The Eagles 2008 schedule is out! Take a look.

Week 1: Rams at Eagles, 1 PM, FOX

Week 2: Eagles at Cowboys, 8:30 PM, ESPN

Week 3: Steelers at Eagles, 4:15 PM, CBS

Week 4: Eagles at Bears, 8:15 PM, NBC

Week 5: Redskins at Eagles, 1:00 PM, FOX

Week 6: Eagles at 49ers, 4:15 PM, FOX

Week 7: BYE

Week 8: Falcons at Eagles, 1:00 PM, FOX

Week 9: Eagles at Seahawks, 4:15 PM, FOX

Week 10: Giants at Eagles, 8:15 PM, NBC

Week 11: Eagles at Bengals, 1:00 PM, FOX

Week 12: Eagles at Ravens, 1:00 PM, FOX

Week 13: THANKSGIVING DAY, Cardinals at Eagles, 8:15 PM, NFLNetwork

Week 14: Eagles at Giants, 1:00 PM, FOX

Week 15: Browns at Eagles, 8:30 PM, ESPN

Week 16: Eagles at Redskins, 1:00 PM, FOX

Week 17: Cowboys at Eagles, 1:00 PM, FOX

That's five national televised games (Cowboys, Bears, Giants, Cardinals, and Browns). Should be fun.

The following is a two round mock draft with trades completed by Eagles fan (one of what seems like hundreds here at YardBarker), "PhillyPhanatic". Updated edition.

2008 NFL Mock Draft 2.0

Draft Day Trades

1. The New Orleans Saints trade their 1st (10) and 3rd round picks to the Baltimore Ravens for their 1st (8) and 5th round picks. Considering the situation, this trade makes perfect sense to me. In my opinion, the Saints will pick one of two defensive positions; either linebacker or tackle. They recently signed Randall Gay; so cornerback, once a big need, is out of the picture. From what I've read, outside of Keith Rivers, there is no linebacker worthy of a top twenty pick. The same can be said about a defensive tackle, if both Glenn Dorsey and Sedrick Ellis are unavailable. After the Atlanta Falcons select Dorsey with the 3rd overall pick and the New England Patriots select Keith Rivers with the 7th overall pick, I don't see why the Saints wouldn't jump over the Bengals (who are also likely targeting a linebacker or defensive tackle) to fix their biggest need. If I'm the Baltimore GM, I'd want to screw the rival Bengals. I would not want the Bengals to get their hands on Sedrick Ellis, who has the talent to be a top three pick. If I'm not mistaken, Ellis would not work in the Ravens' 3-4 defense and they are in big need of a young corner, due to the current age of their DBs, Chris McAllister (34) and Samari Rolle (32). Make no mistake, they both had great careers but their "time" is nearing. That said I see no reason why the Ravens wouldn't trade down two spots, pick up a third round pick, and make it so that the Bengals would be left with players unhelpful to their needs.

2. The Dallas Cowboys trade their two 1st round picks (22 and 28) to the Buffalo Bills for their 1st (11) and 4th round picks. I can't possibly see a scenario in which Jerry Jones doesn't use his two first round picks to trade up. It has been rumored that he's interested in Darren McFadden, running back of the Arkansas Razorbacks, to give the Cowboys' running game a 1-2 punch. There is also the possibility that he may use the picks to get Chad Johnson or Anquan Boldin. As an Eagles fan, all of this scares the living crap out of me. Yes, if Chad Johnson is traded to the Cowboys, there's a good possibility that he and T.O. may not get along but that's not a certainty. And no Eagles fans, I don't see Johnson or Boldin in an Eagles' uniform this year (explanation in next trade). As for Buffalo's reason to trade down, they need to improve their offense by either a receiver or tight end. The eleventh pick is too early to pick a wideout.

3. The Philadelphia Eagles trade CB Lito Sheppard for the New York Jets' 2nd round pick and RB Leon Washington. Worst case/most likely scenario, Lito Sheppard is traded for a 2nd round pick. I'm sorry but I can't see the Eagles trading for Chad Johnson. He's too expensive and his situation compares too much to the time when Terrell Owens got himself out of San Francisco. The Cardinals appear set on keeping Fitzgerald and Boldin and Matt Millen is in love with wide receivers, evident by the first round picks he has wasted on them, and will likely keep Roy Williams. If the Eagles had their choice, they'd probably use their first pick on an offensive lineman. The thing is, nearly every team from pick twelve to eighteen is need of an offensive lineman. A case can be made for Denver, Carolina, Chicago, Detroit, and Houston. The only teams in front of the Eagles who may be willing to take Lito are the Patriots and Bills. The Patriots may be too high while the Bills may be satisfied with their platoon of Jabari Greer, Ashton Youboty, and William James. We may not be able to trade up and instead, fortunately, be left to settle with taking a wide receiver in round one. I'm hoping that wide receiver is either Malcolm Kelly of Oklahoma or Limas Sweed of Texas. We need another red zone target and at 6'4" with great ability to jump up and get the ball, both players can provide that. Hopefully, in the mind of Donovan, taking a WR in round one will make up for taking a QB in round two last year. Which, of course, is doubtful.

