polite applause

I forgot to mention this, but the Eagles made a small savvy move last week. They picked up former Pro Bowl linebacker Takeo Spikes and backup quarterback Kelly Holcombe from the Bills in exchange for Darwin Walker.

Why is this good, especially when Walker has been a nice sack guy for them? Several reasons. First, Walker is a nice rusher but a bit undersized. The Eagles played him at tackle to help with their pass rush, but that didn't help against the run. When you have a small defensive end like Jevon Kearse in your regular line, it helps to have bigger tackles to make up for it. Having both of them in at once is not nearly enough mass. Now they can focus on finding better plug tackles to let Kearse and Darren Howard roam free.

Secondly, they really needed an upgrade at outside backer. I thought it was their most obvious need during the offseason. Spikes thought Buffalo was on the rise when he left Cinncinatti a few years ago, but he's been disheartened by their crap (while the Bengals have actually done better). Now that he's on a good team, he'll be happier and hopefully productive.

Third, they were still a tad worrried about McNabb being ready at the start of the season. With Garcia gone (and that's ok, he's not worth that much), Holcombe gives them some experience. If A. J. Feeley struggles, at least they have someone else to try. He was decent in Buffalo and Cleveland, almost good enough to be a starter, but this is waht he's good at: filling in.

So, for one guy that did well but was part of a larger eventual problem, the Eagels got two gusy at spots they needed. Small but smart moves like that are what make good teams.