The Daily Philadelphian

By FRANK WARD
DailyPhiladelphian.com Editor

Jason Avant always had the body type of a mini T.O. This year, he finally stepped up and displayed the talent to go over the middle and make spectacular catches in traffic.

The fourth year player out of Michigan will never win a footrace against Jon Runyan, but he displayed incredible toughness and concentration in the slot time and time again during the 2009 campaign.

He became one of Donovan McNabb’s reliable targets, setting career highs in receptions (41), yards (587) and touchdowns (3).

Avant is the perfect slot receiver in an offense featuring DeSean Jackson, Jeremy Mackin and Brent Celek. However, he is now a free agent and the Eagles need to decide whether or not to bring him back, and at what price.

Whether or not the NFL and NFLPA agree to a new CBA or not will play a role in Avant’s situation. Without a new deal, Avant is a restricted free agent. If they agree to a new deal, which seems unlikely at this point, Avant would be an unrestricted free agent.

The Eagles must bring back Jason Avant.

WHAT THE EAGLES SHOULD DO: If he is a restricted free agent, the Eagles must tender him a contract that would bring them at least a third round pick if her were to leave. Then, they will likely be able to match whatever he receives on the open market. In essence, they better bring him back. If he is an unrestricted free agent, they need to do everything in reason to bring him back. They’ve spent years trying to develop a slot receiver and finally have one. Unless a team comes in and blows Avant away with No. 2 receiver type money, the wideout needs to be in Eagles green next year. Nobody wants to see Reggie Brown ascend to that spot and Kevin Curtis is finished.

WHAT THE EAGLES WILL DO: They will tender him a contract as a restricted free agent. Andy Reid won’t let that guy walk if they can get him at a good price. As an unrestricted free agent, Avant will likely walk. The Eagles have never felt the need to pay their wide receivers a ton of money. With DeSean Jackson in line to get a major upgrade in pay and Reggie Brown still under contract, Reid and new GM Howie GeekRoseman won’t give Avant what he will command on the open market from a wideout-starved team such as the Raiders.