Back to the trade… Why does the trade favor the Jets? Well, I figure, if DeAngelo Hall is traded to the Raiders for an early second round pick, then Lito must have at least the same value considering he doesn't have as much baggage. The tandem of Lito Sheppard and Darrelle Revis would become one of the best in the league. With the selection of Darren McFadden, the signing of Jesse Chatman, the return of former 2006 Pro Bowl kick returner Justin Miller, and solid play by current starter Thomas Jones, Leon Washington becomes expendable. Leon Washington gives the Eagles the kick return man that they need.

* = Not Official

1ST ROUND

1. Miami Dolphins – Jake Long, OT, Michigan

2. St. Louis Rams – Chris Long, DE, Virginia

3. Atlanta Falcons – Glenn Dorsey, DT, LSU

4. Oakland Raiders – Vernon Gholston, DE, Arkansas

5. Kansas City Chiefs – Matt Ryan, QB, Boston College

6. New York Jets – Darren McFadden, RB, Arkansas

Note: No chance McFadden falls past the sixth pick. The Jets will do whatever they can to make sure McFadden doesn't fall into the hands of the Patriots.

7. New England Patriots – Keith Rivers, LB, USC

Note: Mostly everyone has a corner going to the Patriots in the first round to fill the hole that was created by the departure of Asante Samuel. I can't see it. A rookie cornerback, starting, can lose your team a game. Look for Ty Law to return with the Patriots.

8. * New Orleans Saints (via BAL) – Sedrick Ellis, DT, USC

9. Cincinnati Bengals – Derrick Harvey, DE, Florida

Note: While defensive end is not a need, the Bengals take arguably the best defensive player available. Harvey's stock has reportedly soared in the past month. On another note, it would be unwise to take a cornerback here as they have spent a first round pick on one in the last two years ( Leon Hall and Jonathan Joseph).

10. Baltimore Ravens (via NO) – Leodis McKelvin, CB, Troy

11. * Dallas Cowboys (via BUF) – Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, CB, Tennessee State

Note: Jerry Jones trades up to take arguably the best corner in the draft. Once a so-called "sleeper", Cromartie is now seen as the second coming of his cousin, Antonio Cromartie, who led the league with ten interceptions last year. Jerry Jones may also choose to select Rashard Mendenhall to pair with Marion Barber.

12. Denver Broncos – Ryan Clady, OT, Boise State

13. Carolina Panthers – Chris Williams, OT, Vanderbilt

14. Chicago Bears – Rashard Mendenhall, RB, Illinois

Note: Cedric Benson has been a disappointment. The Bears need to create an offense; resigning Grossman eliminates a passing game, Mendenhall would give them something to work with.

15. Detroit Lions – Jeff Otah, OT, Pittsburgh

Note: Is Matt Millen smart enough to select a lineman?

16. Arizona Cardinals – Mike Jenkins, CB, South Florida

17. Minnesota Vikings – Phillip Merling, DE, Clemson

18. Houston Texans – Jonathan Stewart, RB, Oregon

19. Philadelphia Eagles – Malcolm Kelly, WR and Rapper (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G9RiitZEHxA), Oklahoma

Scouting Report by Matt MacCoy, Offensive Scout at WarRoomReport.com (Check Link)

"Strengths: Malcolm Kelly continued to improve throughout his junior season and impressed scouts in the process… Malcolm Kelly runs smoothes concise routes that allows him to maximize the distance between him and his defender in order to best get open…Kelly stretches out his arms and catches the ball away from his body with his hands… Malcolm Kelly is an excellent every down receiver and should develop nicely into a red-zone threat…

Weaknesses: Has good speed, but may not have great top end speed…with the recent struggles of former Oklahoma WR Mark Clayton, a prospect in which Kelly will be compared to often, some scouts maybe a bit skeptical of his long term prospects…he will need to work getting off of "jams" at the next level…must improve his strength...does he play tough enough?…will have little to no impact in the special teams game…disappeared at times for Oklahoma...some durability concerns

Overall: Malcolm Kelly may not be a spectacular prospect, but an extremely solid one. He may have the best all-around game of any WR in the 2008 Draft class. He is a long-strider so he surprises many defenders with his speed. There are several wide receivers in this class that have question marks surrounding either their speed or whether they are big enough to withstand the rigors of the National Football League, neither concern applies to Malcolm Kelly. NFL teams looking for a WR to step in and play right away will look no further than Malcolm Kelly."

20. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Aquib Talib, CB, Kansas

21. Washington Redskins – Kenny Phillips, S, Miami

Note: Phillips replaces arguably one of the best safeties in the last decade. Am I over exaggerating?

