Keep some, show some the door

Complicating matters somewhat is that fourth-year veterans in the final year of their deals would typically be unrestricted free agents when the new league year starts in March. But with an unsettled labor situation, the threat of an uncapped year next season would greatly alter the free-agent rules, a fact that linebacker Omar Gaither acknowledged last week when asked about his possible return next season.

"As of right now, with the [collective bargaining agreement] deal torn up, I'm an Eagle next year," Gaither said. "That's what I'm looking forward to."

Gaither, on injured reserve after suffering a season-ending foot injury last month, would have been an unrestricted free agent next year, but if there's no new collective bargaining agreement, he'll only be a restricted free agent. Only players with six years of experience will be unrestricted free agents if no new labor deal is struck.

"Who knows what may happen?" Gaither said.

Five players in addition to Gaither also are in limbo about the status of their free agency, because they are in their fourth season and they do not have a contract beyond this year. That list: wide receiver Jason Avant, guards Nick Cole and Max Jean-Gilles, linebacker Chris Gocong, and tackle Winston Justice.

The players, of course, must decide whether they want to sign an extension or test the free-agent waters. Sometimes the extensions work out well for the players - Reggie Brown is a good example - and sometimes they benefit the team more - Sheldon Brown would be the role model for that scenario.

Here's a look at some of the more interesting contract discussions the Eagles will have between now and the end of the season with an opinion about what the team should do.

Winston Justice. Four months ago, the idea that the Eagles would want to keep Justice beyond this season would have been ridiculed. Now, with Shawn Andrews spending a second straight season in the outskirts of Los Angeles rehabilitating a bad back and Jon Runyan contemplating a career in politics, Justice appears to be a must-keep player. He has performed very well in his first season as a starter at right tackle.

Keep him.

Chris Gocong. He's not a star, but he has been solid and durable during his three seasons as a starter. Last week against Dallas he missed his first game since moving into the starting lineup three seasons ago, but he'll return today as a middle linebacker against San Diego.

Keep him.

Jason Avant. He's an outstanding slot receiver who is at his best in third-down situations. As long as he doesn't want starter money, then the Eagles should bring him back.

Keep him.

Nick Cole. He would have been expendable if Stacy Andrews had stepped in as the starting right guard. That didn't happen.

Keep him.

Max Jean-Gilles. He has started 15 games the last three seasons, but that has been out of necessity and not choice.

Let him go.

Omar Gaither. If all of the Eagles' linebackers were healthy, including him, he'd be fifth on the depth chart.