The Eagles have signed free agent wide receiver Kevin Curtis to a six-year contract.
The early word?
This space prefers Donte' Stallworth, but I like the deal nonetheless. Details later.
Thursday, March 15, 2007
Running Back Ron Dayne Coming Home?
In another questionable move by the Eagles' front office, running back Ron Dayne will come in for a visit to discuss the possibility of become the team's number two running back behind Brian Westbrook.
Many people view the 29 year-old, who was taken with the 11th overall pick by the Giants in 2000, as a complete bust who has never lived up to expectations. Actually, that's the way Iview him. With that said, Dayne might actually be a decent fit for the Eagles, who will likely call on him for six to ten carries a game.
Last year, in only 11 games with Houston, Dayne 612 yards on 151 carries, for an average of 4.1 yards per carry. When you consider that he was running behind an absolutely awful Texans offensive line, those numbers begin to look pretty good.
The key with Dayne is understanding that he is not a push the pile type of back despite his stout 5'10'', 245 lb. frame. He is a little bit more of a shifty runner than people would anticipate him to be.
Given the choice between Dayne and Eagles free agent Correll Buckhalter, who has missed three of the past five seasons with knee injuries and was only OK in his return last season.
Of course, Corey Dillon still remains on the market, but the likelihood is that he will command more money and be less likely to embrace the roll of backup runningback. He is also three years older than Dayne.
It certainly isn't Deuce McAllister and Reggie Bush, but Brian Westbrook and Ron Dayne could form a nice one-two punch.
Monday, March 12, 2007
Fowler Bails on Eagles, Signs with Titans
In a very weird development, restricted free agent linebacker Ryan Fowler, who reportedly signed a four-year offer sheet on Sunday with the Eagles, has opted to sign with the Titans instead.
Profootballtalk.com reports: "Late last week, the Eagles and the Titans were both negotiating with Fowler, who previously played for the Cowboys. Titans G.M. Mike Reinfeldt, however, had to return to Seattle to deal with a family medical issue. Over the weekend, Fowler's agent, Alan Herman, was unable to reach Reinfeldt to determine whether the pending offer from the Titans was their final offer.
Acting under the assumption that they had the Titans' best offer, Herman and Fowler weighed the offers from Tennessee and Philly and Fowler decided to sign the Eagles' offer sheet.
On Sunday, Reinfeldt got back to Herman, and presented the Titans' final offer. It was better than the Eagles' offer. The only problem? Herman already had told the Eagles that Fowler would sign the Eagles' offer sheet.
As we understand it, Herman explained the situation to the Eagles, and Fowler took Sunday night to make a decision. On Monday morning, he decided to sign the offer sheet from the Titans."
The reaction here? Good. Perhaps this will force the Eagles hand at actually going out and drafting somebody worth a damn at linebacker instead of handing out mid-range contracts to nobody's from the NFL's trash heap.
Interestingly, this is the second time in two seasons that a free agent appeared poised to sign with the Eagles before a last minute change of heart. Last year, center LeCharles Bentley spurned the Eagles and signed a mega-deal with Cleveland, only to blow out his knee and miss the entire 2006 season. It currently appears unlikely that Bentley will play in 2007, putting his career in jeopardy.
The Eagles have not yet commented on the matter and it is not certain that they will.
Profootballtalk.com reports: "Late last week, the Eagles and the Titans were both negotiating with Fowler, who previously played for the Cowboys. Titans G.M. Mike Reinfeldt, however, had to return to Seattle to deal with a family medical issue. Over the weekend, Fowler's agent, Alan Herman, was unable to reach Reinfeldt to determine whether the pending offer from the Titans was their final offer.
Acting under the assumption that they had the Titans' best offer, Herman and Fowler weighed the offers from Tennessee and Philly and Fowler decided to sign the Eagles' offer sheet.
On Sunday, Reinfeldt got back to Herman, and presented the Titans' final offer. It was better than the Eagles' offer. The only problem? Herman already had told the Eagles that Fowler would sign the Eagles' offer sheet.
