Eagles receiver search continues: Housh, Boldin, Holt?

The NFL offseason is barely a week old and already the Eagles rumor mill is churning with speculation that the Birds will go after one of possibly several available wide receivers. It's a rumor that never dies because it's a need that never gets filled. Kevin Curtis and DeSean Jackson are both excellent number two receivers but neither is the big possession receiver that the Eagles really need. Fans have been clamoring for a star receiver in Eagles green since last spring when Randy Moss, Roy Williams and Anquan Boldin all were rumored targets. The following three receivers are players the Eagles should be targeting this offseason:

T.J. Houshmandzadeh is the candidate who seems to be the most available and makes the most sense. Housh is a free agent who seems highly unlikely to re-sign with the crappy Bengals and is looking to join a Super Bowl contender. He has even gone so far as to come on Philadelphia radio and proclaim his interest in the Eagles. Of course, he will probably go to every city and say the same thing about every team, that's just what free agents do. Regardless, Housh's ability to make the tough catches across the middle would be the perfect complement to the speedy Curtis and Jackson. At 31, he isn't young, but how can you argue with 90+ catches the last three years? He isn't a big-play guy but he could fill the role of possession receiver that Reggie Brown will never be.

Another player who could be available is Anquan Boldin. Much has been written on this website and many others about Boldin wanting out of Arizona. He has long been unhappy with the huge contract his teammate Larry Fitzgerald has and has repeatedly said that he wants a new deal or he is leaving town. Boldin has even recently said that his relationship with the Cardinals has gotten so bad that he doesn't think it will ever be repaired. While Boldin is often injured, he is still young and would be another great target for Donovan McNabb. He would look great in the Eagles offense with his ability to make short catches and turn them into big plays with his size and speed. If he wants out of Arizona, that Eagles had better be making an offer. One possible snag is that his agent is the nefarious Drew Rosenhaus, someone the Eagles would prefer not to work with.

One last possible receiver on the Eagles radar has to be Torry Holt. The Rams are looking for some cap space and they have made it known that the former Pro Bowl receiver is available. Holt is 32 but has still averaged 83 catches over the last 3 seasons. He has certainly lost a step but he is still a solid possession receiver. The biggest issue with Holt has to be his contract. He is scheduled to make 10 million dollars next season, a price that the Eagles will be reluctant to pay for an aging veteran.

All three of the above players would be upgrades for the Eagles. While none is extremely likely to end up in Philly, you can bet that the Eagles will at least inquire about their availability. It became painfully obvious in the NFC Championship game that the Arizona Cardinals had horses on offense that the Eagles lacked. With a solid defense already in place, the Eagles have a team that looks ready to compete for the Super Bowl again next year. If they can just find one more weapon on offense for Donovan McNabb, the Birds might finally have a receiving core that would strike fear into opposing defenses.

Of course, the Eagles could easily choose to do what they do every offseason and not address the receiver position at all. Then we'll all be right back here again next year, wondering whether the Birds will finally make a move for a top receiver.