Key depth chart battles have been flushing out some winners. One uncontested battle was for backup to Donovan McNabb. It was clear from the get-go that the job was QB Kevin Kolb's to lose. Kolb is a virtual lock to be the backup to #5, and that is important considering that McNabb has had difficulty playing in all 16 games as of late.

On to the running backs, new Eagle RB Lorenzo Booker, who was the Eagles' target in last year's draft when he was selected ahead of them by the Miami Dolphins - is the clear backup to RB Brian Westbrook. The Eagles had selected RB Tony Hunt out of Penn State in that same 2007 draft - but they clearly favored Booker. Booker is basicly a Westbrook clone, though younger and with less miles. Granted - Westy has only really gotten that extra tread on him the last couple seasons (prior to that he was a complimentary back). Booker is also being looked at as the primary kick returner (punt returner duties go to WR DeSean Jackson). The Eagles will likely keep Correll Buckhalter to round out the running backs, saying goodbye to RB/PR Reno Mahe in the process. RB Ryan Moats will also likely find himself on the outside looking in. Not sure yet where this leaves Tony Hunt.

The top-2 receivers remain Kevin Curtis and Reggie Brown. Filling in from there, the number three looks to be Jason Avant. After that the likely candidate for the fourth spot is Hank Baskett. Greg Lewis is a known quantity - but they have alot to sort out with the rest of the receivers. Those battles will be fought in the coming weeks.

On to the contract distractions... Seems as if super-agent Drew Rosenhaus has decided to take his client's plight to YouTube. Ol' Drew posted a video claiming poverty for oft-injured CB Lito Sheppard. The Eagles, of course - went out to get a replacement for Lito, figuring that they would be able to trade away a pro-bowl corner, but the offers were really low - and teams were wary of the fact that Lito has had problems staying healthy the last few years. I really don't see the Eagles getting a new deal for Lito - so the only happy ending here for him would be a trade (nothing seems to be happening here, though). The bright side for the Eagles is one heckuva defensive backfield... Asante Samuel, Lito Sheppard, Sheldon Brown... Ah!

RB Brian Westbrook (down with the flu and strep throat) is not happy with his current contract. Nobody (including him) saw his breaking out of the last couple of years. Yeah - his extension is only a couple years old - and maybe does deserve to be reviewed - BUT - he is not worth LT2 type money. He's not a young guy anymore either - so I can see why he wants this done sooner rather than later. This may get ugly!

The newest member of this club is Pro-Bowl OG Shawn Andrews. Publicly, the rumor is that he is battling depression - saying he was held up at gunpoint which has changed his perspective on life (for the worse). Privately - it seems as if he wants more money, having also "out-performed" his contract. The reality is probably somewhere in-between (how can there be an in-between on those two?). He was never a fan of the brutal conditions of training camp, so the popular opinion is that he will magicly feel better and report when training camp battles are over. We'll see on that one.