Eaglesfacemanytoughdecisionsasfreeagencyperiodbegins

by Jim Martin sports editor

After the Eagles' season ended in defeat to the San Francisco 49ers, coach Ray ~Jiodes vowed he would improve his team during the off season.

The fi{st part of this process begins on Saturday, Feb. 15, when the free agency period begins.

The Eagles will be free to talk to players like Brett Perriman, Neil Smith, Chester McGlockton, Eric Metcalf and any other free agents they are interested in.

The Eagles have many tough calls to make in free agency.

Although they have many holes to fill, the Eagles will not be able to fill them all with free agents because of the salary cap.

The difficult part is deciding which holes they are going to fill with free agents and which holes they will fill with draft choices.

Anybody who watched the Eagles this year knows they will never win a Super Bowl with their current group of players.

Let us first take a look at their offense.

The Eagles do not look like they will make any moves at the quarterback position. The team seems comfortable with the prospect of starting either Ty Detmer or Rodney Peete.

If the Eagles do not trade running-back Ricky Watters, they will once again have an excellent backfield in Watters and fullback Kevin Turner.

One player the Eagles might be looking to trade is running back Charlie Garner, whom they could use as trade bait to move up in the draft.

Now comes the worst part about the Eagles: their offensive line.

The offensive line has been a weak spot for the Eagles for the past ten years.

They will be looking to add at least one or two major free agent additions to strengthen their line. The Eagles might be looking at players like Minnesota's Randall McDaniel, who has been a ProBowl player for the past seven or eight years.

They will also be looking to add a speedy wide receiver to their receiving corps. Although Irving Fryar had a career year and Chris T. Jones blossomed into a good player, the Eagles lacked a speedy wide receiver who could give them a consistent deep threat. Players such as Perriman will be among the receivers available.

Although rookie-tight-end James Dunn was very inconsistent, it will be a major surprise if they add another tight end.

On the defensive side of the ball, the Eagles also have some tough decisions to make. Do they resign defensive end

William Fuller or go after a younger, better DE like Neil Smith?

They also desperately need another defensive tackle. While All-pro players such as McGlockton and Gilbert will be available, the 1997 draft is projected to be filled with many good defensive lineman, so the Eagles could go with a draft pick to fill that hole.

At linebacker, the Eagles are set with William Thomas but they have to decide if they want to go with young starters James Willis and Ray Farmer. Players such as Steelers linebacker Chad Brown are available if the Eagles decide to go another route.

Although they did not perform up to expectations, the Eagles are set at cornerback with Bobby Taylor and Troy Vincent. Safety Brain Dawkins looks like a future All-Pro. However, the Eagles have to decide if they want to keep veteran leader Michael Zordich, who was a liability in pass coverage, at strong safety, or if they want to go with a younger and faster player who will do a better job against the pass.

On special teams, a very sore spot for many Eagles fans, the Eagles could be looking to replace kicker Gary Anderson and might also be looking to bring in someone like Eric Metcalf, who could return punts and kickoffs, as well as play running back and slot receiver.

It is obvious this off-season is a very big one for the Eagles. They took a step back last season and cannot afford to do the same this season.

Look for the Eagles to sign one or two All-Pro caliber free agents along with two or three lesser priced free agents who will come in and contribute.

The one thing working in the Eagles' favor is that they have considerably more money under the salary cap than most teams. Let us just hope they take that money and put it to good use.

Part one of a five-part series on health & fitness