In my 10th and final analysis of the Eagles roster, position by position, the focus is on the deep secondary and a most important phase of football, the special teams. Neither was up to snuff last season, for a variety of reasons, and the Eagles head into the meat of the offseason looking to improve both areas.

Injuries dealt the safety positions a huge blow. Brian Dawkins missed all of the spring workouts and practice sessions to be with his family while his twin babies were born, and then he suffered a series of injuries from the moment he arrived at training camp -- Achilles tendinitis, then a severe neck stinger and then a sprained left foot -- and he played in just 10 games, recording just 51 total tackles and one interception.

It was anything but a typical season for the six-time Pro Bowl safety, and the rash of injuries cast doubt on Dawkins' ability to get back to his star level. Dawkins, though, has expressed every bit of confidence that a strong offseason will return his health and allow him to play at a high level in 2008. The Eagles have said the same thing, too.

But Dawkins has played 12 NFL seasons. He has logged a lot of physical toll in the 167 games he has been in Eagles green. Should the Eagles protect themselves just in case Dawkins has a hiccup along the way? We'll see about that.

Dawkins isn't the only injury concern. Starting strong safety Sean Considine struggled at times before his season ended midway through the year. A second shoulder injury curtained his campaign. Successful surgery was performed, and Considine has every bit of confidence that he will be back and better than ever this year.

With both Dawkins and Considine battling injuries, Quintin Mikell stepped up and showed he is a quality starter at either safety position. Mikell was physical, he made plays on the ball and he helped pilot a young defense that gave up the fewest points in the NFC East. It would seem that, on paper, Dawkins is the team's starting free safety and Mikell has the edge on Considine at strong safety at this point in the offseason.

Mikell proved he can be a starter, and a good one, in this defense. He was already one of the Eagles' best special teams players, and is somebody the Eagles know they can count on moving forward.

A pleasant surprise in the secondary last year was J.R. Reed, who was signed just before the season started, then was cut, and then returned and played well the rest of the way. Reed got better and better as the season progressed. He went from a player who stayed deep in coverage to someone who made plays at the line of scrimmage, and Reed figures to be back in the plans this time around. A restricted free agent, Reed is expected to receive a tender offer from the Eagles this week.

Youngster Marcus Paschal emerged from a pack in the preseason and made the practice team and then was elevated to the active roster in November. Paschal played in three games and got his feet wet. He has a year in the system and will make another effort to impress and make the team and gain more playing time in 2008.

The Eagles could very well add a safety in free agency or the draft. Dawkins is advancing in years, Considine has health issues and the team has always guarded itself against being caught short. There are options, although the draft is not known as a particularly deep one at the position. The hope is that Dawkins comes all the way back and that Mikell and Considine bring out the best in each other with good spring and summer competition.

Also, the Eagles are banking that Reed will be another better, along with Paschal. Still, is that enough? We are going to find out soon.

On special teams, the Eagles failed to show any real explosiveness in their return game last season. Toward the end, the combination of Reed and Correll Buckhalter did a pretty good job on kickoffs, but don't the Eagles want a return man who can take a kickoff to the house? Same on punts. The Eagles tried Greg Lewis and then Reed in the opener at Green Bay, and the decision cost them dearly in a loss that set the tone for the season.

A premier return man would provide a terrific boost for the team -- everybody. The Eagles would like to get somebody who can be a combination player -- a return man who can also help at another position -- but they certainly need some game-breaking abilities in the return game.

Sav Rocca improved as his rookie NFL season matured and he is the front-runner to remain the punter, although there is likely to be competition. David Akers, who did not have success in his long-range kicks, is still regarded as an outstanding kicker who needs to work out some kinks. Akers, as usual, will have another kicker in camp to provide competition. Jon Dorenbos is the long snapper who has a long-term contract, and the Eagles have a good core of special teams players to block and cover kicks. That core will be challenged by draft picks and the rest of the roster.