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The Eagles announced on Tuesday that they and DT Cullen Jenkins have restructured his contract to remain with the squad in 2012. Philadelphia just signed him last season in training camp to a 5 year, $25 million contract.

The 6'2" 305lbs run stuffer was due a $5 million signing bonus in the upcoming weeks and a cap hit total of $7.75 mill and there was skepticism that the Eagles wouldn't pay it and cut him. Instead both sides have come to an agreement and it's good for both sides.

“We are very excited about having Cullen back on our football team,” said general manager Howie Roseman. “Cullen made an immediate impact for us this year on and off the field. We look forward to a great future together with him in an Eagles uniform.”

Jenkins in his conference call said," I want to be somewhere where i want to be and where they want me. I want the security and it's a great atmosphere. Im happy and want to retire an Eagle."

The ninth year veteran had a solid season in his first year in midnight green and did not change the length of the contract. He is still signed for 4 more seasons until 2015, but we all know that is not guaranteed. In 2011, he recorded 40 total tackles including six for a loss and 5.5 sacks which was sixth best among DT in the NFL.

He is a big anchor in the middle of that front four to get penetration and make plays both in the run and passing game. The Eagles need that physical force with his size and strength in the middle to get pressure on the quarterback and disrupt his rhythm when the oline is focusing on the ends, Jason Babin and Trent Cole. He also clogs those holes in between the tackles when the Eagles are facing those big bruiser backs and is a key along the goaline to make the stuff.

The Eagles would of been foolish to let Jenkins go with no one that can be a three down lineman and be productive consistently. Making sure they got something down was big on their part and to have someone of his caliber is key for this defense to have success next season. This move also opens up cap space for the Eagles to go out and make some deals or extend a few of their own(i.e Desean Jackson, Lesean McCoy)

Jenkins also said that he is "all for helping the team sign players. If me restructuring help them in anyway im glad. We just have to wait and see what they do."

The Eagles now have three defensive tackles under contract for next season. They have Jenkins, Mike Patterson, and Cedric Thornton. Antonio Dixon is a restricted free agents and is expected to get a low tender by the Eagles after suffering a season ending bicep injury late last season. And Trevor Laws and Derek Landri are both unrestricted free agents. Landri looks to be brought back and perform well last year in a backup role and adds some depth to this dline rotation. Looks like Laws will be the odd man out.

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It’s another year of Eagle fans saying the classic line of, “There is always next year.” The 2011 Eagles season was a year that the organization and the fans would like to forget with high expectations that ended in disappointment. The only thing that hurts more than not winning it all last year is another NFC East team adds a trophy to their case and brings the division total up to 12, none by the Eagles. The Eagles lack one key factor that held them back and that is elite QB play and leadership. But there a few things they have to do this offseason to close that gap between them and the best in the NFC. Here is my 2012 Eagles Offseason Wish List and yes i know its probably very similar to many Eagles fans but here is why!

1. Sign G Evan Mathis- A unit that people were down upon going into last season was the offensive line but as the season progressed so did the oline. They finally picked things up and played well as they finally developed some chemistry. It’s not that easy to get five players to be on the same page at once and the 6’5” 296lbs G was one of the top lineman for the Eagles last season. He was the only piece that stood out from the interior line. He opens some big holes for Lesean McCoy in the running game and was solid protecting Vick. Profootballfocus.com voted him the best left guard in 2011. He was definitely a surprise and a solid addition last year. They don’t need trying to find a replacement and inserting different pieces until they find what they like. If they feel they are close as they are, they can’t ruin the chemistry and continuity that this unit already has and need to build upon last year into this upcoming season.