22. * Buffalo Bills (via DAL) – Limas Sweed, WR, Texas

23. Pittsburgh Steelers – James Hardy, WR, Indiana

Note: Big Ben asks for a tall wide receiver. Enter 6'7" James Hardy. Is that tall enough for ya?

24. Tennessee Titans – DeSean Jackson, WR, California

25. Seattle Seahawks – Branden Albert, OG, Virginia

26. Jacksonville Jaguars – Kentawn Balmer, DT, North Carolina

27. San Diego Chargers – Felix Jones, RB, Arkansas

Note: Jones replaces Michael Turner, who signed with the Falcons, and gives the Chargers a good complement to Tomlinson.

28. * Buffalo Bills (via DAL) – Fred Davis, TE, USC

29. San Francisco 49ers – Devin Thomas, WR, Michigan State

30. Green Bay Packers – Brandon Flowers, CB, Virginia Tech

31. New York Giants – Reggie Smith, S, Oklahoma

2ND ROUND

32. Miami Dolphins – Dan Connor, LB, Penn State

33. St. Louis Rams – Gosder Cherilus, OT, Boston College

34. Atlanta Falcons – Joe Flacco, QB, Delaware

35. Kansas City Chiefs – Sam Baker, OT, USC

36. * Philadelphia Eagles (via NYJ) – Carl Nicks, OT, Nebraska

37. Atlanta Falcons – Mario Manningham, WR, Michigan

38. Baltimore Ravens – Brian Brohm, QB, Louisville

39. San Francisco 49ers – Oniel Cousins, OT, UTEP

40. New Orleans Saints – Jerod Mayo, LB, Tennessee

41. Buffalo Bills – Chilo Rachal, OG, USC

42. Denver Broncos – Earl Bennettt, WR, Vanderbilt

43. Carolina Panthers – Lawrence Jackson, DE, USC

44. Chicago Bears – Chad Henne, QB, Michigan

45. Detroit Lions – Antoine Cason, CB, Arizona

46. Cincinnati Bengals – Pat Sims, DT, Auburn

47. Minnesota Vikings – Heath Benedict, OT, Newberry

48. Atlanta Falcons – Patrick Lee, CB, Auburn

49. Philadelphia Eagles – Tracy Porter, CB, Indiana

50. Arizona Cardinals – Chris Johnson, RB, East Carolina

51. Washington Redskins – Calais Campbell, DE, Miami

52. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Early Doucet, WR, LSU

53. Pittsburgh Steelers – Roy Schuening, OG, Oregon State

54. Tennessee Titans – Quentin Groves, DE, Auburn

55. Seattle Seahawks – Dustin Keller, TE, Purdue

56. Green Bay Packers – DaJuan Morgan, S, North Carolina State

57. Miami Dolphins – Charles Godfrey, CB, Iowa

58. Jacksonville Jaguars – Thomas DeCoud, S, UCLA

59. Indianapolis Colts – Jason Jones, DE, Eastern Michigan

60. Green Bay Packers – John Carlson, TE, Notre Dame

61. Dallas Cowboys – Lavelle Hawkins, WR, California

62. New England Patriots – Justin King, CB, Penn State

63. New York Giants – Erin Henderson, LB, Maryland

According to FoxSports.com, Asante Samuel is scheduled to visit the Eagles on Friday. It was reported late Thursday night, by GCobbs.com, that Samuel had a deal in place to sign with Philly. Possibly, 55 million for 5 years.

With Samuel, the Eagles could arguably have the best secondary in the NFL.

In other news, ProFootballTalk.com reports that DE Justin Smith and WR Bernard Berrian are both scheduled to visit the Vikings Friday and Saints are said to have acquired former Jets LB Jonathan Vilma for a conditional draft pick. The Saints are also rumored to be interested in Giants TE Jeremy Shockey.

Philadelphia Eagles DT Mike Patterson was reportedly arrested for possession of marijuana. He could face a four-game suspension due to the NFL Substance Abuse Policy, or worse if Andy Reid and the Eagles organization feel the need for a harsher penalty. The question is, how will Andy Reid respond to this considering the current issues he has with his two sons?

I sure hope nothing comes of this. The Eagles D-Line already needs improving. With the lack of quality players in free agency, replacing Patterson makes the task even more difficult.

We're three weeks away from the beginning of the official NFL off-season, when teams are allowed to begin making offers to players and teams. I'm very excited. Chances are that the Eagles will not be inactive like they have been in recent past. Similar to what I did in another article of mine, "Possible Weapons for Eagles in '08", I'll share what I hope the Eagles do, to help them become the team they need to be in order to finally win the Super Bowl, while considering current rumors.

Most recently, ESPN's Chris Mortensen reported that Asante Samuel may be targeted by the Eagles. There was another rumor that the Eagles may trade Reggie Brown and a 4th round pick to the Detroit Lions for WR Roy Williams. Another source said that the Eagles were eying Vanderbilt OT Chris Williams at the Senior Bowl.

