Some random thoughts:

• I'm a little surprised the Eagles didn't make more of a splash in the free-agent market. They're usually pretty active in that area, because of how well they've managed the salary cap over the years.

To be honest, I expected them to pursue Carolina defensive end Julius Peppers with more vigor, as they really do need a second pass-rusher to complement Pro Bowler Trent Cole.

Of course, they did sign cornerback Marlin Jackson from the Colts (not to be confused with Marlon Jackson of The Jackson Five). But he's been hurt the past two years so it's not like the Birds had to outbid a bunch of other teams for Jackson's services.

So it looks like the Eagles will rely on the college draft in April to bolster their personnel. The good news is, this draft is said to be the deepest in eight years on the defensive side of the ball, which is where Philly needs the most help.

• I read last week in the Philadelphia papers that Sixers Coach Eddie Jordan is on his way out. The only question is whether he'll be fired very soon, or when the season is over. Apparently, General Manager Ed Stefanski is on the hot seat as well.

Gee, really? It took ownership this long to figure out what we fans have known for months?

The 76ers are a mess, and have been the entire season. This is a club with the talent to be no worse than a .500 team, and they're not even close to contending for a playoff spot in the mediocre Eastern Conference.

It's time for new blood. The next coach should be a guy who's been an assistant with a successful franchise like the Celtics or Lakers — not some retread who's been hired and fired elsewhere.

• There's serious talk the NCAA could expand March Madness to 96 teams. When I first learned that was being considered, I thought it seemed outlandish.

Who ever heard of a tournament with 96 teams? That really is madness.

But the rationale in favor of enlarging the field actually makes some sense. There are 347 Division I-A men's basketball programs, and the level of competitiveness has continued to grow.

More and more teams from mid-major conferences can hold their own with the big boys.

Adding 31 colleges to the championship mix might be a bit much, but there's no doubt every year some deserving teams are left out because there aren't enough at-large berths.

Florida State coach Leonard Hamilton has said that the 65 teams that make the NCAAs every year aren't the best 65 in the country, and he's right.

• Last week, Paul Hagen of the Philadelphia Daily News made the point that Charlie Manuel is arguably the best manager in Phillies history.

I have to agree.

Let's look at the other contenders: Gene Mauch is the winningest manager in Fightin's history, but he never made it to a World Series. Ditto for Danny Ozark, who led the Phils to three straight postseason appearances from 1976-78.

Manuel's biggest rival has to be Dallas Green, who managed the club to its first world championship in 1980. But he didn't hang around long enough to build on that.

Admittedly, there are no Joe Torres and Casey Stengels in the Phillies' managerial pantheon, so Manuel's competition isn't exactly stiff.

However, that shouldn't detract from what he's accomplished the past two seasons — with, it is hoped, even more success on the way.