As we understand it, Herman explained the situation to the Eagles, and Fowler took Sunday night to make a decision. On Monday morning, he decided to sign the offer sheet from the Titans."
The reaction here? Good. Perhaps this will force the Eagles hand at actually going out and drafting somebody worth a damn at linebacker instead of handing out mid-range contracts to nobody's from the NFL's trash heap.
Interestingly, this is the second time in two seasons that a free agent appeared poised to sign with the Eagles before a last minute change of heart. Last year, center LeCharles Bentley spurned the Eagles and signed a mega-deal with Cleveland, only to blow out his knee and miss the entire 2006 season. It currently appears unlikely that Bentley will play in 2007, putting his career in jeopardy.
The Eagles have not yet commented on the matter and it is not certain that they will.
Sunday, March 11, 2007
Eagles Sign Ryan Fowler to Offer Sheet
The Eagles have signed Cowboys' free agent linebacker Ryan Fowler to an offer sheet reportedly worth $10.5 million over four-years. Fowler is a restricted free agent, but because he was undrafted the Cowboys will receive no compensation should they choose not to re-sign him.
Fowler, a quality special teams player for the Cowboys, wants the opportunity to start and will likely have a chance to do that with the Eagles given the current uncertainty with the position. Fowler is best suited to play either middle linebacker or the SAM position. If Dallas opts to not re-sign Fowler, the Eagles feel that they have found a diamond in the rough. I, like many people in Philadelphia, know nothing about him, so only time will tell with this one.
Fowler, a quality special teams player for the Cowboys, wants the opportunity to start and will likely have a chance to do that with the Eagles given the current uncertainty with the position. Fowler is best suited to play either middle linebacker or the SAM position. If Dallas opts to not re-sign Fowler, the Eagles feel that they have found a diamond in the rough. I, like many people in Philadelphia, know nothing about him, so only time will tell with this one.
So What Will the Eagles do at WR Now?
With Donte' Stallworth in New England, the Eagles must now focus their efforts on replacing the void left by the speedy receiver. From this perspective, it is quite unlikely that the Eagles will sign former Rams wide receiver Kevin Curtis. The more likely scenario is that the Eagles will either draft a receiver, wait for the June 1st cap casualties, or swing a trade for a receiver sometime this summer.
Curtis has visited all of his potential suitors and now has formally hired his new agents, so expect a decision to be made in the next 24 to 36 hours.
Curtis has visited all of his potential suitors and now has formally hired his new agents, so expect a decision to be made in the next 24 to 36 hours.
Eagles Dropped the Ball with Stallworth
Former Eagles' wide receiver Donte' Stallworth has signed a six-year contract with the New England Patriots for $30 million, $12 million of which is guaranteed. Reports suggest that the contract is essentially a one-year deal worth $3.6 million should the Patriots decide that Stallworth is not worth the rest of the rather large signing bonus.
It's not that the Stallworth is fleeing Philadelphia is a surprise, it is that the Eagles opted not to match what appears to be a very modest deal from the Patriots.
Maybe the Eagles made Stallworth a similar offer and he simply chose New England, where he could catch passes from future Hall of Fame quarterback Tom Brady on a team that is the early favorite to reach the Super Bowl. Maybe the Eagles didn't offer him anything at all. Still, it is a disappointing end to the Stallworth saga for Eagles fans, who once again are left scratching their heads at another unpopular decision by Joe Banner, Tom Heckert, and Andy Reid.
It's not that the Stallworth is fleeing Philadelphia is a surprise, it is that the Eagles opted not to match what appears to be a very modest deal from the Patriots.
Maybe the Eagles made Stallworth a similar offer and he simply chose New England, where he could catch passes from future Hall of Fame quarterback Tom Brady on a team that is the early favorite to reach the Super Bowl. Maybe the Eagles didn't offer him anything at all. Still, it is a disappointing end to the Stallworth saga for Eagles fans, who once again are left scratching their heads at another unpopular decision by Joe Banner, Tom Heckert, and Andy Reid.
