM Andy Reid typically does not address the linebacker position this early in the draft, but the team's problems in the middle of the defense -- and Kuechly's production and instincts -- may be too much to ignore.

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