After taking a few days to look at the Eagles schedule I’ve heard pessimists say 7-9 and optimists say 11-5. I’m gonna fall right smack in the middle at 9-7 (maybe 10-6) with the roster as it stands now. If they swing something major like a trade for Chad Johnson (keep dreaming) then I’d be inclined to jump towards the 11-5 mark. But here’s a brief breakdown:

The Birds should go .500 in the division whether its 2 W’s against the Redskins and 1 against the Giants or a W vs all three division team - but regardless the Eagles should end up 3-3 in the NFC East. That leaves us with 6 wins, 3 losses and a toss up…

The other 6 Wins

Week 1 vs St. Louis - Everyone’s “sleeper” team from last season never woke up and managed only three wins. An early season injury to Stephen Jackson sure didn’t help, but that definitely wasn’t their only problem. The Eagles should be able to win the season opener at home.

Week 4 at Chicago - Talk about a team in disarray. Things have been bad for the Eagles since their Super Bowl run, but not as bad as DA Bears. Brian Urlacher denied rumors of threatening retirement if Chicago didn’t pay him more, but the fact thats even out there tells you all you need to know. Well that and Rex Grossman and Kyle Orton will be competing for the starting QB spot.

Week 8 vs. Atlanta - Andy Reid is money coming off a BYE week, plus Atlanta is in complete rebuild/makeover their image mode.

Week 11 at Cincinnati - If the Bengals refuse to trade Chad Johnson it could be Philadelphia circa 2005 in Cinci this season. If they do trade Ocho Cinco, they’re missing one hell of a receiver and getting rid of one of the few guys on the team who hasn’t been arrested in the last few years. Johnson’s teammate and one of the Bengals repeat offenders, Chris Henry said the other day the team would be better off without Johnson.

Week 12 at Baltimore - It seems like when a coach leaves the Eagles he usually does pretty well against them (see Steve Spagnuolo, Giants), but John Harbaugh has his work cut out for him in B-More. His special teams/defensive background isn’t gonna do much for a team who’s biggest problem (even when they won the Super Bowl) has been its anemic offense. With Steve McNair’s retirement, Kyle Boller looks to be the opening day starter, and based on his one season in Miami, I don’t think offensive coordinator Cam Cameron is gonna work any miracles in his first season.

Week 13 vs Arizona (Thanksgiving) - Can you really blame Matt Leinart for being a Dude and partying it up with hot college girls in a hot tub? Are you telling me you wouldn’t be doing the same thing if you were him? I mean except for the whole he’s got a kid thing I don’t see the big deal. Being a Dead Beat Dad makes him a little less cool I guess. At the same time though, he hasn’t really proven anything in the pros, and if he doesn’t have a break out season this year, he may as well enjoy the perks of being an NFL QB while he can.

The other L’s

vs. Pittsburgh - Apparently Pittsburgh fans HATE Philadelphia, its fans, and everything that comes with it. As a Philadelphia fan, I just kind of shrug…Um ok? I was happy for the Steelers and Bill Cowher when they won, I don’t really see Pittsburgh as a rival. I’m trying to think what the equivalent would be as a Philly fan and the closest thing I can come up with would be if I hated Baltimore or Washington DC (hating Boston and New York are justified). And how could I hate a city that brought me The Wire and the first stop of every Preakness weekend?

at Seattle - A cross country trip, always a tough place to play and the Seahawks always just seem to come out on top when they face off with the Eagles. Mike Holmgren seems to have his former pupil’s number.

vs. Cleveland - DON’T SLEEP ON THE BROWNS. Cleveland is going to be a very good football team this season. Braylon Edwards and Donte Stallworth are a very good a 1-2 WR combo and (maybe a half step below Randy Moss/Wes Welker). Derek Anderson has to prove he can put together another solid season, but with those two targets he should be able to. And Jamal Lewis gives them a force in the backfield. Too many weapons for the Birds.

The toss up

at San Francisco- a cross country trip sandwiched between a division game with Washington and a BYE week, I can just see the Birds coming out flat for this one. After a few years of implementing his system and his #1 QB (Alex Smith), this should be the year that Mike Nolan and Co. make some waves by the Bay. But if the Eagles have their act together, they could come in, eat another young QB for breakfast and head back to Philly for the week 7 BYE as good as 4-2.

For now we’ll leave you with that dates and times, but we’ll give our initial thoughts about the Birds and their opponents in the coming weeks…

Week 1, Sunday Sept. 7 vs. St. Louis, 1 p.m., FOX
Last season: 3-13 – last in NFC West.

Week 2: Monday Dec. 15 at Dallas, 8:30 p.m., ESPN
Last season: 13-3 – first in NFC East.

