What they're saying about the Eagles

Here's the weekly roundup of what the national media are saying about the Eagles after their 21-16 loss to the Packers in the first round of the playoffs.

And in case you missed it from earlier Wednesday, I posted Bodog.com odds on Kevin Kolb's likelihood of returning to the Eagles and odds on Nnmadi Asomugha's next team. 

SI.com's Peter King thinks the Eagles' biggest offseason priority has to be protecting Michael Vick:

This is not going to be an easy offseason for any team in the league, with the labor issues surely affecting every team's preparation for 2011. But if the Eagles are serious about making Vick their long-term answer at quarterback, their biggest priority this offseason will be in building a better line and making sure he's less exposed to the kinds of hits he's taken all season. I don't propose putting him in a suit of armor or max-protecting him half of the offensive snaps. But you cannot think this 6-foot man is going to survive a full season if defenses have 904 chances to knock his block off. Philly has to get a better line and one more threat in the receiving game to make sure they're not overly reliant on Jackson and Jeremy Maclin.

Dan Wetzel of Yahoo Sports writes about the final chapter of Vick's season:

Vick was the story of the year in the NFL. He was second string in Week 1. He was an MVP candidate by midseason. He was the most dangerous man in football in those final furious moments – darting, ducking and dashing the Eagles down the field. He'd shook off a turned ankle to get back out there and do his thing. This was Michael Vick in the final minute. This was the next chapter.

Adam Caplan of FoxSports.com writes about the issues the Eagles face this offseason, including DeSean Jackson's contract situation:

Star wide receiver DeSean Jackson finished this season with one year left on his rookie deal. He's scheduled to earn just $565,000 in base salary for 2011 — a figure well below an acceptable amount for a player of his stature. Privately, the team has told Jackson, who is considered to be the NFL's best deep threat, he will get a lucrative contract extension once the new CBA is reached. But give Jackson credit. Although it was obvious he was bothered by not having a new deal this season, he did not cause any distractions.

Jason La Canfora writes that the Eagles once again will dictate the QB market this offseason:

So once again the Philadelphia Eagles will be the fulcrum of the quarterback machinations. Say what you want about Kolb's limited sample size, and his career passer rating of 73.2, but he has had several big games in a pressure-filled town. Not to mention, he has been graced by the Andy Reid Seal of Approval. For a quarterback, that's huge. McNabb, a quarterback nearing the end of his career, without a contract extension at the time, fetched two picks, including a second-rounder, a year ago. With Kolb younger, cheaper and potentially much better than McNabb right now, the admission to this trade party will be steep.

A league executive tells La Canfora he doesn't think the Eagles would settle for anything less than a high second-round draft pick that could become a first-round pick for Kolb.

Dan Pompei of the National Football Post writes about whether the Eagles should trade Kolb:

The National Football Post surveyed three front office executives from different teams, and each said if they were running the Eagles they would accept a first-round pick for Kolb.

What any team can get in a trade is contingent on supply and demand. There aren't many quarterbacks who are exciting teams in the draft, and Kolb probably will be the most attractive veteran available (unless you buy into the fact that your coach can manage Vince Young).

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