Mailbag: Ray Edwards, Kolb and Baskett

I received quite a few questions on Twitter and via e-mail last week and didn't get to respond to all of them, so I thought we'd make a post out of it.

Here goes:

@babyfacejp: Do you see the Eagles going after RFA DE Ray Edwards?

The Edwards talk began after Bob Grotz of the Delaware County Daily Times reported that the Eagles were "expected to make a push" to acquire him. However, Jeff McLane of the Inquirer refuted the report yesterday on Twitter, citing a league source, who said the Eagles were not interested.

As I explained earlier this week, finding a pass rusher in the first round who can make an immediate impact will be extremely difficult for the Eagles, if history is any indication. The reason I think you haven't heard much talk about teams going after Edwards is because it's tough to see the Vikings letting him go. Edwards is a restricted free agent, meaning the Vikings could match any offer. If he does sign elsewhere, Minnesota would get a first-round pick in return. But he's only 25 years old, has four years of experience under his belt and is likely entering his prime. Edwards had 8.5 sacks last season, and who can forget his dominating performance against the Cowboys in the divisional round? Guys like that are tough to come by.

@mrskins: What's the best you think the Eagles can get for Kevin Kolb?

A: I've maintained throughout that I can't envision a scenario where Kolb is dealt. It just doesn't make sense. The Eagles have been grooming Kolb for three seasons and obviously like what they've seen. If they give Donovan McNabb an extension, then trading Kolb becomes something you think about. But unless that happens, he's the quarterback of the future. And I mean even if a team offers a first-round pick. The value of having a young QB who the coaching staff believes in, who has been learning the system (especially when you consider the youth and talent at wide receiver) cannot be underestimated. A league source told Jason La Canfora of NFL.com that the Seahawks would have to part with both of their first-round picks to land Kolb. It sounds like a crazy asking price at first glance, but wouldn't really surprise me if that's what the Eagles demanded.

@philly2la: They had Hank Baskett and let him go. What's with the retreads?

Twitter is great. As soon as the news was announced that the Eagles signed Baskett, sarcastic Tweets erupted: Super Bowl! You should not be excited about the Baskett signing. But it's nothing to get worked up about either. They got rid of Reggie Brown last week, which is a good thing, and needed a fourth receiver. Baskett provides size and can play special teams. That's why he's back. In other words, this move is not going to make or break the Eagles' season, so relax. Consider: The Eagles had four wide receivers on the field at the same time for just six plays total in the final two games of the season (Week 17 and the first round of the playoffs).

@jfglass: GM wants McNabb trade? Andy says No! Who wins? Is Kolb the future? Andy loyal to a fault? Price too high? Inquiring minds.

Nice job getting that all in under 140 characters. Here's the thing I don't understand about that Fox report that said Andy Reid and the front office were split on the quarterback situation: Does it matter? Since when does anyone other than Reid call the shots? For years, we've heard Joe Banner, Tom Heckert and Jeffrey Lurie maintain that Reid has the final decision on all football-related issues. That's how it's been. And that's how it will continue to be going forward now that Reid received an extension. So forget about what you hear or what kind of spin is put on a potential McNabb move. Unless the team is all of a sudden shifting power away from Reid, whatever decision is ulitmately made will be on him.

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