Saturday, March 10, 2007
William James Re-Signed
On Friday, the Eagles re-signed cornerback William James to a one-year contract. James wants to prove his worth during the one-year deal and then presumably cash in next March. James says he plans to bump either Lito Sheppard or Sheldon Brown out of the starting lineup.
His confidence is great, but the chances he starts, barrining injury, are not very high with both starters already signed to long-term deals.
If he gets the mega-deal he is looking for, it most likely won't be with the Eagles. For this season, however, James will provide a quality depth as a nickel cornerback.
Even with Jamesin the fold, expect the Eagles to use a first-day draft pick on a cornerback that will replace James in 2008 and push for a starting spot.
His confidence is great, but the chances he starts, barrining injury, are not very high with both starters already signed to long-term deals.
If he gets the mega-deal he is looking for, it most likely won't be with the Eagles. For this season, however, James will provide a quality depth as a nickel cornerback.
Even with Jamesin the fold, expect the Eagles to use a first-day draft pick on a cornerback that will replace James in 2008 and push for a starting spot.
Eagles Interested in Mike Doss?
The usually reliable Adam Scheffter of NFL Network reports that the Eagles have extended a contract offer to former Colts' strong safety Mike Doss. Schefter says Doss rejected the original offer, but Andy Reid has since spoken to him via telephone to express his interest in the former Ohio State standout.
This would be a fantastic addition to the Eagles' secondary, which now seems to be taking shape after the one-year deal signed by cornerback William James on Friday. Doss, a very physical safety, also has good coverage skills. He would surely be an upgrade over Sean Considine.
The Eagles have not confirmed these reports.
Keep an eye on this one.
This would be a fantastic addition to the Eagles' secondary, which now seems to be taking shape after the one-year deal signed by cornerback William James on Friday. Doss, a very physical safety, also has good coverage skills. He would surely be an upgrade over Sean Considine.
The Eagles have not confirmed these reports.
Keep an eye on this one.
Thursday, March 08, 2007
Does Corey Dillon Really Want to Play for the Eagles?
One of the hot rumors making the rounds around the league is that former Patriots running back Corey Dillon is interested in joining the Philadelphia Eagles. It is not known if and to what extent the Eagles are interested.
NFL Network's Adam Schefter reports that Dillon delayed a free agent visit to Buffalo because he wants to play for a team that he feels has a chance to win right now. Reportedly, Dillon is very interested in coming to Philly.
I don't, however, see how Dillon fits in here. Supposedly, Dillon wanted out of New England because he didn't want to split carries with Laurence Maroney. The Eagles claim they will run the ball more this upcoming season, but even so, Dillon will get the same number of carries in a backfield that already features Brian Westbrook.
Also, what kind of money is Corey Dillon looking to get on the open market? If he accepted a limited roll and commanded a modest salary, it would be an excellent move for the Eagles.
I just don't think it is realistic.
NFL Network's Adam Schefter reports that Dillon delayed a free agent visit to Buffalo because he wants to play for a team that he feels has a chance to win right now. Reportedly, Dillon is very interested in coming to Philly.
I don't, however, see how Dillon fits in here. Supposedly, Dillon wanted out of New England because he didn't want to split carries with Laurence Maroney. The Eagles claim they will run the ball more this upcoming season, but even so, Dillon will get the same number of carries in a backfield that already features Brian Westbrook.
Also, what kind of money is Corey Dillon looking to get on the open market? If he accepted a limited roll and commanded a modest salary, it would be an excellent move for the Eagles.
I just don't think it is realistic.
Stallworth All but Gone
According to one of my favorite websites, profootballtalk.com, wide receiver Donte' Stallworth has received three different contract offers this week. The Titans, Patriots, and Eagles are all apparently in play for the talented, but oft-injured wide-out. He is also scheduled to visit Miami on Friday. There are conflicting reports about the Eagles offering Stallworth a contract, but profootballtalk.com reports that they have indeed offered a one-year deal.
