Well for starters, it can’t be that hard. The Eagles haven’t had any players arrested recently (just the coach’s sons). In 2008 the Birds will be an angry team looking to get back on top of the NFC East. The defense will have to improve some but just for a second allow yourself to daydream about how the Eagles would play with #85 in midnight green. Downtown Reggie Brown isn’t exactly turning out to be the #1 receiver we had hoped and having the elusive Kevin Curtis as a #2 is always a great Plan B.

Before we get too excited let’s just assess the facts and even see if this is possible. Donovan McNabb publicly pleaded for playmakers on his blog. Brian Westbrook backed him up. Chad Johnson says he wants to play for a contender. As an Eagles fan it would appear that these pieces could form to a great season in 2008 next year for the Birds. Ocho Cinco would definitely qualify as a playmaker, and he would definitely take pressure off McNabb and possibly even more pressure off Brian Westbrook who was clearly the Eagles most valuable offensive weapon last year.

Let’s review the negatives.

1. If a deal was worked out the Eagles would again have to deal with the douche bag that is Drew Rosenhaus.
2. Chad Johnson is only 6′1″. Now I’m a 5′9″ hockey player who probably couldn’t jump high enough to high five Johnson himself, but in the NFL you need height at the WR position. We saw how easy it was all year for Eli Manning to just toss the ball up in the same zip code as 6′5″ Plaxico Burress and he would most likely come down with it.
3. That’s pretty much all I can think of.

Okay, now the positives…

1. HE’S CHAD JOHNSON
2. In 2006 he signed an extension with the Bengals that pays him $35.5 million until 2010. For a player of his magnitude that isn’t too bad.
3. Johnson holds the following records in the Bengals organization:
   • Most receiving yards in a season (1,440)
   • Most receiving yards all-time
   • Most receptions
   • Most receiving yards in a game (260)
   • Most seasons with over 1,000 receiving yards (6)
   • Most touchdown receptions in a game (3, tied with several other players)
4. He has six consecutive years of 1,000+ receiving yards.
5. Between he, Brian Westbrook and Kevin Curtis the offensive game will be wide open.
6. At 30 years of age he still has some good years ahead of him.
7. Obviously the organization would be answering the requests of their #1 QB and pro-bowl running back.
8. His presence in the locker room will mean we don’t have to hear about Andy Reid’s kids as the only exciting thing happening within the organization.
9. With Johnson in the lineup we wouldn’t have to question the Eagles receiving core every week.
10. Not only could we be entertained by a high level of offense but we would see more interesting touchdown celebrations. Johnson said on an interview with Mike and Mike in mid-January that he actually puts a certain amount of money aside to account for the fines that he will almost surely get slammed with for his endzone antics.

Well I think the ‘pros’ slightly outweigh the ‘cons’, but why should Johnson come here? Why not just give the Patriots another unbelievable receiver? What the Eagles front office will have to do beginning at the free agency period is improve their team in all facets of the game like their players pleaded for them to do. Corey Williams was one of the stars on a surprising Green Bay Packers defense in 2007. After a breakout year he could leave Green Bay. The Eagles had trouble pressuring QBs last season and could improve their front four with Williams if they’re willing to pay the 27-year-old. Come draft day, if he’s still available when the Eagles pick at 19, Kenny Phillips from Miami is the best safety in the draft and could learn from Brian Dawkins in his waning years.

With those two exciting additions to the defense the Eagles front office could tell Chad Johnson that the only missing piece of the puzzle is his play on offense. McNabb showed us what we know he is capable of in the last few games and with receivers having more motivation to actually get open and a defense that works up to their potential, the 2008 Eagles could be a team to remember. Without getting too excited try once again to allow yourself to picture this highlight reel with Ocho Cinco in an Eagles uniform. As was once said about his teammate T.J. Houshmandzadeh…..chaaaaaaaaaaampionshiiiiiiiip.