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Monday, February 16, 2009
In a FOX interview with Anthony Gargano, Eagles general manager Tom Heckert talked about the team's offseason plans, including the possibility of adding a wide receiver.

Gargano asked Heckert point-blank what the Eagles need to do to get better in the offseason.

"I know from the fans' aspect here [laughing], everybody's talking about receiver, but you know, you look at it, Donovan [McNabb] broke all his records this year than he's had in the past throwing the ball," Heckert said. "So I think that's an easy out for everybody to say we need a wide receiver but we think we did get one. We got DeSean Jackson who's gonna be a great player for us."

Previously in the interview, however, Heckert was asked if McNabb has the ability to win a game at the end, and he seemed to indicate that the Birds' QB could use some help.

"You can't throw everything on Donovan," he said. "We have to do a better job of getting better players. We have to do things to help him out and to help the whole team out."

Later, Gargano specifically brought up the name of Cardinals receiver Anquan Boldin, who could end up on the trading block. Gargano pointed out that he knew Heckert couldn't talk specifically about Boldin, but he asked if a player of his caliber were available, would it be something the Eagles might be interested in.

"We've always said we're not against receivers," Heckert said. "That was kind of the gist with the fans that we just refuse to go after receiver. We did it with T.O. If we think there's a great receiver out there that can help us, we'll go after him."

It should be expected that Heckert wasn't going to tip his hand to the public during the interview. But it was interesting that he wasn't shy about identifying a couple positions where he thinks the team does need help. One of those was backup running back.

Gargano asked if the team had ruled out using an early draft pick on a running back.

"I don't think you can rule that out at all," Heckert said. "It's just a situation where Brian's [Westbrook] a great football player. We think he's the best back in the league, especially for our offense, but we do need another guy so I wouldn't rule that out at all. If there's a player there that we think can help us and help spell Brian a little bit, we'd do that."

It was almost a 15-minute interview. Here were some other highlights:

** Heckert said Reggie Brown will be back with the team next season.

** Heckert said the team would love to have Brian Dawkins back.

** He said defensive end is not a "high priority" and the team is pretty much set at linebacker.

** Answering the annual question of whether the window is open: "I don't think there's any question about it. I think it's probably opening more just because like we talked about, our defense is so good and we're gonna improve there."

** On whether the team plans on keeping its two first-round picks or would be open to making a deal: "Obviously in our situation, we probably don't need to move down to get [more] picks. We're in pretty good shape. But you know, moving up is always a possibility."

Click here to watch the entire interview.

Tip of the cap to Mike Missanelli and ESPN 950, where I first heard Heckert's comments.
Posted by Sheil Kapadia @ 5:54 AM  Permalink | 54 comments
54
Comments   
Posted 07:42 PM, 02/15/2009
tonygreeneagle5
T.J Hou WELCOME 2 PHILLY !!!!:)
Posted 07:44 PM, 02/15/2009
tonygreeneagle5
I Hope K. Moreno is there when we Draft he's the the best RB (in my opinion) in this years Draft
Posted 08:25 PM, 02/15/2009
KGKoons
Hey we have Reggie Brown. Don't need no WR who is tall, buff and can actually jump up and catch the ball. Nah. Why not add Miguel Cairo? He might just be what the Birds need.
Posted 09:38 PM, 02/15/2009
losteagle
told you so for the last 5 years! get rid of ownership and management and that moron coach! "YOU WANT CHANGE"
Posted 09:51 PM, 02/15/2009
deanwermer
Reggie Brown coming back I can live with. Greg Lewis I can't...
Posted 10:01 PM, 02/15/2009
elektrika
Reggie Brown can come back as long as he is sprinting down field to tackle after the punt and batting fifth behind Anquan Boldin, DeSean Jackson, Kevin Curtis, Jason Avant and Hank Baskett. Yes, I said it, BEHIND Hank Baskett. Get a receiver, Heckert....GET A RECEIVER!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted 10:41 PM, 02/15/2009
Blackacre
Does Heckert still work for the Eagles?
Posted 11:24 PM, 02/15/2009
southern eagle fan
Let's see, we have an offensive line that has two tackles up for free agency and their best years are behind them, a running back who is one of the top players in the game but can't perform late in season due to injury, two undersized wide receivers who are their best playmakers but if you send them across the middle consistently you risk season-ending injury, a safety with rapidly declining skills and only one decent tight end. Lots of picks but very few superior athletes to choose from. The top rated safety isn't well thought of. Bumper crop of decent tackles. The wide receivers at the Eagle's picks aren't number "one" types. Okay group of running backs. Wonder what the Eagle's are gonna do. Hope they get Pettigrew who might not get deep downfield but he'll be another Jason Witten (and he can block too!).
Posted 01:13 AM, 02/16/2009
MikeMikeMike
"Obviously in our situation, we probably don't need to move down to get [more] picks. We're in pretty good shape. But you know, moving up is always a possibility." Very revealing quote. Good job!
Posted 01:25 AM, 02/16/2009
gtcrawley
Mike, I thought exactly the same thing. Go get Crabtree!!!
Posted 02:12 AM, 02/16/2009
philliekev04
I definitly don't want TJ. He'll be 32 when the season starts. He had an amazing 92 cathes this past season but only just over 900yrds. Thats less than 10yrds/catch. With that many catches you should have over 1500yds or so. He also only had 4 TDs. 92 catches and only 4 TDs! Id rather have Boldin. He's the same height, he's younger, and at this point in their careers he's just better. I can live without upgrading WR if they upgrade other areas and i dont mean upgrading only through the draft. The arent far from the Super Bowl so they need guys that can come in and make an immediate, significant impact. Go after Tony Gonzalez! That would be HUGE. get a running back. Upgrade on defense and offensive line
Posted 03:23 AM, 02/16/2009
eagles7777
Heckert is a clown in the "Bozo" mold. What absolute gibberish. I can't tell whether you were talking to Heckert or Reid. Talk about soul mates. Makes me want to vomit.
Posted 06:08 AM, 02/16/2009
Dave Clemens
Geez, it reassures me a lot to know Reggie Brown will be back. A real difference-maker... And also that Heckert regurgitates Reid's "a little bit" locution. Tom could as easily have said this: "If we get another running back, we'll play him a little bit, like we play Buckhalter a little bit, because we have only a little bit of confidence in anybody other than Westbrook, even though he's always injured a little bit, as we've proved a little bit with Buck, Moats, Hunt and Eckel."
Posted 07:11 AM, 02/16/2009
extremebeat
Is it time for mini camps yet???
Posted 07:18 AM, 02/16/2009
Jiggs
Bring back Reggie Brown?. Last time I looked he was in street clothes watch G. F**KING Lewi drop bombs down field in the NFC championchip game. They need to cut both of them ASAP.
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Sheil Kapadia is a sports producer for philly.com. His earliest memories as a sports fan include several trips to Veterans Stadium with his dad, most of which turned out disappointing results. He's here to discuss the NFL 365 days a year. E-mail him at skapadia@philly.com or by clicking here

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