Eagles should sit on couch during the draft

seems to be eluding most involved: exactly who will that selection be?

There are four possible picks who might change the Eagles' forturie for years to come or might plague them for years to come.

Any one could succeed and become a stud player in this league for years, but nothing is for certain.

Paul Moser

The Eagles are on the clock. It is time. It's set for fifteen minutes, possibly the most important fifteen minutes this team will have spent in the last ten years.

There will be a crowded room full of men, football men, working together as one unit to shape a winner, or so the fans hope. There will be tables, charts, reports and, if Eagles head coach Andy Reid has anything to do with it, donuts as well.

However, the appetite in question here does not have to do with food. It has to do with this organization's hunger for winning and its ability to feed millions of fans in the Philadelphia region.

The future of this team can be shaped with this all-important second overall selection in the draft.

The Eagles finished the season with a 313 record last season, the worst in years. As a reward for this ineptitude, the Eagles are rewarded with a choice pick in this draft. Now it is up to them to make a sound decision.

The only question remaining is one that

I would be happy with any one of the picks-happier with some than others-but still, there is no telling which one will definitely be the right choice until years down the road, when hindsight is 20/20.

Before I break down the skills of these four possible future Eagles, let's look at what the needs of the draft for the eagles are.

Pretty much everything.

This team was so bad there is no area whatsoever which could not use an upgrade. But if I had to choose, it looks like the receiving corp along with the secondary are glaring needs. The offensive line could use a new tackle to replace aging Richard Cooper and the defensive line could use another stud run-stopper. Look for offense, though, and skilled offensive positions to be in the top three picks. In what was considered by many to be one of the worst offenses ever, there is much need for help.

This is where the top four prospective Eagles come into play. Any one of these picks will be the focal point of the offense for years to come. Here is a breakdown of the top four, so you can have a little idea of who might lead the Eagles into the new millennium.

Long Shots

Akili Smith, Quarterback, University of Oregon

Smith started one year at quarterback in Oregon. He is a mobile quarterback with the strongest arm in the draft. Many have him slated to go No. l. That is why he is a long shot in our preview. Personally, l think he does not have the experience that I would like a first pick-or even a second pick, for that matter-to have. I also am not crazy about his age. He is 24.

Ricky Williams, Running Back, University of Texas

Williams is the most talented player in this draft, period. I think he may be the most talented player to come out in years. That said, he will not be coming to the Eagles. Reid has stated that the Eagles need a quarterback and all but said that they are not going to take Williams. I would be pleasantly shocked if he comes here on draft day.

Best Bets

Donovan McNabb, Quarterback, Syracuse

McNabb may have the best physical skills of any of the quarterbacks in this draft. He has a good sense of running in the pocket. He is the faster of the three at the top. The one bad quality of his game is that he was an option quarterback in college. It will be an adjustment to switch to a pro-style offense. He has a very good chance especially if Tim Couch goes No. 1-to be the Ea- gles' selection.

Tim Cooch, Quarterback, University of Kentucky Couch is the most complete quarterback of this draft. He has the most touch of any of the passers in the draft and the most experience in a West Coast-style of offense. Couch reminds me a lot of Peyton Manning when he came out. The only thing that will keep the Eagles from drafting him No. 2 if his arm strength. I feel that he is the best selection for the Eagles, though. If the Eagles are smart, they will pick him No. 2 if he is available.

Akili Smith, QB Tim Couch, QB Donovan McNabb, QB Champ Bailey, CB Ricky Williams, RB

Edgerrin James, RB Chris Claiborne, LB Torry Holt, WR Jevon Kearse, LB

Daunte Culpepper, QB Chris McAlister, CB John Tait, OT David Boston, WR Anthony McFarland, LB Cade McNown, QB

PAUL MOSER'S TOP 15 Browns Eagles Bengals Colts Redskins Rams Bears Cardinals Lions Ravens Vikings Saints Steelers Chiefs Tampa Bay

PaulMoseris a seniormajoringin English/ communication.Heis oneof Loqutur'ssports editors.HewentNo.1 in the'88draft,butwas cutfromtheteamafterhisarrestondrugcharges.