My thoughts...I love it. I'd be satisfied if only those three things get accomplished this off-season.

Asante Samuel and Lito Sheppard. What a pairing that would be! That could become the best CB-tandem in the NFL. Asante Samuel would open up so much; not just the defense but the special teams as well. Sheldon Brown could move to strong safety and Quintin Mikell could become a full-time member of the special teams, where he played great last year. Although, I would worry about how Sheldon Brown would take the whole thing. Last year, he was upset that Jim Johnson gave William James an open opportunity to take the starting role away from him. Last month, he argued that Donovan McNabb was wrong in asking for more playmakers. He obviously doesn't like the idea of moving to safety.

I have this weird feeling about what all could come of trading for Roy Williams. If the Eagles were to go out and just sign a free agent, like Bernard Berrian, we would be set at WR. By swapping WRs, I'm unsure whether or not Andy Reid would want to hand the third string role to Hank Baskett or Jason Avant. Is there a possibility that he could be trying to add another playmaker while, at the same time, keep a spot open for a wideout coming from the draft? Enter DeSean Jackson. I don't see why the Eagles wouldn't be taking a very serious look at him. The Eagles understand how bad their special teams were last season and have witnessed, just as the rest of the NFL has, what a superstar returning kicks can do for a team (the Bears and Devin Hester).



Eagles Off-Season To-Do List:

1. Do whatever it takes (I don't care how big of a price he is) to get Asante Samuel but, first, make sure Sheldon Brown would be satisfied with the switch to safety. It wouldn't be a good idea to have another disgruntled defensive back (formerly Michael Lewis). I can't see Asante Samuel going back to the Patriots for three reason. First, Samuel and the Patriots agree to a deal back in August which gave Samuel assurance that he won't be tagged for the 2008 season. Second, I can't see Samuel wanting to come back to the mess that is going to be the Patriots next year. Yes, they will be a mess. You can't go 18-0, come up short in the Super Bowl but suddenly have a lot of motive to return in '08 and try to accomplish the same task. Third, Samuel wants the big bucks and he wasn't given that by the Pats in '07 (according to Samuel), why would they now?

2. Trade WR Reggie Brown and a 4th round pick to the Detroit Lions for WR Roy Williams. The front office needs to satisfy its players (mainly McNabb and Westbrook) and get them a playmaker WR. Roy Williams looks to be the most reasonable option. Larry Fitzgerald is too much money, Chad Johnson is too much of a locker room risk, and Javon Walker is too injury prone. Also, unlike Johnson, Roy Williams is only 26 years old.

3. Sign Roy Williams to a long-term deal. Roy Williams will be a free agent at the end of the 2008 season. Can we, for once, keep a top wide receiver for more than a year (Stallworth and Owens)?

4. Trade 2008 2nd Round Pick, William Thomas, Jevon Kearse, and Jason Avant for a mid to late-1st round pick. William Thomas has been great on and off the field (great guy) for the Eagles over the years but he's getting up there in age (34 by next season's end). It is doubtful that the Eagles will resign him to a new contract for the 2009 season with all of these lineman in the waiting (Max Jean Gilles, Winston Justice, etc). I think it'd be best to also let Jevon Kearse go. I personally think the Eagles have treated him like garbage. I'm sure he was well enough to play each game but was still benched for most of the games. He sold his house. He's well on the way out of town. I wish him the best of luck to whichever team he goes to.

5. Resign Joselio Hanson, Thomas Tapeh and Sav Rocca.

6. With the two first round draft picks, draft WR DeSean Jackson of California and OT Chris Williams of Vanderbilt. With the third round pick, draft CB Tracy Porter of Indiana. Jackson would give us another playmaker and a great return man. Williams would have a good chance to step in and play right away. If not, the Eagles could move Todd Herremans back to left tackle, opening up a spot for Max Jean Gilles at guard. The Eagles have had way too many injuries in the secondary over the years, Porter would add another corner to what would suddenly become the best in the business (the secondary).

