There isn’t one overriding topic at the moment so I’m going to address a handful of things.

First up, my postgame column is up at PE.com. There is a lot of similarity to the DGR, but I always try to mix in a few new points of interest.

* * * * *

One question that a few people have brought up is whether to expect a contract extension with DeSean Jackson. This seemed like a no-brainer in August, but the situation has gotten a bit complicated since then.

Jeremy Maclin has emerged as our best WR this year. Jackson remains the more dynamic weapon, but how to you quantify that? Who do you compare him to when structuring a deal?

Jackson deserves a big deal…but how big? You can’t pay him $10M per season based on what you’re seeing this year. Jackson has a few drops. He ran a sloppy route on Sunday that almost led to an INT. Jackson still impacts games, but he’s not made many impact plays this year. His speed alone scared defenses and coaches.

I do think Jackson has improved some this year. He’s blocked well. He’s been better in the Red Zone. He’s shown a lot of maturity in the way he’s handled himself. DeSean isn’t complaining to the press about the contract situation. He defended the coaches during the losing streak.

I think DeSean likes Andy quite a bit. I know he loves playing with Mike Vick. My guess is that DeSean really wants to stay here. The trick is just finding a dollar amount that works for both sides. I don’t know if that will get done in the next 2 weeks.

* * * * *

Any other Eagles going to get contract extensions?

LG Evan Mathis would be an ideal target, but he signed a 1-year deal and I don’t think you can extend those guys. The rule used to be that you had to wait until the new league year started to give them a new deal. Sam can confirm if I’m crazy or not on this.

Mathis has been a very good addition. He is a terrific LG in Howard Mudd’s system. I’d love to see him kept around so the line can play together for 3 or 4 years. This group is really growing on me.

DT Antonio Dixon is a guy I’d love the team to extend, but he’s currently injured and both sides may want to wait and see how things go.

* * * * *

Jumping back to the OL for a second…Danny Watkins is starting to look like the guy the Eagles thought he would when they drafted him. The critics were brutally hard on Danny this summer. He obviously had some major issues to deal with, but it was never a question of talent. He has that. Danny just adapted to the NFL slower than was hoped.

Danny always kept the right attitude and worked his tail off. That is starting to pay dividends. The difference in him and Kyle DeVan is night and day. DeVan is the savvy veteran who relies on technique to get by. He has serious physical limitations. Danny is gifted. He’s bigger, stronger, and more athletic than DeVan. Danny just has to learn the nuances of playing RG.

He’s made huge strides in the last couple of weeks. He should continue to get better. The Bears will be an interesting test because that will be Danny’s first 4-3 opponent of the year. That should make life easier because he’ll have DT across from him all game instead of LBs moving around and trying to confuse him.

Did the Eagles make the right pick? Who knows. You can debate that in a number of different ways. Bottom line is that Danny is the starting RG and is playing better each week. He is the weakest link on the O-line right now, but that says less about him than it does the others. I think you can make a case that Peters, Herremans, and Mathis could be Pro Bowl guys. Jason Kelce isn’t playing like a rookie. He is truly a unique guy and is the most interesting C I’ve ever seen play for the Eagles.

* * * * *

I’ve gotten a few questions about MLB / next year.

Casey Matthews is a player the team still likes. I don’t know if they see his future at MLB or OLB. They obviously wanted him in the middle this year, but that didn’t work out. They may feel like a full offseason will get him ready for next year. Casey is playing on STs right now. If the team is involved in future blowouts he might get back on the field. Matthews bashers hate to hear this, but it is true…the kid got better each week. He does have a future here. I don’t know if that is as a starter or backup/STer.

Luke Kuechly of Boston College is the draft prospect I’m most excited about. He’s a natural MLB and tackling machine. He’s also a leader. I love the thought of adding a guy like that.

I’m not as high on the big name guys, but that doesn’t mean the Eagles agree with me. They may decide that they do want to get a special guy in there. The Vontaze Burfict fans think the defense would greatly benefit from his attitude and emotion. That stuff is so overrated that it is crazy. Ask 31 NFL teams if they would rather have Ray Lewis, the fiery leader, or Haloti Ngata, the impact DL. Ngata would be the choice of 31 teams. Dawk is a fiery, emotional guy, but Denver’s defense is terrible. Focus on getting the best players. Attitude can help, but isn’t as important as people want to think.

Alabama has a star ILB named Donta Hightower. Bama lists him at 6’4, 260. He might remind you of Jeremiah Trotter. Hightower is an ILB in the base D. He moves to DE in the Nickel/Dime. He has the athletic ability to play 4-3 MLB. He is an impact hitter. He’s okay in coverage. The problem is that Donta is special when he’s allowed to attack on a regular basis. That makes him a better fit for a 3-4 team that will blitz him a lot. I think he’ll have more value to 3-4 teams than to 4-3 teams.

The Eagles could love Notre Dame’s Manti Te’o. He has the size to play MLB. He is athletic enough to cover and play in space. He’s not as reckless as Burfict, but is an intense, physical player. He’s still not a great tackler and that bugs me.

So who would I like if Kuechly isn’t an option? Tough question. There aren’t a ton of good choices. MLB Jerry Franklin of Arkansas is growing on me. MLB JK Shaffer of Cincinnati is growning on me as well.

I haven’t figured out Bobby Wagner from Utah State yet. How much do I like him and is he an OLB or ILB? I watched a bit of Vandy MLB Chris Marve and wasn’t all that impressed with him.

There are some players I’m still working on. Texas MLB Keenan Robinson impressed me in the past. Jake Knott is a Junior at Iowa State. I’ve not seen him at all this year. UNC has a Junior named Kevin Riddick that has been hurt and missed a couple of the games I’ve seen.

I’ve got a lot more research to do. There’s no question that right now Kuechly is my primary target. He’s only a Junior and isn’t a lock to come out. If he does, he won’t be a Top 10 pick. Luke is a MLB at a time when that position isn’t what it used to be. I think he would be more of an early 2nd rounder, which would be perfect with our pick from the Cards.