Who Do the Eagles Have in Mind to Replace L.J. Smith?

L.J. Smith is having a rough season. Bad timing, too, since he's in the last year of his rookie deal and it doesn't look like the Eagles have any plans on bringing him back.

This raises a bunch of questions -- where will Smith end up? Who will Philly target to replace him? Will the tight end position be changing if Andy Reid calls it quits? And so and and so forth.

Despite Smith not doing much in 2007 (he's been battling injuries), the former second-round pick has amassed 145 catches for 1,670 yards and 13 touchdowns since 2004, which bests the Colts' Dallas Clark by 53 receptions and 192 yards (Clark also had 13 scores). Not too shabby.

Smith won't have any problem finding work, but who will assume the starting role in Philly when he's gone?

f the Eagles decide to go in a different direction at tight end, they'll have to decide whether they think rookie Brent Celek can fill the void. After an impressive training camp, the fifth-round pick out of Cincinnati has been OK, catching eight passes for 75 yards. He would certainly be a question mark if elevated to a starting position next season.

The Colts' Clark is also eligible for free agency, and he'd certainly be an interesting addition if the Eagles could sign him. As for the draft, Notre Dame's John Carlson, Texas A&M's Martellus Bennett, Wisconsin's Travis Beckum, and the Missouri duo of Martin Rucker and Chase Coffman are considered among the best in the country.

I can't imagine the Colts letting Clark get away. Maybe the Eagles can trade Donovan McNabb to the Bears for rookie tight end Greg Olsen. If nothing else, it'll clear the way for A.J. Feeley to take Philly to the Super Bowl next season.