Week 3: Sunday Sept. 21 vs. Pittsburgh, 4:15 p.m., CBS
Last season: 10-6 – first in AFC North

Week 4: Sunday Sept. 28 at Chicago, 8:15 p.m., NBC
Last season: 7-9 – last in NFC North

Week 5: Sunday Oct. 5 vs. Washington, 1 p.m., FOX
Last season: 9-7 – third in NFC East

Week 6: Sunday Oct. 12 at San Francisco, 4:15 p.m., FOX
Last season: 5-11 – third in NFC West

WEEK 7: BYE

Week 8: Sunday Oct. 26 vs. Atlanta, 1 p.m., FOX
Last season: 4-12 – last in NFC South

Week 9: Sunday Nov. 2 at Seattle, 4:15 p.m., FOX
Last season: 10-6 – first in NFC West

Week 10: Sunday Nov. 9 vs. N.Y. Giants, 8:15 p.m., NBC
Last season: 10-6 – second in NFC East

Week 11: Sunday Nov. 16 at Cincinnati, 1 p.m., FOX
Last season: 7-9 – third in NFC North

Week 12: Sunday Nov. 23 at Baltimore, 1 p.m., FOX
Last season: 5-11 – last in NFC North

Week 13: Thursday Nov. 27 vs. Arizona, 8 p.m., NFL Network
Last season: 8-8 – second in NFC West

Happy Thanksgiving.

Week 14: Sunday Dec. 7 at N.Y. Giants, 1 p.m., FOX

Week 15: Monday Dec. 15 vs. Cleveland, 8:30 p.m., ESPN
Last season: 10-6 – second in AFC North
Week 16: Sunday Dec. 21 at Washington, 1 p.m., FOX

Week 17: Sunday Dec. 28 vs. Dallas, 1 p.m., FOX

The NFL draft is just over two weeks away, and for Eagles fans, its the most anticipated draft in recent memory. Birds fans want a playmaking wideout or at least an impact defensive end, but still know in the back of their heads they’re 50-50 to see an offensive lineman don the midnight green at the 19th spot. If Donovan McNabb thought he had it bad when he got booed on draft day, he might want to listen in if Philly drafts another O-lineman. Suffice it to say, the Eagles representatives in the stands won’t be happy. A couple scenarios:

- the Eagles package Lito Sheppard to trade up for one of the headline defensive ends like Vernon Golston (OSU) or Derrick Harvey(UF) (Miami isn’t gonna trade that top pick, and they’re all but assured to take DE Chris Long). We know that Asante Samuel is going to start at left corner, and at least from what Andy Reid says, we don’t know whether Sheldon Brown and Lito will split time, or if Andy will use Lito as a 3rd DB. Based on how this team operates, it wouldn’t make much sense to have a Pro-Bowl corner as a part-timer and to be making starter’s money. But I also thought there was no chance in hell they would pay $11 million/yr for a defensive back (Samuel), so at this point who knows. What we do know is that the phone started ringing off the hook with teams asking about Lito the day Samuel signed.

- the Eagles stay put and draft a receiver like Devin Thomas (MSU), Malcolm Kelly (Oklahoma), or a receiver/returner like DeSean Jackson (Cal). Thomas could give McNabb that big target in the redzone; Kelly could also be a factor in the redzone as he’s good on the sideline and across the middle, but he also can stretch the field, and Jackson is lightning quick and arguably the best receiver in the draft. The issue with drafting a receiver is that the Eagles offensive system is so complex and whether or not the player thinks they have it down, Andy Reid doesn’t seem to trust that they do as he just doesn’t seem to play rookies. I’ve said it all offseason - you want to draft a player that can make an impact this coming season. If they draft a wideout and he’s gonna sit on the bench then don’t draft a wideout this early.

- Andy Reid once again drafts an offensive lineman, Jeff Otah (Pitt), Chris Williams (Vandy), Branden Albert (UVA). One thing we do know, any of these kids are gonna get booed off the Garden stage if the Eagles draft them. Make no mistake, the clock is ticking on Jon Runyan and William Thomas, the Eagles offensive tackles. Also, left guard was a bit of a problem last year. So moving forward, you could understand why the Eagles take an offensive lineman early and look out for their future. But the fans don’t wanna see this, and it doesn’t exactly answer McNabb’s call for playmakers. If they’re in it to win it NEXT YEAR, then the Eagles need to hold off on drafting on O-lineman this early.

A deep secondary wouldn’t be the worst thing in the world for the ‘Birds. Defensive backs Samuel, Brown, Sheppard, and recently re-signed Joselio Hanson, coupled with safeties Brian Dawkins, J.R. Reed, and Quinton Mikell, and the Eagles are gonna be tough to throw on. If they hang onto Sheppard, Brown can spell an aging Dawkins who missed a lot of time with injuries last season. They still need another playmaking pass rusher opposite Trent Cole, as the Giants showed that a fierce defensive rush can win a Super Bowl. While everyone concentrated on the pass rush (and they should have - the d-line should have won the Super Bowl MVP as a unit) everyone forgets that, hey they also have a game-changing wide receiver in Plaxico Burress, and David Tyree made a play that you couldn’t dream of any of these current receivers making. The draft can get the Eagles a playmaking Defensive End if the cards fall right. As far as an impact WR, they won’t get someone who can help them next year in this draft. Don’t get your hopes up, but Chad Johnson is still not happy in Cinci and he’s still demanding a trade. And, the Bengals defense was 26th in passing yards allowed per game, and 29th in passing TD’s allowed. Sounds like they could use a Pro-Bowl defensive back.