With Kevin Curtis reportedly in Philadelphia to meet with the Eagles on Friday and Stallworth generating interest from various clubs, including Tennessee who has alot of cash to throw around under the cap, it is pretty clear that Donte' Stallworth is headed to his third different team in the past calendar year.
With Kevin Curtis reportedly in Philadelphia to meet with the Eagles on Friday and Stallworth generating interest from various clubs, including Tennessee who has alot of cash to throw around under the cap, it is pretty clear that Donte' Stallworth is headed to his third different team in the past calendar year.
Bethel Johnson is a good signing IF...
The Eagles have announced the signing of free agent WR Bethel Johnson. Johnson, a second-round draft pick of the New England Patriots in 2003, spent last season in Minnesota after being cut by the New Orleans Saints.
Great.
Johnson's career statistics mirror the ones that Donte' Stallworth put up in 2006 alone.
Again, Great.
In the Eagles defense, though, they likely did not sign Johnson to replace Stallworth. Instead, he provides good competition for second-year kick returner Jeremy Bloom, who needs to show he can be the playmaker the Eagles envisioned when they used a fifth-round pick on him last spring. If the Eagles expectations are that Johnson can be a fifth receiver and viable threat as a return man should Bloom not pan out, then this is a good signing. If they believe that they have found a steal that can replace Stallworth as a legitimate deep threat, then they are fooling themselves.
Johnson, who won two Super Bowls with the Patriots, is noted for his blazing speed. Still, he only has 39 career receptions for 606 yards and 4 touchdowns in four seasons, which suggests he isn't likely to make much of an impact at receiver. The low-risk and low-cost signing (surprise surprise) may turn out to be a good one, though, as long as the Eagles have the right expectations for Johnson.
Great.
Johnson's career statistics mirror the ones that Donte' Stallworth put up in 2006 alone.
Again, Great.
In the Eagles defense, though, they likely did not sign Johnson to replace Stallworth. Instead, he provides good competition for second-year kick returner Jeremy Bloom, who needs to show he can be the playmaker the Eagles envisioned when they used a fifth-round pick on him last spring. If the Eagles expectations are that Johnson can be a fifth receiver and viable threat as a return man should Bloom not pan out, then this is a good signing. If they believe that they have found a steal that can replace Stallworth as a legitimate deep threat, then they are fooling themselves.
Johnson, who won two Super Bowls with the Patriots, is noted for his blazing speed. Still, he only has 39 career receptions for 606 yards and 4 touchdowns in four seasons, which suggests he isn't likely to make much of an impact at receiver. The low-risk and low-cost signing (surprise surprise) may turn out to be a good one, though, as long as the Eagles have the right expectations for Johnson.
Tuesday, March 06, 2007
It is Going to be Hard to Re-Sign LJ Smith
The news that tight end Daniel Graham has signed a 5-year, $30 million contract with the Denver Bronocs raises significant questions about the contract status of Eagles' tight end LJ Smith. Graham, considered primarily as a blocking tight end, hauled in 21 receptions for 235 yards and only two touchdowns in 2006. Somehow, Graham parlayed a statistically mediocre season into a contract that makes him the second highest paid tight end in the NFL.
What does this mean for Smith, the fifth-year player, who caught 50 balls, for 611 yards, and 5 touchdowns in 2006? It means he is due a whole lot of friggen money come this time next March. The Eagles have previously tried to extend Smith's contract, but he has yet to accept any of the team's offers to this point. Smith is an athletic tight end and has the ability to stretch the field at any time in order to make a big play. He struggles with his consistency, but is still considered among the upper-echelon of tight ends around the league.
Now, the Eagles must decide if they will up the ante to retain Smith or if they will be better served by bringing in another tight end via the draft. My guess, at this point, is the Eagles will elect to go with the latter. One thing is for certain, based on Graham's abilities and the monster contract he just signed, Smith is due to make some serious money.