2008 Lineup

Key Free Agent/Trade Additions: Asante Samuel, Roy Williams, and Travis LaBoy

Key Draft Additions: DeSean Jackson, Chris Williams, and Tracy Porter

QB - Donovan McNabb

RB - Brian Westbrook

FB - Thomas Tapeh

WR1 - Roy Williams

WR2 - Kevin Curtis

WR3 - DeSean Jackson

WR4 - Hank Baskett

TE1 - L.J. Smith

TE2 - Brent Celek

LT1 - Todd Herremans

LT2 - Chris Williams

LG - Max Jean Gilles

C - Jamal Jackson

RG - Shawn Andrews

RT1 - Jon Runyan

RT2 - Winston Justice

LE1 - Trent Cole

LE2 - Juqua Thomas

RE1 - Travis LaBoy

RE2 - Victor Abiamiri

DT1 - Brodrick Bunkley

DT2 - Mike Patterson

DT3 - Darren Howard

WLB - Takeo Spikes

MLB - Omar Gaither

SLB - Steward Bradley

BackUp LB1 - Chris Gocong

BackUp LB2 - Akeem Jordan

CB1 - Asante Samuel

CB2 - Lito Sheppard

CB3 - Joselio Hanson

CB4 - Tracy Porter

SS1 - Sheldon Brown

SS2 - Quintin Mikell

SS3 - Sean Considine

FS1 - Brian Dawkins

FS2 - Quintin Mikell

K - David Akers

P - Sav Rocca

KR1/PR1 - DeSean Jackson

KR2/PR2 - Tracy Porter

Top Special Teams Contributors: Quintin Mikell, Darren Howard, Tracy Porter, Chris Gocong, Akeem Jordan, and Sean Considine

Do all of that and you have the 2009 Super Bowl champions or so I hope...

It is unofficially official. The Eagles will not go after Chad Johnson. I can assure you of this. Johnson is looking too much like Terrell Owens. Most recently, Johnson shoved a reporter. I don't care how frustrated or stressed you are, as a professional athlete who is a role model to young kids, you have no excuse for that type of action. Johnson's a ticking time bomb ready to explode. If were a general manager, I wouldn't want anything to do with him.

Chad Johnson won't come to Philly. Get it out of your mind now or you'll be extremely disappointed later on.

From the article:

"Before leaving, Johnson was stopped by a member of the league's media relations department (Michael Lipman) for me and another reporter. I asked Johnson whether he was having a better off-season after venting some of his frustration publicly at the Super Bowl.

Johnson walked off without answering the question. Lipman tried speaking with him again, only to get shoved. The much-bigger Johnson then stared down Lipman before stepping onto a jitney headed toward the players' hotel."

Johnson admitted Thursday on the NFL Network that he has "gotten out of line every now and then." But he added, "What great one doesn't? What great one is not emotional about what he does? What great one does not have passion about what he does? What great one hates losing?

"Find me a great one that doesn't do the same things that I've done in the past and I'll stop playing. Period."

Every day, the chance of the Eagles trading for a superstar wideout is becoming a greater possibility. Donovan McNabb, Brian Westbrook, Jon Runyan, Brian Dawkins, and Takeo Spikes have all asked for another playmaker. The Eagles' FO have to satisfy them.

Chad Johnson is doing everything he can to get himself out of Cincinnati. He has discussed being traded to any team who may contend next year. He even mentioned a potential pairing with Donovan McNabb.

I don't know about the rest of you Eagles fans but this trade rant by Johnson has me thinking that "Ocho Cinco" coming to the City of Brotherly Love would be a bad idea. What's to say he won't be Terrell Owens Part 2? I don't want to take the risk.

Larry Fitzgerald. Now that's a different story. A diva? No chance. I think he'd be a great weapon to the Eagles offense and someone who wouldn't be a distraction in the locker room. I doubt you'd ever hear him complain about getting the ball. He has spent the past couple of seasons opposite to Anquan Boldin.

So...would Larry Fitzgerald be in favor of wearing Eagles midnight green next season? According to audio provided by ProFootballTalk, he would.

Article from ProFootballTalk.com:

"Though Cardinals receiver Larry Fitzgerald wants to stay in Arizona, he told WIP radio on Wednesday that the Philadelphia Eagles are one of four other teams for which he'd be happy to play, if he is traded.

The audio is right here.

It remains to be seen whether the Cardinals will try to trade Fitzgerald. Due to escalators in his contract, he's scheduled to earn salaries of $14.59 million in 2008 and $17.355 million in 2009. That's nearly $32 million over two years, and then he'll hit the open market at only 26 years of age.

The Cardinals could, if they so choose, pay him the money for the next two seasons. But it would then cost more than $20 million to retain his rights via the franchise tag for the 2010 season.

There's no good way out of this for the Cardinals. Even if they want to extend his deal, the price to do so would have to be enormous. He's already in position to earn $30 million between now and September 2009, at which time his full salary for that season would become guaranteed. Thus, anything less than $30 million in guaranteed money as part of a new long-term contract makes no sense.

That same line of thinking applies to any other team, however. If he's traded, he still has a contract that pays him huge money over the next two years. What team would want to give up draft picks for the privilege of having their nuts promptly dropped into a vise?

So it could be that Fitzgerald finishes out the deal, pockets the $30 million, and then lets the market dictate his worth for 2010 and beyond.

Meanwhile, whoever authorized the Cardinals to sign Fitzgerald to a contract with escalators like that needs to be fired. Then again, maybe he already was, after the 2006 season."

