So I'm going to start here by riffing on some players who need to have a huge off-season to stay here, to make a contribution, to realize the glimpses of ability that first attracted the Eagles to each young man. I know that the goal is for everyone to make the most of the months ahead, but the reality is that some work at it harder than others.

With that said, here is a quickie list of players most on the spot in the weeks to come ...

TONY HUNT, RB

Who wasn't excited about the selection of Hunt in last year's draft? The Penn State product was terrific in college and he represented a different kind of running back than what the Eagles have generally used. But after a season of largely inactivity, Hunt is a gigantic question mark heading into his second season. Hunt made minimal waves as a rookie. What waits for him?

Well, he needs to work on his body, become stronger, dig into his conditioning and grow up about the NFL game in a hurry. Hunt needs to have a Brodrick Bunkley-like off-season. He needs to live at the NovaCare Complex and he needs to prepare to make a legitimate push to get on the field. I don't think it is a slam dunk that Hunt makes this team. I see a roster that will see Ryan Moats return from his broken ankle. I see a draft that has a boatload of running backs available.

The Eagles have to see Hunt make the commitment when the off-season conditioning program starts in March. If he comes in looking good and shows that he is prepared to take his career to the next level, Hunt could make a real run at playing time. If not, well, he is going to have to earn a roster spot.

MAX JEAN-GILLES, OG

A big, powerful offensive guard, Jean-Gilles played really well in his limited time against Detroit, and then played very well in extended action in Dallas and New Orleans. You can see the ability and the potential with this youngster. He has to be prepared to make the next move, and work his way into the starting lineup and do everything he can to dominate when he is on the field.

It's time for Jean-Gilles to get in tip-top shape and shed some of that excess weight from his massive frame. He looks like he has a chance to be a special lineman. It begins in the off-season with the way Jean-Gilles prepares for the regular season.

BRIAN DAWKINS, S

Obviously, Dawkins has a lot at stake. He had an injury-plagued season and was nowhere close to the great player he has been in his career. With questions about how much longer he can play looming, Dawkins must have a boffo off-season. He is likely to spend more time in Philadelphia than in years past, and it's important that Dawkins gets in the best football shape possible before he gets to Lehigh University and training camp.

Will the Eagles acquire a safety in case Dawkins can't play at his usual high level or stay healthy? Good question. I don't know. I know the team thinks Dawkins has it in him to play some very good football ahead. That faith comes with a risk for a player who had a very difficult season in 2007.

VICTOR ABIAMIRI, DE

There is always a player who makes a huge leap from year one to year two in the NFL. Abiamiri is a good candidate for that. He has a terrific work ethic, he is a smart guy and he is coming off a season in which he had a good taste of what it is like to be in the league. Abiamiri has a chance to earn some significant playing time next season. When a carrot is dangling like that, players generally respond.

Abiamiri is already a physical end who has a good sense of what line coach Pete Jenkins asks of him. He needs to work on his burst, his technique and his ability to shed blockers. The Eagles liked what they saw from Abiamiri late in the season. The second-round draft could really emerge if he has a fine off-season.

LaJUAN RAMSEY, DT

Talk about a disappointing second season. Ramsey played in just nine games and made just nine total tackles and was inactive too often. He is clearly on the fence here. Ramsey needs to get in the best shape of his life and he needs to attack the off-season and training camp. The Eagles want to improve their depth at defensive tackle behind starters Mike Patterson and Bunkley. At the moment, the Eagles have some real questions there.

Ramsey is one of the biggest questions. What happened to him after a pretty good rookie season?

LITO SHEPPARD, CB

Along the same lines as Dawkins, Sheppard needs to have his maximum training off-season and do everything he can to avoid injuries in 2008. Sheppard has missed 15 games in the last three years, and those injuries are holding him back from making his mark as one of the best corners in the league.

What can Sheppard do in the off-season to help his cause in the regular season? I don't know the specifics, but he can build a coat of armor and hope he holds up from September through February.

When he is on the field, Sheppard is a superb player. But he has been hurt too much, and it would not be a surprise at all to see the Eagles address the position in free agency or the draft.

REGGIE BROWN, WR

Brown works hard and he showed some flashes in 2007, but he wasn't consistent enough to make that next step. Brown needs to alter his off-season approach some how, some way. What can he do now to help him come out and start next season like he ended the '07 campaign?

At some point, Brown is either going to take off to reach the next plateau in his career or he is going to be "what he is." The Eagles think there is more to Brown than what he has shown so far in his career. With his quickness, his strength, his down-the-field-ability, Brown has the opportunity to thrive in this league.

A big off-season could help that acceleration. Remember the preseason last summer? Brown was quiet then, and he continued to be quiet into the regular season. That has to change this summer.

DONOVAN McNABB, QB

Having a great mental off-season is just as important as having a great physical off-season for McNabb. My advice to him -- not that he's asking -- is to lay low and work hard and enjoy the injury-free months. We've already seen, as evidenced by his most recent blog entry, that every word McNabb utters is going to be front-page news. McNabb should just enjoy the tranquility and the good health and have himself a drama-free off-season.

Will that happen? I don't know. McNabb isn't scheduled for any press conferences, and he may or may not be at the Super Bowl -- there are no endorsements planned -- so maybe we won't hear from McNabb until the post-draft mini-camp. That would be good news for McNabb and this football team.

STEWART BRADLEY, LB

Now there are expectations. It is a blessing and a burden for players like Bradley, who now have a name and a mini-reputation and the attention of the fans and the media. Where does Bradley fit in for 2008? Somewhere, that's for sure, but there are no specific plans in place yet. Bradley needs to push himself in the off-season and get ready to build on the exciting promise he offered as a rookie.

Bradley looks like he can be an outstanding player. He needs to have a big off-season to make that happen next year.

NEWS, NOTES AND THIS AND THAT

• Interesting goings-on in the NFC East as the coaching carousel goes round and round. How much impact would it have on Dallas if it loses key coaches? It could have a huge impact, but let's see how it all plays out first. But if the Cowboys lose offensive coordinator Jason Garrett and offensive line coach Tony Sparano, that could be important.
• I'll be at the Senior Bowl on Monday and Tuesday as the Eagles scout the top collection of senior college players at the North-South practices. Anybody know anything about Mobile, Ala.? I could use some tips on how to live it up -- until at least 10 p.m. -- on Monday night.
• Who has a better chance of making the team after a season-ending injury from last year, Ryan Moats or Jerome McDougle? I just have the feeling that one of them is going to have a tremendous summer.
• Figure this out: The Eagles have a 43-21 record on the road since 2000, the best in the NFL. How in the world was this team only 3-5 at Lincoln Financial Field last season? Very strange.
• Take a look at this list of potential unrestricted free agents after the 2008 season: Dawkins, William Thomas, McDougle, Moats, Sean Considine, Jon Runyan, Scott Young, Correll Buckhalter, Takeo Spikes and Hank Baskett.
• In case you are wondering about this year, here is the list of players scheduled to be unrestricted free agents on February 28: William James, Reno Mahe, L.J. Smith, Thomas Tapeh and Kimo von Oelhoffen. Joselio Hanson and J.R. Reed are scheduled to be restricted free agents.