Various media outlets (ProfootballTalk.com was the first I think) are reporting that the Eagles have signed Bengals offensive tackle Stacy Andrews to replace Jon Runyan at right tackle.

Stacy, who is coming off of a knee injury that is not believed to be a serious concern for 2009, is the older brother of Shawn Andrews, and hopefully this signing will improve Shawn's disposition, and get him into training camp this summer with a smile on his face.

So what does this signing mean for the rest of the offensive line?

Stacy, who was franchised in 2007 by the Bengals, is a bigger, younger version of Runyan. His style of play and long reach allows him to seal off the edge like Runyan does, but his youth and additional strength will give him the push that Runyan lacked the last few years when run blocking.

In addition to ending Runyan's 9-year run as the Eagles' starting right tackle, this signing probably signals the end of left tackle Tra Thomas' time in green as well. For Thomas to stay with the Birds, he would have needed to re-sign before free agency started, because the Eagles have several internal options to replace him at left tackle.

When the Eagles tendered a contract to restricted free agent guard Nick Cole, it seemed like a sign that Cole was going to get a starting spot on the line, especially after his strong play in December and January after Max Jean-Gilles was lost to injury.

With Cole starting at one of the guard positions, the other guard spot and left tackle will be filled by Shawn Andrews and Todd Herremans. Both players have held starting guard spots for the Eagles, but each was a standout tackle in college, which is something Andy Reid talked about in the days leading up to the free agency period opening.

It's sad to see Runyan and Thomas go, but due to age and injury, neither player was effective at run blocking anymore, which is a sign that it's time to move on.

***
In other free agency news...

* Correll Buckhalter is scheduled to visit with the Denver Broncos today, and the Mile High City would be a perfect place for Buck to end up. Their zone blocking scheme fits his one-move running style, because he hits the hole hard and fast, and doesn't rely on a cut-back move to gain yardage. Hopefully it works out for him.

* Rumors have the Eagles in the bidding for T.J. Houshmandzadeh, and his own words have him wanting to come to Philadelphia. However, he said on ESPN last night that he also would be happy with Minnesota, Seattle, and a few other teams.

* Published reports out of St. Louis said that the Eagles are talking about trading Reggie Brown and middle-round draft pick for Torry Holt.

* John Clayton of ESPN.com reported that it would take a first- and a third-round pick to get Anquan Boldin in Eagle-green.

* Could Donovan McNabb be pushing for his former Syracuse teammate Marvin Harrison to sign with the Eagles? Harrison will be 37 when the 2009 season begins, and his numbers and health have declined greatly in the last two seasons, so I would pass on Harrison, especially taking his legal issues into account.

If all four of these rumors are true, I cannot understand why the Eagles wouldn't have Boldin and Holt in Philadelphia today. The Eagles filled a need at right tackle already, and can't get a top wide receiver with the combined value of their two first round picks, so why not use a few picks to get a true difference maker --Boldin-- and a guy with great hands and experience as a number one receiver -- Holt?