2. Find an Experience Backup QB- No one has the confidence in the Eagles franchise QB Michael Vick to play a full 16 game season and stay healthy doing it. He is a competitor and wants to put the team on his back to win the game, but he has to realize certain situations and to avoid getting hit. He is too fragile and the durability isn’t there. He has only played a full season once in his career. Last year the Eagles felt they had their guy with Vince Young and Mike Kafka to do the job. There were five games where Vick did not play or finish the game and the Eagles went 1-4 in those games. QB play is huge and Young and Kafka showed some light but were too inconsistent and don’t have the mechanics to be a reliable backup. The Eagles need a veteran presence that fits their system and come in right away if needed to make the plays to help win football games. Right now the list is thin but maybe a Jason Campbell who has experience starting in this league but injuries and surprises ended up with him being a backup. Or maybe Eagles bring back an all time great with Donovan Mcnabb since he is looking for work. But his best years are behind him and I don’t know he could handle that role. But the Eagles have to do something because last year’s backup qb play was horrendous.

3.Extend Lesean McCoy’s Contract- The Eagles don’t have a good track record with Drew Rosenhaus high profile clients. We all know what happen with T.O. Last year we saw the saga with Desean Jackson and his quest for a new contract which his status for him coming back to the Birds in 2012 is up in the air. The one thing Eagles need to do before the start of training camp is getting their offensive weapon Lesean McCoy locked up long term. He is heading into the final year of his rookie deal and we saw what he can do on the football field. He is a special talent that we haven’t seen since maybe Barry Sanders with his elusiveness and cutback speed to the outside to make the big plays for this offense. He had a franchise record breaking season to remember with 1600 total yards and 20 total touchdowns. He will be 24 by the start of the season, he is in his prime and the Eagles can’t afford any distractions in the locker room or with McCoy that can affect this football team on the field. He is what makes this offense run and they can’t risk any more disaster or losing him to free agency the following year. McCoy has definitely earned his money and it’s time to get the man paid.

4. Upgrade At Linebacker And Safety- The Eagles D struggled very much throughout the season last year and you saw right away the weaknesses they had. Almost every week you would see a safety running behind an open receiver for the TD or constant miss tackles that allowed opposing team offenses to pick up more yards for the first down. It was the same theme almost every single week. The Eagles have struggled finding a replacement from when Brian Dawkins left to sign to with the Broncos and well since Andy Reid has been in Philadelphia they really haven’t valued the LB position. And it shows when they are throwing 6^th and 7^th round undersized linebackers as starters when realistically are role players and special teamers. Your best linebacker with Jamar Chaney is recovering from a herniated disk. The Eagles like the wide-9 technique but you need solid linebackers that have quick reaction to fill the gaps and make the play. Also need good coverage safeties just incase your pass rush isn't getting to the quarterback. Almost all the top defenses and elite teams have both.

Everyone wants them to go out and take someone in the first round like Boston College linebacker Luke Kuechly but I don’t know if I trust this front office or the assistant coaches to make the right decision and develop this kid into the star every projects him to be. But they might have to go down that avenue since the FA linebacker class is weak or guys that don’t fit their scheme. The leaders of the bunch are Lions LB Stephen Tulloch and Falcons LB Curtis Lofton. Both are expected back with their teams. You then have D’Qwell Jackson from the Browns and London Fletcher. Both are either injury prone or aging. As for safety they are high on Nate Allen and Kurt Coleman. They hope that 2^nd year man Jaiquawn Jarrett can step in and contribute but would still like that veteran presence in this group that can mold the young guys into solid players for this ball club.

5.Sign A Built, Physical Receiver- We all know that the Eagles are planning to franchise tag WR Desean Jackson, reasoning why he isn’t on the list, but the Eagles really need to look into getting a more physical, taller receiver that can be a red-zone threat. We talk about this every season. It’s like us telling Andy to run the ball more. The numbers don’t lie that they have struggles in the red-zone. They only converted 51.5% on their trips for six. That is unacceptable and can’t win football games if kicking field goals. They have tried to develop WR Riley Cooper into that role but he has been a bust. So why not go out and get a guy that you know can fill that role, like Plaxico Burress. He will be 35 years old and had a down year with the Jets but still contributed with eight TDs last season. He might not be a threat from 20 to 20 but inside the red zone he still causes havoc for defenses with his 6’5” 236lbs built for a CB to cover. And with the amount of fire power the Eagles have on offense already, this addition would make it that much more lethal for everyone to get involved. Burress wants to come here and the Eagles wanted him last season but they didn’t want to get into a bidding war. He just has to learn to accept his role for what it is. If the Eagles don’t go out and get him then either draft or FA depending on what they do with Desean Jackson.

