With less than 24 hours to go...

With free agency approaching in less than 24 hours (unless of course it is delayed yet again) the Eagles are poised to strike as the clock hits 12:01 AM on Thursday. Philadelphia currently sits nearly 14 million dollars under the current salary cap of 94.5 million. If a new CBA is passed by the owners in Dallas Wednesday the league cap will increase to approximately 105 million dollars. Either way, the Eagles are one of the few teams in the league that can essentially spend what they please in free agency.

If no CBA extension is reached between the players and owners, many "big name" players are subject to become cap casualties, thus making the free agent crop that much more talented for potential buyers. In addition to this, names such as Pro Bowl Centers Lecharles Bentley and Kevin Mawae, LB Shawn Barber, QB Jeff Garcia, and RB Mike Anderson are just some of many names reportedly drawing interest from the Eagles as free agency approaches.

Also on the Eagles radar has to be former Redskin All-Pro Lavar Arrington, who told a Washington radio station Monday that he wants to remain in the NFC East, but would never play for Dallas. Interesting. Pro Bowl LB Jeremiah Trotter was a former teammate of Arrington's in Washington and has presumably mentioned the idea of giving Arrington a look. At this point, the Eagles signing Arrington would be a longshot. Still, it's an intriguing thought for a team that is in desperate help of playmakers at LB.

Many people have asked me recently how I see things shaking out for the Eagles in free agency. I'm not sure why, I don't have any real sources. Still, here is my two cents on how this thing will shake out:

What Will Happen

The Eagles will try to sign Center Lecharles Bentley
The 26 year-old Bentley is a rising star in this league, already making 2 Pro Bowls in 4 seasons with the Saints. Bentley played guard at Ohio St. and was ultimately switched back to his natural position with the Saints, but he has also showed the ability to play guard at a high level as well. The Eagles are rumored to be hot on Bentley, but beware, no words of commitment of have from the agent or player.

The Eagles will add Jeff Garcia as a backup QB.
This has been widely speculated and it makes sense. Garcia gives the Eagles stability at backup quarterback should McNabb go down for a game or two. Look for Koy Detmer to be cut and the Mike McMahon experiment to come to an end.

The Eagles Will Sign Shawn Barber
It's been speculated that they are interested in bringing back the former Eagle. He is coming off of two injury plagued seasons and his best years are obviously behind him. Don't be surprised if they do bring him back, but I just don't see it happening.

What Should Happen

The Eagles Should Sign Will Witherspoon
Forget Lavar Arrington, he will probably demand too much on the open market after already forfeiting 4 million dollars just to reach free agency. While Witherspoon will also cost a pretty penny, the young linebacker is one of the league's rising stars on defense. Witherspoon is a linebacker who is solid against the run and above average in coverage. He would help the Eagles defense tremendously.

The Eagles Should sign David Givens
Antwaan Randle El is going to cost too much for a guy who caught less than 40 passes and only 1 TD in 2005. While his play making ability would be welcomed, the Eagles would be better suited with the consistent Givens that will probably demand slightly less on the open market.

The Eagles Should Make a Play at Javon Walker
Reggie Brown is going to be a very good wide receiver in this leage, but he needs help on the other side. Todd Pinkston, Greg Lewis, & Co. are simply not good enough and Walker wants out of Green Bay. The Eagles have liked Walker since the 2002 draft when they strongly considered picking him.