You Talkin' to Me? Pondering the draft

From: Gonzalez, John

To: Fox, Ashley; Fitzpatrick, Frank

Subject: Eagles draft needs

The NFL draft begins tomorrow in New York. The Eagles have made several trades and stockpiled a good amount of picks (though they just swapped a fifth-rounder for Lions linebacker Ernie Sims). Help out Joe Banner, Andy Reid and Howie Roseman: what position should the Birds address first when the event begins in New York tonight?

From: Fox, Ashley

To: Fitzpatrick, Frank; Gonzalez, John

Subject: Eagles draft needs

I'd start with a D-tackle who can make an immediate impact and get pressure up the middle to help collapse the pocket. Good pressure can mask problems in the secondary, although clearly the Eagles need a kick-butt safety and another corner. The fact is, they need several players on defense who can come in and play - and start - right away.

This is a huge draft for the Eagles as an organization and for Howie Roseman as a new general manager. We'll see what the young Mr. Roseman has got. He better get it right.

From: Fitzpatrick, Frank

To: Fox, Ashley; Gonzalez, John

Subject: Eagles draft needs

I suppose replacements for Joe Banner, Andy Reid, and Howie Roseman are out of the question? If so, I'd like to see, in order, a linebacker, a safety, a quarterback, a running back, and someone who could enliven Reid's deathly news conferences.

From: Gonzalez, John

To: Fox, Ashley; Fitzpatrick, Frank

Subject: Eagles draft needs

I'll go corner, defensive and offensive line, safety and linebacker - though I like your thinking, Fitzy, about replacing the front office. If McNabb fetched a second and a third or fourth next season, what could we get for Banner and Reid? I'm thinking Ambien and an empty notepad would be fair value.

From: Fitzpatrick, Frank

To: Fox, Ashley; Gonzalez, John

Subject: Eagles draft needs

I've never quite understood why the Eagles provide media coaching for their players but not their coach.  Here you have a franchise worth hundreds of millions and its prime spokesman appears to be narcotized every time he steps to a podium.