Last night, the Flyers beat arguably the best team in the league, the Ottawa Senators, by the score of 6-1. They're 10-1-2 in their last 13 games and every player on the team is contributing. So, is there reason to believe that the Flyers may feel the need to improve? According to the Toronto Sun, Paul Holmgren may be willing to trade Jeff Carter and a 1st Round Draft Pick to the Toronto Maple Leafs for Mats Sundin. I, personally, think it'd be a horrible trade for the Flyers to make. Don't get me wrong, Sundin is a great player. At the moment, he has 20 goals, 32 assists, a +/- of 10 to go along with a NHL second-best 645 face-offs won. But Sundin is 36 years old and a free agent this off-season. Unless, Holmgren has looked into his crystal ball and saw Sundin holding a cup with a Flyers jersey on, he shouldn't trade away one of the Flyers core stars for him. Hopefully, Forsberg decides to make his comeback here instead.

From the article written by Philadelphia Daily News' Ed Moran:

"Forget about the questions of messing up the chemistry of a good team, reshuffling hot lines and combinations that work, or making moves to create space under the cap. If Forsberg says he wants to play and he wants to play here, he will be back.

The quiet word among Flyers management is that this is something they would do without hesitation if they get the chance. Having said that, to date the Flyers have had no contact with either Forsberg or his agent since the Swedish star met with general manager Paul Holmgren for coffee last fall.

The Flyers are waiting to see what happens when Forsberg starts skating again, supposedly this week, and if he accepts an invitation to play for the Swedish national team during a 4-day tournament beginning Feb. 7 and how that goes.

It is expected that if Forsberg feels he can return, the Flyers will be among the teams he will contact.

Unlike other Forsberg stories, this one would have a built-in deadline of Feb. 26, the NHL end date for making trades and freezing rosters."

...

"What happens if Forsberg isn't an option could depend more whether there are any good players available who would help a playoff run - more than a definite need with the Flyers.

They could still use another puckmoving, veteran defenseman or a sniper. But with so many teams so close to each other in points, the market could be tight.

Toronto could be a seller and rumors are heating up that they could be looking to move Mats Sundin. A rumor reported in the Ottawa Sun recently suggested Holmgren would move Jeff Carter and a first-round pick for Sundin."

Any thoughts? Would you want Sundin to come to Philadelphia?

The New England Patriots vs. the New York Giants in Super Bowl 42. Who's going to watch this one? Not me. If I do, it may only be because of the commercials.

Over the last decade, this season has probably been the toughest for any Eagles fan to watch. Not only did we not make the playoffs but our two hated rivals, the Cowboys and the Giants, both had better years. Where is the respect coming from these two teams? Every touchdown, every sack, every interception, there is a player showboating. From the Giants players jumping up in the air as if they were shooting a basketball and yelling "Balla" to the Cowboys players always running into the endzone putting the ball behind themselves, taunting their opponent to try to reach for it. Then, there's always Roy Williams with his famous horse collar tackles.

Let me ask you. When was the last time an Eagles player, excluding O.D. or the so-called "People's Champ" (who was cut after his self-righteous comments), that ran into the endzone and showboated or pronounced himself one of the best in the game? I see so much respect coming from teams like the Eagles, the Packers, the Redskins, and the Colts. When was the last time Brian Westbrook, Kevin Curtis, or Reggie Brown ran into the endzone and started celebrating? Brian Westbrook was so unselfish that he stopped on the one yard line in order preserve an Eagles victory. If the Eagles did go up 17-6, the Cowboys still would have had a snowball's chance in hell to win that game.

I rarely see much of any respect coming from teams like the Cowboys, the Giants, or the Patriots. Yes, I said it, the Patriots. Weren't they once one of the most classy organizations out there? So I thought. Ever say "Hello" to someone, they say "Hi" back, but you know that person either hates your guts or thinks nothing of you. That's how I see the Patriots. You cannot say that Bill Belichick, sporting that annoying devilish smile of his, showed respect by always running up the score. In (nearly) every Patriot, I see too much pride and arrogance.

Throughout this entire season, I thought that justice would finally be served and these disrespectful teams would start to lose but it looks like two of them will be dueling it out for the Lombardi trophy. Too bad ESPN is centered around Boston and New York teams. I'm sure that they'll say this is one of the best Super Bowl match-ups in the history of the NFL. The next two weeks will be torture. Tom Brady this, Eli Manning that. I can't stand either of them. I don't know who the hell I'm going to root for.

I suppose the only positives that comes out of this is that Eagles' front office may finally realize how good this division truly is and spend more money this off-season. Also, if the Giants do lose the Super Bowl, they will most likely have an off-year next season (Super Bowl hangover).

I don't know. Perhaps, I'm wrong and my hate for these teams are blinding my judgment. If anyone else feels the way I do, I'd love to hear what you have to say.

I'm tired of all of this. Steroids this, steroids that. Why is so much time spent ruining the careers of some of the greatest baseball players of all-time and ruining an extremely entertaining decade of baseball? I don't want to know whether or not Roger Clemens, Mark McGwire, or Sammy Sosa took steroids. The 90s are over. We can't replay it. Why focus on it?