We’re gonna take a break from football as the tournament gets underway and get some March Madness thoughts out there and we’re gonna get right to it:

East

In what looks to be the toughest region of the tournament, I’m going chalk and taking the Tar Heels to come out. I thought Notre Dame would be dangerous as a #3 but as a #5 and with a UNC-ND sweet 16 showdown looming, it’ll be a bit too much for the Irish. But it’ll be a great matchup to watch Harangody and Hansborough go at down low.

The St. Joe’s Hawks can probably get past Oklahoma in the first round, but with this team who knows. They haven’t been able to close teams out all year, and until the A-10 tournament had struggled down the stretch - although they did beat Xavier twice in the last eight days.

LOVING Louisville as a sleeper in the East. The Cardinal were hotter than Rick Pitino’s white suit in February before losing to Georgetown in the last game of the season, and Pitt in OT in the Big East tournament. Louisville is completely healthy and don’t be surprised if they end up in the Final Four.

Tennessee will face off with Louisville in what should be a great game, but if Chris Lofton has an off game, it becomes really hard for TU to overcome that. Work in Pitino’s tough press and defense and I like the Cardinal to win another tough sweet 16 showdown in the East.

Midwest

Kansas should get through the first two rounds pretty easily, but could face a test against either Clemson or Vandy in the sweet 16. I like the Jayhawks to get to the Elite 8 before losing to Georgetown.

Villanova, if they shoot like they’ve shown they can, they’ll advance. But I’m gonna say they’re too young and too inconsistent to get it done this year.

Vandy is another team thats inconsistent, and so while I’m not jumping on the Siena upset bandwagon, I’m liking Clemson to knock off Vandy in the second round and also saying don’t sleep on Clemson to give Kansas a run for its money.

Here’s your upset special…and I tell you this after telling you first that yes, I picked Bucknell over Kansas a few years back. Cal -St Fullerton over Wisconsin. CSF loves to run, and the Badgers love to matchup in the half court. Completely contrasting styles and if Cal-St is able to get out and run, watch out.

OJ Mayo and his supporting cast top Michael Beasley and his lack of a supporting cast.

Georgetown survived some close calls this year, so why stop now. The Hoyas and their dominant defense come out of the Midwest and get to the Final Four. If their 3-point shooters are on, forget about it.

South

I don’t like that Memphis misses all those free throws, but I also don’t see who’s gonna beat them and I’ll go with Coach Cal to make it to the Final Four.

Look out for a hot Temple team to make a run to the Sweet 16. They’re playing great ball and if they can get past Michigan St, Pittsburgh is gonna be completely out of gas after their run in the Big East tournament. I saw a team with a shortened bench struggle down the stretch and then get hot and win the Big East tourney over four straight days (Syracuse ‘06). It was a remarkable run but they had nothin left for the NCAA tourney and lost in the first round. Pitt gets past Oral Roberts but doesn’t make it out of the first weekend.

Sleeper: If Marquette gets hot they could be dangerous, but with a second round matchup looming against Stanford and the Lopez brothers, its a matchup nightmare for the Golden Eagles. Marquette was 1-5 against Big East big men Thabeet, Harangody, Padgett, and Hibbert this season. Expect the same against Stanford.

I like the Cardinal to make it to the Elite 8 before falling to Memphis. I love Augustine for Texas (shades of Jameer Nelson) but Rick Barnes couldn’t get it done with Durant so what makes you think he’ll get it done without him. Stanford tops the Longhorns in the Sweet 16.

West

If you’re looking for a sleeper in the West look no further than Connecticut. Thabeet v Love in the Sweet 16 could be something else, and the Huskies can match up talent wise with anyone. The problem with UCONN is their youth and they can lose their composure too easily. They’ll give the Bruins a game though.

The bottom half of the West I hate. Xavier looked horrible in three games against St. Joe’s and Temple. Georgia is out of gas. Bob Huggins (West Virginia) has been to one sweet 16 in the last nine years, he always gets knocked out early. Arizona was lucky to get in. Which brings me to Duke. I hate Duke but I’ve gotta give them the best chance to meet UCLA in the Elite 8 in Phoenix. But the Bruins come out on top and march on to San Antonio.

Final Four

Three #1’s not exactly original. I like Carolina’s athleticism to top Georgetown. I think they’ll be able to get up and down the floor and force the Hoyas out of their strong half court game on both ends. And the one I keep going back and forth with - Memphis and UCLA. I’m gonna go with Memphis. Knock ‘em if you want for being in Conference USA but they played a ridiculous non-conference schedule. But I’m feeling Carolina to knock them off in the title game as Roy Williams gets to let out another good cry after winning his second championship in four seasons.

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.