When going to Lehigh, make sure to print the Eagles roster and take it with you. There are too many players to keep an eye on. And, this year, there’s a number change to boot.

Jeremiah Trotter is likely done as an Eagle — for good this time. Rookie Brandon Graham has his number now.

LeSean McCoy switches from No. 29 to 25. So, if you got a McCoy jersey last year, like I almost did, time to go back to the Eagles Pro Shop — or Forman Mills. And, don’t expect Shady to pay for your new jersey. Hey, the guy is still on a rookie contract based on his second round draft status.

The other number that jumps out at us is 54. It’s now taken by Brandon Graham, the Eagles first round pick. This likely signifies the true end of the Jeremiah Trotter era. The Axeman twice resigned with the Eagles and was able to get his number. Tracey White wasn’t keeping it last year. Something tells me getting a first round pick to change his number isn’t happening.

So long, Trot. See ya’ at the car wash, I guess.

In an effort to knock the Phillies off the front page, the Eagles acquired Will Witherspoon on Tuesday.

In an effort to refocus the Philly sports spotlight on themselves today, the Eagles have made a trade at the deadline to solidify themselves as championship contenders.

Will Witherspoon was acquired to add needed depth at the LB position. We’re sure this move will knock J-Roll, Ryan Howard and the Phillies off of the front page of Wednesday’s papers. The Eagles are obviously jealous of the Phillies ability to win a ring and pursue a second, and made this move to take back their town.

The zero time Pro Bowler will surely fill the gap created when Stewart Bradley tore his knee to shreds during a charity fund raising event in August.

This move is significant for two more reasons. First, Omar Gaither is clearly more injured than the team suspected, and the Eagles couldn’t rely only on Jeremiah trotter to man the middle as the team gets into the NFC East schedule.

Second, Reggie Brown will now play an active role in the Eagles offense and is finally ready to realize his potential.

To get Witherspoon, the Eagles traded Brandon Gibson and a future fifth round pick to St. Louis for Witherspoon. Gibson, a late round pick this year, was ahead of Brown on the depth chart. Andy Reid and company wanted to get Brown in a position to make plays.

Why else would the Eagles pick up Witherspoon and the $5 million he is owed in each of the next two years?

According to the Eagles roster on the team’s web site as of Sunday evening, Trotter is listed as No. 54 and Tracy White — the player who wore that number against the Chiefs — has no number associated with him.

Jeremiah Trotter will officially don No. 54 at practice this week.

Eagle Nation knew the Axeman would end up with his number. Now the only question is how much it cost him.

When Trot chopped wood for the Eagles in 2004, he had to give then linebacker Nate Wayne a hand detailed wash at one of his Trot Spot Car Washes. While Trot has sold his car wash, we wonder if White’s ride will look extra clean when the team returns to the NovaCare complex on Monday.

In any event, it’ll be interesting to see what Trot had to surrender to get his number back this time, especially since he is only making the veteran minimum this time around.

Jeremiah Trotter, seen here during his dodge ball heyday, is making a comeback attempt with the Eagles.

Eagles deep reserve linebacker Tracey White will likely don a new number when the Eagles play again in two weeks.

If not, then he might get an axe to the head.

The Axeman, Jeremiah Trotter, is officially flying with the Eagles again, and will look to claim No. 54 for the third time in his career. Hey, Tracey, hold out for at least four free car washes when trot tries to bribe you for the number. Trot has sold his TrotSpot Car Wash, but that doesn’t mean he can’t wash your car by hand, Tracey.

Having Trot back in the fold is good news from a leadership standpoint. With Dawk in Denver and Stewart Bradley on IR, the birds need a vocal defensive leader.

Don’t expect the man to chop wood like he did in the past; he essentially has been off the NFL field for two years, and he is in his early 30s.

However, having him back in the locker room will pay dividends down the line. Now, the young linebackers on the team have someone they can look up to and learn from this season. Oh, and someone who can hold them accountable.

If Omar Gaither answered the call last week, just think how much better he’ll have to play knowing fan favorite Jeremiah Trotter is sitting behind him waiting for an opportunity.

