With that, of course, comes the question of where the Eagles are going in the final 10 games of the regular season. How the Eagles handle this week -- the players with their time off and the coaches with their opportunity to self scout and improve the X's and O's side of things -- goes a long way toward painting that picture.

The NovaCare Complex will be a quiet place. Only those players recovering from injuries -- Jason Peters, Trent Cole, Brandon Graham, etc. -- are in to spend time in the athletic training room. The coaches have a few days to look over every frame of film from the 2-4 start to the season, as well as to ditch the plays that haven't worked and perhaps come up with some new concepts for what might work ahead. There is also time to get a jump on game planning for Dallas, the opponent in two Sundays.

Here are some topics I have to discuss cleaning out the notebook six games into a season that is far, far from over ...

• There is little reason, as I see it, to do anything with cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha other than put him on the other team's best receiver and let him play in coverage. I'm not sure Juan Castillo will do that, but at the very least Asomugha should play up in press coverage and just take out the receiver on his side. It is going to be particularly interesting when the Cowboys come to town on October 30. Do the Eagles play it straight against great receivers Miles Austin, Dez Bryant and Jason Witten? Or do they match Asomugha against a particular receiver?
• It is my slightly educated observer that safety Nate Allen is playing brilliant football these last two games. He is all over the field, around the ball the entire game and he has his burst back. I'm not sure Allen is 100 percent, all the way recovered from his patellar tendon injury, but he is close. If Allen keeps improving, he is going to be a tremendous player here.
• The Eagles still need a kickoff return game. Would they ever consider using Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie in that role?
• This draft class has seen its share of action. Guard Danny Watkins is starting and improving. Jason Kelce has been starting at year at center and has handled himself very well. Placekicker Alex Henery had the poor game against the 49ers, but otherwise has done a very nice job. Brian Rolle is coming on in a big way at weakside linebacker. I can't wait to see that kid in coverage against Dallas and Chicago. Dion Lewis is getting a couple of carries a game behind LeSean McCoy and his offering glimpses that he is going to be a real plus here. Casey Matthews had his taste as a starter and can now concentrate on improving in a lower-profile role. And I can almost guarantee you that the Eagles are going to get Jaiquawn Jarrett on the field for some meaningful time before the season is all said and done.
• How good is McCoy? He leads the league in first downs, is fourth in rushing, sixth in total yards from scrimmage, second in touchdowns and is third in yards per carry. The kid is a flat-out stud.
• I have to give DeSean Jackson a ton of credit for the way he has handled himself this year and how he has played. Jackson wants a new contract. We all know that. But he has shown maturity and a sense of purpose, and having an excellent season on the field. I hope Jackson gets a new deal. I think it's important that he and the Eagles come to a common ground. Jackson is too good to let go.
• Good stat on Monday Night Football: The teams with a bye week were 1-4 on Sunday. The rules dictate that the players are giving four consecutive days off during a bye week, including the weekend. It is something that Andy Reid always done -- the players are off Tuesday until they come back to the NovaCare Complex on Monday -- and he has had great success, obviously. Other teams aren't so lucky.
• Really, really bad decision by quarterback Vince Young to throw a pass that was intercepted against Washington. Young was slow to escape the pocket and throw the football and his pass was short and wobbly. It enraged some fans who, on the Ask Dave Spadaro section of the Message Boards, suggest that the Eagles trade Young to Oakland for a draft pick. So what would the Eagles get? A fifth-round pick? For the backup quarterback? Is that worth it? I think that is very questionable.
• Speaking of a trade the NFL's deadline is Tuesday afternoon. Knowing how the Eagles work, I wouldn't put it past them to make a trade. I am very 50/50 on whether I think the Eagles will make a deal.
• Don't get all jazzed up about Brandon Graham playing against Dallas. Don't get me wrong. I love the kid. I think he has a world of talent. I hope he makes it all the way back. But to think that he will step right back on the field after missing 10 months of football is a bit of wishful thinking. It may take Graham a couple of weeks, at least, to get into football shape.
• Can Todd Herremans make it to the Pro Bowl this year? The guy has played outstanding football as a left guard, a right tackle and now a left tackle. Herremans is playing the best football of his career, without a doubt.