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The Eagles offseason is finally underway after the conclusion of the 2011 NFL season with another NFC East opponent adding another championship to their trophy case. The big question for the Eagles heading into free agency is whether to retain WR Desean Jackson or let him walk.

Last season was filled with distraction and drama for the Pro Bowl wideout from questioning his effort in games to the benching against the Cardinals for being late for practice. He just played the final season of his rookie deal and the tough thing is what kind of value do you pay the man.

The undersized 5'10" speedy receiver is a one trick pony that defenses have figured out how to take out of a game. But he adds that value to the offense as a decoy to open the rest of the offense up in the passing game since defenders focus on Jackson. He also is a weapon in the return game in games where field position is key.

He doesn't deserve number one receiver money but somewhere in the ball park possibly of Santonio Holmes and Santana Moss ($35-$50 mill). He was 39 yards away from his third consecutive 1000 yard season and 28 total tds in his career. It just concerns with his character issues if he gets unhappy once again if the same actions continue.

So it is expected that the Eagles will franchise tag him and possibly try to move him for other pieces. I love Desean and sort of disagree with that mentality and possibly that decision because what he does bring to the table with his big play ability and speed but he isn't a complete receiver and the Eagles can find someone in the draft with the same explosiveness but more physical and built. A guy that isn't afraid to go across the middle to make the catch and get yards after the catch. And someone that isn't so fragile that he is one hit away from a career ending injury. So who do the Eagles go after?

We will see what exactly happens but according to speculation and reports the Eagles could be again interested in the services of Plaxico Burress. As im open to the idea of bringing Burress in here he still doesn't fill that void and playmaking ability that D-Jack brought to this offense. The Super Bowl winning WR only recorded 45 catches, 612 yards in his first season back in the NFL with the Jets. He didn't eclipse 100yds once last year. But the key is the eight touchdowns he was able to bring down compare to Jackson's five.

I would be ok with Burress as a number three wide receiver and if they got him for the right price. He does bring that big physical red zone threat that the Eagles have been trying to develop with receivers for years no. The Eagles defentialy need the help as they only converted 51.5% of their redzone trips for six. But he will be 35 years old when the season starts next year and who knows what exactly he has left. Receivers at that age are normally off the map and out of the league but with his size, all you have to do is throw it up to him and will most likely come down with it. So I would give him a shot if he understands his role and for the right price.

He just wouldn't be an upgrade or an improvement to what we would get from Jackson so if the Eagles plan to move on from "Action Jackson" then they better have a plan B to bring someone that is just as important if not more to this offense and that scares a defense as much as Desean did. We know how much the Eagles wanted Burress last season but he took the highest offer from the Jets and we know how the Eagles don't like getting into bidding wars. This free agency they might get in a similar situation with other teams but hopefully for their sake they come out on top.

Desean Jackson               vs           Plaxico Burress

2011: 58 rec for 961yds and 4 TDs                  2011: 45 rec for 612yds and 8 TDs

2010: 47 rec for 1,056yds and 6 TDs               2008: 35 rec for 454yds and 4 TDs

2009: 62 rec for 1,156yds and 9 TDs               2007: 70 rec for 1,025yds and 12 TDs

Career 100+ receiving games: 13 games         22 games total. 23 game drought

22 of 30 TDs are 30yards or more                   63 Total Tds

2x Pro Bowler                                                No Pro Bowl Selections