How would you feel if a large number of your teammates or opponents were taking steroids? Wouldn't you be inclined to take them to level the playing field? I don't think every one of these players deserves to be accused of using steroids because, no matter what, whether they were or weren't cheating, their careers will be tarnished.

What I would like to see is a focus on steroids in this modern era. Find a way to take it completely out of the game. There's no reason on focusing on the past unless you're going to start doing something productive like taking away championship from teams that had an overwhelming number of players on 'roids. But at this point, that would be the worst thing to do for baseball as it would be extremely unfair to the fans and cities of the teams who won them.

Let it all end! I can't stand turning on ESPN everyday and hearing about it.

The following is my first mock draft at YardBarker.

I'm just a normal fan who finds it fun to speculate who will go to each team and what trades could potentially happen at this year's NFL Draft. All trades are at the bottom (read them before reading the mock).

1. * Cincinnati Bengals (via Miami) - Glenn Dorsey, DT, LSU: There has been much speculation that Bill Parcells will trade down from the first overall pick. I believe it to be true. In this case, the Bengals would be a perfect suitor after recently picking up another 1st Round Pick through trading Chad Johnson and already having a top ten pick. Dorsey would give the Bengals the defensive play-maker, leader that they need. Compared to Warren Sapp, the extremely explosive Dorsey has the ability to disrupt the line of scrimmage and set up plays for the defense, when he isn't making plays himself.

2. St. Louis Rams - Chris Long, DE, Virginia: The O-Line does need some help as evident of how the Rams offense fell apart last year after Orlando Pace went down with a season-ending injury. Although, I think he can give them at least another year to find a replacement OT. The draft this year is loaded with great lineman, so it may be a better idea to grab one in the 2nd Round. The Rams' D is still in great need of defense help, more so than on offense. Chris Long, son of Hall of Famer Howie Long, is one of the safest picks in the draft (low chance of being a bust) and would add to make a promising D-Line that already has the likes of Adam Carriker.

3. * New York Jets (via Atlanta) - Darren McFadden, RB, Arkansas: I think the Falcons may trade down in order to get some extra picks and give someone a shot at McFadden. Looking at the teams close to the Falcons in the draft order, the Jets look most likely to be that team. If I heard it right, the Jets actually would have had the 3rd pick if they would have lost to the Chiefs in the final week of the season. Talk about bad luck. Anyways, McFadden would give the Jets a great running game. Adrian Peterson and Chester Taylor worked. Why wouldn't McFadden and Thomas Jones? With the opposing defenses focused on containing the two RBs, the Jets could open up the passing game for QB Kellen Clemens and make it easier to mold him into a solid NFL QB.

4. Oakland Raiders - Jake Long, OT, Michigan: If Al Davis and the Raiders even want to begin thinking about being an average team, they're going to need to get some real protection up front. JaMarcus Russell will need that time in the pocket to find his target and Justin Fargas (or whoever they put in the backfield) will need that gap to run through. Jake Long gives them that and more. Unlike Robert Gallery, whom the Raiders took with the 2nd Overall Pick many years back, Long is unlikely to turn out to be a bust. Last year, Cleveland took OT Joe Thomas with the 3rd Overall Pick and he did wonders for their offense. Long could potentially do the same for the Raiders.

5. Kansas City Chiefs - Ryan Clady, OT, Boise State: It's hard to imagine that Kansas City, after all the years of being recognized of having the top offensive line in the league, would ever spend a top five pick on a lineman. But Willie Roaf and Will Shields have retired and Brian Waters may only have a few years life in him. Larry Johnson is going to need good protection to get back to putting up huge numbers. Ryan Clady, in my opinion, is by far the second best lineman to Jake Long. He has great size to go along with great athleticism and should light a spark in the Chiefs' offense.

6. * Atlanta Falcons (via NY Jets) - Andre Woodson, QB, Kentucky: While McFadden would give the Falcons a franchise RB, they already have an above average RB in Jerious Norwood. If it wasn't for Bobby Petrino wanting to tank the Falcons season so he could select his former recruit, QB Brian Brohm, Norwood probably would have been able to show what he is really made of, this past season. Instead, aging veteran RB Warrick Dunn got the majority of the carries. The Falcons need that franchise QB as soon as possible. Another year of waiting to find Vick's replacement would mean another year to stall the development of whichever QB they finally select. It'd be a bad decision to go the route of the Dolphins and wait years before ever using a high draft pick on a QB. I'm sure a lot of people disagree with what I'm about to do and that is, have Andre Woodson be the first QB taken in this year's draft. Woodson, while considered to be the last QB taken in the 1st Round because of a potential long development, he is also considered to have the most upside. He reminds me a lot of Donovan McNabb. Great mobility, big arm, and to top it all off, a QB who rarely turnovers the ball. He's also a great leader and steps up big in important games. He had a phenomenal bowl game against Florida State throwing for +350 yards and four touchdowns.

