12/04/2008

End of an era is near



By Tim McManus

The evidence is beginning to mount.

Piece by piece the picture is filling in, and now that it is starting to come into focus, reveals that the 2009 Eagles will look radically different barring a miracle stretch run.

Another piece fell into place today. When soon-to-be free agent Tra Thomas was asked by Jody Mac and Harry Mayes if he had hopes of returning to the Eagles next season, he said there have been no talks. He went on to say that there could be "drastic changes" if the season ends in disappointment.

Drastic changes might just equal youth movement.

Consider: Not only is Thomas a free agent, but so are fellow lynchpins Jon Runyan and Brian Dawkins. It is possible, if not likely, that all three may be purged.

Couple that with the fact that Donovan McNabb wants to sit down with the Eagles brass, as he revealed on Thanksgiving, to discuss his future at the end of the season. How is he going to feel if his starting tackles aren't coming back?

Will his opinion even matter, considering he will cost next-to-nothing against the cap if exiled?

While fans clamored for immediate upgrades, management continued to trade out of the first round and stockpile picks. Could it be for an offensive rebuilding project?

Smart money says yes.

A loss to the Giants Sunday, and that picture may become clearer still.

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