The Eagles coach was pressed on the subject of going after playmakers and whether there was still a need based on the current roster during yesterday's media session at the NFL owners' meetings. The two biggest offseason free-agent moves were made on defense with the signings of cornerback Asante Samuel and defensive end Chris Clemons.

"I think we've got pretty good playmakers where we're at, which I think was evident by the results at the end of the season," Reid said of an 8-8 finish that included a three-game winning streak to close the year. "We kind of went on a bit of a run there and I thought that some of the guys stepped up and played well."

Reid said he talks to McNabb on a consistent basis and he isn't concerned with how McNabb has interpreted the team's offseason moves to this point. Reid reiterated that there is still time left in free agency. The deadline to sign restricted free agents is April 18.

Reid did make it clear that McNabb is one playmaker he does not intend to let get away, despite persistent trade rumors surrounding the veteran.

"I'm not trying to trade him," said Reid, who insisted he has not had any inquiries from other teams about McNabb or his other two quarterbacks, A.J. Feeley and Kevin Kolb. "Donovan and I talk more than any player that I've got. We always have and I think that's important with a quarterback. I've tried not to let that be an issue."

McNabb has not yet responded to an interview request from the Daily News.

While McNabb's mind should be put at ease based on Reid's comments, cornerback Lito Sheppard's future became a concern when Samuel was signed to a long-term deal worth $57.14 million over 6 years, with $20 million guaranteed. How expendable that made Sheppard is a question on the minds of Eagles fans as well as Sheppard himself.

Once again, Reid sees the situation in an entirely different light, saying with conviction that Sheppard is on the team. However, other Eagles sources have said they expect Sheppard to be traded and the team is known to be fielding offers for him.

"I look at it as Lito's a part of the group and we have a pretty good secondary," Reid said. "The one thing is, Asante's only played one side. Lito's been all over the place. Sheldon's [Brown] been all over the place, so it gives me a bunch of flexibility right there to mess with those three guys. It'll probably be very similar to when I had Al [Harris], where they all played and they were all starters."

Shortly after free agency began, the Eagles made a play for Patriots wide receiver Randy Moss in hopes of upgrading the position. But Moss indicated early that it was his intention to stay in New England, leaving the Eagles with Reggie Brown and Kevin Curtis as McNabb's primary receivers. Reid characterized it more as an attempt to make a competitive offer to a player he has known for a long time, but the window closed rather quickly.

Vocal Philadelphia fans have continued to voice their opinions on the need for the Eagles to go out and get a quality wide receiver, as Brown was third on the team in 2007 behind Westbrook and Curtis with 61 catches for 780 yards and four touchdowns.

"They're passionate about that X-spot and sometimes that can be a bit overrated, but I understand the want there," said Reid, who praised Brown's speed, quickness and ability to change directions as his biggest assets. "I don't necessarily feel the same way, but I understand where they're coming from."

Kick returner has been another area that has been highlighted, and Reid hasn't ruled out looking at other players in that role.

"Well, I think that's a spot we can upgrade, although I think Reno [Mahe] is a very solid answer," Reid said. "But I also think that like we do in all spots, you're looking to get a little better at each position."

The Eagles' biggest challenge, as it is every year, will be getting out of the NFC East without being too banged up and with a respectable record. The Eagles were the lone NFC East team not to make the postseason last year. The Eagles traditionally have intense rivals with all three division opponents, and that hasn't changed during Reid's tenure.

"That's what it's all about. You want competition," Reid said. "We've worked so hard for competition and it's like having a physics test every week, and that's what you want. You spend all those hours, you don't want to come in and have a team flop on you. You want to make it as competitive as you can, so I don't mind it at all. I think it's great."

And he is of the opinion that the NFC East remains, if not the toughest division in the league, one of the toughest.

"The Giants were dominant when I first got there, and it was quite a challenge just to get a win against them," Reid said. "Then everybody gradually - which they do - got better. We were able to kind of take over that nest and then everybody has kind of climbed up there and challenged that and it made it fun. I think everybody's gotten better is what's happened. I think everybody's drafted better. People have put a lot of money into free agents to try to catch up to the Eagles, and I think they've done a good job to make it competitive." *

Daily News sports writer Les Bowen contributed to this report.