7. New England Patriots (via San Francisco) - James Laurinaitis, LB, Ohio State: This just puts the cherry on the top of the Patriots unbelievable season. I wonder what it is like to be a Boston fan. Talk about spoiled. Not only do the Patriots look like they'll go 19-0 but the Red Sox just won the World Series and the Celtics may soon be the NBA Champions. Every Boston fan I've talked to is arrogant when it comes to sports but hell, I guess I would be too if every team in Philadelphia won the championship at the same time. Laurinaitis…point blank, he is the best linebacker in the draft and the Patriots linebackers are their only possible need for reason that nearly all of them are at or near the end of their career. You could make a case for CB since Asante Samuel may be headed for free agency but no CB in this draft is worth a top ten pick, in my opinion.

This is a little tiring…I think I may cut down the pick by pick evaluation a bit.

8. Baltimore Ravens - Matt Ryan, QB, Boston College: Steve McNair had a great career but his years in the NFL look to be numbered. Once McNair leaves, Kyle Boller is not the answer and neither is Troy Smith and hopefully whoever takes over the Ravens' head coaching job sees that.

9. * Miami Dolphins (via Cincinnati) - Vernon Gholston, DE, Ohio State: After trading down to the 9th Overall Pick, Parcells decides to draft Gholston whom some consider to be a top five pick. He'd be a great replacement for Jason Taylor and the future cornerstone of the defense.

10. New Orleans Saints - Kenny Phillips, S, Miami: The Saints' secondary is in dire need of help. While CB Mike Jenkins would still be available at this spot, I don't see know if he's worth a top ten pick. You can definitely make a case for Kenny Phillips, who you could compare to last year's LaRon Landry.

11. Buffalo Bills - Sedrick Ellis, DT, USC: Ellis would add to a defense who I see becoming one of the best in the league in two or three years.

12. Denver Broncos - Keith Rivers, LB, USC: Moving D.J. Williams to the middle didn't turn out too well. Rivers could allow D.J. to go back to the outside and be groomed to become the future Mike linebacker instead.

13. Carolina Panthers - Brian Brohm, QB, Louisville: It'd be best for the Panthers to move on from Jake Delhomme and start out with someone new. Brohm could be that guy.

14. Chicago Bears - Felix Jones, RB, Arkansas: The Bears were doing a hell of a lot better with the 1-2 punch of Thomas Jones and Cedric Benson. Benson had a horrible season compared to what he was speculated to have. They may want to go back to having one of the best tandems in the league.

15. Detroit Lions - Mike Jenkins, CB, South Florida: While the Lions drastically need an offensive lineman, they'd be smart to get one in the second round as this draft, if I didn't already say this, is loaded with lineman. So, instead, they should try to improve their secondary, whom looked pathetic with the absence of Dre'Bly, with their first round pick.

16. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (via Arizona) - DeSean Jackson, WR, California: Tampa Bay trades up to steal DeSean Jackson from the Vikings. It sure can't hurt to pick a playmaker when you're best wideouts are Joey Galloway and Ike Hilliard. DeSean Jackson is not only a great deep threat but also a great return man that could help the Tampa Bay special teams who had their first return for a TD in franchise history this year.

17. * New York Jets (via Minnesota) - Calais Campbell, DE, Miami: After missing out on DeSean Jackson, Minnesota goes for Plan B and makes a trade to get Laveranues Coles. Calais Campbell would fit well in the Jets' 4-3 defensive scheme.

18. Houston Texans - Sam Baker, OT, USC: The Texans have had one of the worst, if not thee worst, offensive lines in the league for as long as they've been in the league. Hopefully, this is the year the Texans finally turn that light bulb on and decide to draft a lineman.

19. * Miami Dolphins (via Cincinnati via Philadelphia) - Gosder Cherilus, OT, Boston College: Cherilus gives them a talented lineman to protect young QB John Beck.

20. * Arizona Cardinals (via Tampa) - Aquib Talib, CB, Kansas: Talib is thought to be overrated by many "experts". I don't think so and I think he'd be a great addition to a currently average Cardinal secondary.

As you can see, I can't wait to end this thing…pathetic, I know but I'm no Mel Kiper. I'll just give the final twelve picks without any analysis.

21. Washington Redskins - Derrick Harvey, DE, Florida

22. Dallas Cowboys (via Cleveland) - Limas Sweed, WR, Texas

23. Pittsburgh Steelers - Jeff Otah, OT, Pittsburgh

24. Tennessee Titans - Malcolm Kelly, WR, Oklahoma

25. Seattle Seahawks - Jonathan Stewart, RB, Oregon

26. New York Giants - Dan Connor, LB, Penn State

27. Jacksonville Jaguars - Early Doucet, WR, LSU

28. San Diego Chargers - Quentin Groves, DE/LB, Auburn

29. Dallas Cowboys - Antoine Cason, CB, Arizona

30. San Francisco 49ers (via Indianapolis) -