Well, on last week’s show I said I’d be shocked if the Eagles signed Asante Samuel despite all the talk that it could happen. Consider me shocked. The day before it happened I heard 3 guys at the gym talking about the possible move, and I was about to step in and bet them each $20 it wasn’t gonna happen - thats how much I was convinced there was no chance for it to happen. Luckily, I kept my mouth shut, and saved myself $60 and probably a beating from a couple of meatheads.

While I’m definitely not complaining about getting one of the top free agents on the market, how much does this really help the birds? Especially, for a coach that believes so strongly that the game is won up front, I’m not sure this solves much of the problem. The Eagles did sign DE Chris Clemons (7 sacks in ‘07 for the Raiders) but he’s not an every down DE. They signed the big name free agent at a position where they need more depth (DB). They added depth to a position they need a big name playmaker (DE).

The defense wasn’t all that bad last year, but they didn’t cause turnovers and didn’t get to the quarterback as much as you’d like. The Samuel pick-up likely sends two-time Pro-Bowler Lito Sheppard out the door in a trade. The Eagles’ have answered Donovan McNabb’s plea for playmakers so far - with 16 interceptions over the past two years, Samuel is that. Is there anything to the theory that the Eagles can now say, look we signed a playmaker, so now McNabb can’t accuse them of not gettting help? If this is the extent of the Birds offseason, keep that in mind. The next area to keep an eye on is wide receiver, but that area just got thinner: Cleveland signed Donte Stallworth to a 3 yr- $24 million deal.