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This one hits a bit close to home, given the Eagles' contention that while they're never a team burning up salary cap space with dead money, when it comes to actual dollars, they're right at the top.

Um, not so much:

The Eagles ranked 20th in the NFL in actual dollars spent on salaries from 2004 to '08, according to numbers obtained by Jason La Canfora, the former Washington Post Redskins writer who recently joined the NFL Network. The numbers are gross totals spent on player salaries and bonuses.

The Eagles spent $495.75 million, and La Canfora says the Birds are among the teams that "stand out, stringing together a good run without grossly overspending." He makes the same case for the Giants (No. 19, $497.63 million) and Bears (21st, $495.57 million). Of course, all three teams reached a Super Bowl during that span, with the Giants winning the title. New England is 10th at $513.31 million.

Conversely, the team at the top of the list in spending -- to no one's surprise -- is the Dallas Cowboys at $566.89 million and still searching for an elusive playoff victory. The Redskins -- backed by Daniel Snyder's cash -- are third at $547.37 million. Seattle is a surprising second at $552.42 million.

On one hand, the list is self-nullifying as a marker of success.  Money doesn't equal wins. 

On the other, with their new stadium and passionate fanbase, the Eagles are one of the most valuable franchises in the league.  They should be able to stretch out a bit more than 20th.

I actually love when this kind of information comes out.  Not because it will be endlessly rehashed as a talking point whenever these guys drop two games in a row, but because it's a stick that pokes the beehive.  Usually there's a response.  And then we learn even more.