What does this mean for Smith, the fifth-year player, who caught 50 balls, for 611 yards, and 5 touchdowns in 2006? It means he is due a whole lot of friggen money come this time next March. The Eagles have previously tried to extend Smith's contract, but he has yet to accept any of the team's offers to this point. Smith is an athletic tight end and has the ability to stretch the field at any time in order to make a big play. He struggles with his consistency, but is still considered among the upper-echelon of tight ends around the league.
Now, the Eagles must decide if they will up the ante to retain Smith or if they will be better served by bringing in another tight end via the draft. My guess, at this point, is the Eagles will elect to go with the latter. One thing is for certain, based on Graham's abilities and the monster contract he just signed, Smith is due to make some serious money.
Look at the Patriots in Free Agency
One of the Eagles favorite tactics at deflecting criticism of their conservative nature in free agency is to point to the similar philosophy followed by the New England Patriots. New England, much like Philadelphia, is usually reluctant to throw huge signing bonuses and big dollars at players in free agency. Rather, the Patriots have built their dynasty through the draft and by retaining their own players. Of course, the Eagles shouldn't compare themselves to the Patriots in any capacity given that, you know, they haven't won a Super Bowl.
With that said, the Eagles' favorite device for exuding their smarter-than-thou arrogance has just been destroyed. The Patriots have went wild in this free agency, throwing huge dollars at LB Adalius Thomas and bringing in RB Sammy Morris, and TE Kyle Brady. They also shipped second-round and seventh-round draft picks to the Miami for the services of WR Wes Welker and subsequently signed him to a lucrative deal. All of this action from the Patriots has to evoke a collective "what the hell?" around the league, particularly in Philadelphia where the Eagles are wondering what in the world has gotten into the NFL's true gold standard/
To throw a twist of irony into this, the Eagles also point out that the wide receiver position is not that important, a belief they believed the Patriots shared. The Eagles often reference New England's Super Bowl teams lacked the services of playmaking wide receivers. That may have very well been the case, but now there are reports that the Patriots have offered Eagles free-agent WR Donte Stallworth a six-year deal worth $32 million. Seems like a pretty decent contract offer for a team that doesn't value wide receivers, especially for a guy the Eagles consider expendable.
So what has gotten into the Patriots all of the sudden? It's rather simple, actually. New England was in the midst of building a dynasty so there was never any need to change their philosophy. Now that they have come up short the past two seasons in a loaded AFC, they see a need to add big time talent in order to get back to the top.
It is exactly the philosophy that the Eagles should have adopted when they were so close so many times. It is exactly the approach they should have had entering this period of free agency. Instead, they missed out then and appear to be missing out now, foolishly believing that they were/are on par with the Patriots. It must be a tough free agency period for the Eagles brain trust as they not only learn that the team they turned to as a reference for so many years no longer has the same philosophy, but that their own team remains idle with its success depending on a first-round pick that couldn't get on the field last year and a superstar quarterback that has missed significant time three of the past five seasons. They can no longer fall back and point to the success of the Patriots' philosophy. To throw salt on the wound, they are reportedly on the brink of taking one of the Eagles biggest offensive threats right out from underneath of them.
The Eagles may want to rethink that philosophy. Maybe they will, now that their safety net is gone.
With that said, the Eagles' favorite device for exuding their smarter-than-thou arrogance has just been destroyed. The Patriots have went wild in this free agency, throwing huge dollars at LB Adalius Thomas and bringing in RB Sammy Morris, and TE Kyle Brady. They also shipped second-round and seventh-round draft picks to the Miami for the services of WR Wes Welker and subsequently signed him to a lucrative deal. All of this action from the Patriots has to evoke a collective "what the hell?" around the league, particularly in Philadelphia where the Eagles are wondering what in the world has gotten into the NFL's true gold standard/
To throw a twist of irony into this, the Eagles also point out that the wide receiver position is not that important, a belief they believed the Patriots shared. The Eagles often reference New England's Super Bowl teams lacked the services of playmaking wide receivers. That may have very well been the case, but now there are reports that the Patriots have offered Eagles free-agent WR Donte Stallworth a six-year deal worth $32 million. Seems like a pretty decent contract offer for a team that doesn't value wide receivers, especially for a guy the Eagles consider expendable.