Jeremiah Trotter could be signed this week.

Jeff Garcia is the odd man out. When he signed with the Eagles two weeks ago, he knew he’d likely be waived once Donovan McRib was healthy.

If there was any doubt about whether or not he’d be cut, Garcia erased it when he fumbled his first snap with 4:40 left in the game on Sunday.

McNabb should be ready to rock and roll after the bye week. As a result, look for Garcia to be waived this week.

That leaves the Birds with an open roster spot. They recently worked out both Jeremiah Trotter and Jon Runyan. Both would provide needed leadership and an extra body that could step in and play.

Based on reports from Howard Eskin, Trotter’s workout went a little better than Runyan’s. Add to that the fact that the Eagles seem to be a little thinner at the MIKE backer than at offensive tackle, and that the defense lacks leadership. You can start to see where Trotter fits into the Eagles plans right now.

He won’t start, and might not even play that much, especially if Omar Gaither continues to step up the way he did on Sunday.

However, he will contribute to the Eagles this season. Bringing him in during the bye week makes sense so he can work on getting back into peak football shape.

The Axeman should be chopping wood at the NovaCare Complex by the end of the week.

They are two of the most underrated things that lead teams to championships. Andy Reid and the Eagles worked out former MIKE backer Jeremiah Trotter this week. Trot hasn’t chopped wood in the NFL since 2007, and hasn’t played in Eagle green since 2006.

His best days are clearly behind him, but he could still be the leader the Eagles desperately need on defense.

For years, the Eagles had continuity on the defensive side of the ball. Brian Dawkins flew around the field, making plays, drilling opposing running backs and receivers, and just being a ballhawk. Weapon X was the leader of one of the most consistent defenses over the last decade.

Jim Johnson ran his system through Dawk.

Sadly, JJ is gone — a victim to melenoma cancer.

And, Dawk the Ballhawk is now wearing a hideous orange crush jersey. Gone is his playmaking ability. Gone is his leadersip. Gone is the chemistry that led the Eagles to five NFC Championship appearances in eight years.

Sure, the Birds counted on Stewart Bradley to step into the leader role. A devastating knee injury during Flight Night in August stripped him of his season, and the Eagles of their quarterback on defense.

Two games into the season, Sean McDermott and Andy Reid know they need a veteran leader on defense. Asante Samuel doesn’t carry the same weight that Dawk or Trotter did. Sheldon Brown can’t be that guy due to his contract situation.

The Eagles worked out the Axeman on Thursday. Andy Reid has said Trot moved very well, maybe even better than he did when he was released two years ago.

No matter what, his best days are behind him on the field. Off the field, he could be what the Eagles miss.

It may have taken two weeks, but Reid and Co. finally admitted they made a reDawkulous mistake by letting the heart and soul of their defense test the free agent waters, and ultimately leave for Denver.

That has to be the main reason why they inquired about Trotter.

The Axeman may be their only hope to have the defense regain the intensity they displayed for the last decade. The Eagles need Trot and his enthusiasm.

Andy, get the deal done. Make the best of your reDawkulous error. Sign Trot and give the defense a heart. Otherwise, we’ll be stuck with a tinman defense this year.

Gaither lost his starting middle linebacker job to Stewart Bradley two years ago, and his starting outside linebacker job to Akeem Jordan last year.

McDermott says it’s just the next step in the competition to see who will start opening day — Gaither or Joe Mays. The fact that Mays left the door open for Gaither is not good news.

Gaither was the guy who made Jeremiah Trotter expendable, but then chop much wood as the starting Mike backer. If Mays couldn’t shut the door on Gaither in the competition, then he is destined to be nothing more than a career backup.

The play against the run will definitely suffer with either Gaither or Mays. Mike Patterson and Brodrick Bunkly better penetrate the line and defend the run at a Pro-Bowl level to compensate for the downgrade at MLB. Otherwise, it could be a long season no matter how well Trent Cole, Asante Samuel and Sheldon Brown defend the pass.