So what has gotten into the Patriots all of the sudden? It's rather simple, actually. New England was in the midst of building a dynasty so there was never any need to change their philosophy. Now that they have come up short the past two seasons in a loaded AFC, they see a need to add big time talent in order to get back to the top.
It is exactly the philosophy that the Eagles should have adopted when they were so close so many times. It is exactly the approach they should have had entering this period of free agency. Instead, they missed out then and appear to be missing out now, foolishly believing that they were/are on par with the Patriots. It must be a tough free agency period for the Eagles brain trust as they not only learn that the team they turned to as a reference for so many years no longer has the same philosophy, but that their own team remains idle with its success depending on a first-round pick that couldn't get on the field last year and a superstar quarterback that has missed significant time three of the past five seasons. They can no longer fall back and point to the success of the Patriots' philosophy. To throw salt on the wound, they are reportedly on the brink of taking one of the Eagles biggest offensive threats right out from underneath of them.
The Eagles may want to rethink that philosophy. Maybe they will, now that their safety net is gone.
A Doubting Thomas?
The Eagles on Friday announced the expected re-signing of defensive end Juqua Thomas. The initial reaction here was to blast the Eagles on what I initially thought to be a horrendous move. Why? Well, for a team that is rather conservative in how it spends its cap money, it is simply fascinating that the Eagles habitually spend money on mediocre talent at this position. Thomas had been non-existent his first five seasons in the league, accumulating only 5 total sacks. Last season, he had a "breakout" year, totaling 6 sacks and eventually replacing free-agent bust Darren Howard at the end of the season. Whoop-de-friggen-do. In fact, Scouts Inc. in it its rankings of available free agents listed Thomas on par with former-Eagle N.D. Kalu. Not exactly a ringing endorsement.
Still, a 5-year,$12.5 million deal in a market where completely absurd contacts are being signed in the early stages of free agency is a relative bargain. Even if Thomas never surpasses his sack totals from last year, the Eagles retain quality depth along their line at a very fair price.
Despite re-signing Thomas, the defensive end position still has some question marks. Will Darren Howard even come close to the production the Eagles thought he was capable of when they signed him last offseason? Will Jevon Kearse make it all the way back after his devastating knee injury last season? Will Trent Cole continue to emerge as a feared pass rushing threat in his third season? These are all questions the Eagles had better be damn sure to answer prior to the draft. If there is a guy sitting there in the third or fifth-round(the Eagles traded their fourth-rounder to the Saints) that could add some youth to an aging defensive end rotation the suggestion here is that the team seriously consider him. With the questions surrounding the position and the revelation at One NovaCare that Jerome McDougle completely sucks, I believe they should and will add another defensive end somewhere in the middle rounds of the draft.
Still, a 5-year,$12.5 million deal in a market where completely absurd contacts are being signed in the early stages of free agency is a relative bargain. Even if Thomas never surpasses his sack totals from last year, the Eagles retain quality depth along their line at a very fair price.
Despite re-signing Thomas, the defensive end position still has some question marks. Will Darren Howard even come close to the production the Eagles thought he was capable of when they signed him last offseason? Will Jevon Kearse make it all the way back after his devastating knee injury last season? Will Trent Cole continue to emerge as a feared pass rushing threat in his third season? These are all questions the Eagles had better be damn sure to answer prior to the draft. If there is a guy sitting there in the third or fifth-round(the Eagles traded their fourth-rounder to the Saints) that could add some youth to an aging defensive end rotation the suggestion here is that the team seriously consider him. With the questions surrounding the position and the revelation at One NovaCare that Jerome McDougle completely sucks, I believe they should and will add another defensive end somewhere in the middle rounds of the draft.
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