Dion Lewis is First Rookie to Sign

Posted: July 27th, 2011 | Author: | Filed under: Philadelphia Eagles | 50 Comments »

Adam Caplan reported on Twitter that Dion Lewis and the Eagles reached a 4-year deal worth about $2.2M.  Excellent news.  A couple of national writers have been posting notes that the new rookie pay scale has teams confused and is slowing down signings.  I don’t doubt things are moving slow at the top.  Still, it’s good to see the first rookie deal get done.  Dion is the ice-breaker.

Danny Watkins is up at Lehigh, but not with the team.  Les Bowen reported that Watkins agent, former Eagle Joe Panos, is working with the Eagles on a deal.  The specific quote was “nothing’s imminent, but we’re working on it”.

That’s progress.  We need the rookies signed quickly.  They can’t practice until they are under contract.

* * * * *

Jason Babin was on PFT Live today and said the Eagles are one of 3 teams he’s talking to.  Babin is also having discussions with Chicago and Atlanta.  The Falcons wanted Charles Johnson.  That didn’t happen so they’re onto plan B.  Chicago wants a pass rusher to put opposite of Julius Peppers.

I hope the Eagles get this done.  Babin knows the scheme and Jim Washburn.  He knows Andy Reid.  He knows the Eagle way of doing things.  Real good fit.  Big question is money.  Hard to say what Babin is looking for.  He’s older and only has one big year, but that was last year.  He wants a payday, but also knows he can’t expect Charles Johnson money.

* * * * *

Adam Caplan mentioned earlier today that if Babin didn’t work out for the Eagles, the team could pursue Titan DE Dave Ball.  He played RDE for them and had a career high 7 sacks.  Ball is a big guy.  Okay athlete.  Good effort player.

A few readers have asked about Titans DE Jacob Ford (geez – how many did they have?).  He spent his rookie year on IR.  He then had 12.5 sacks in the next 2 years as a backup.  He was expected to start in 2010, but got hurt and lost his job to Babin.  Ford has ability, but durability issues hurt his value.  He could be of interest.  Goes 6’4, 252 so he’s got some size, but is hardly huge.

* * * * *

Winston Justice told Les Bowen that his knee is day-to-day.  We’ll see how this goes.  He had surgery a while ago, but it takes time to adjust from rehab to football.

* * * * *

No major updates on the Kolb situation.  A couple of sources today mentioned optimism about the deal getting done.  They didn’t say it would happen this afternoon, but there is a sense of optimism.

I think you can look at it this simply…the Cardinals need a QB.  Need.  They want Kolb.  The Eagles want to deal him.  Things are moving slowly, but something will get done.  This isn’t Donovan McNabb for a 6th rounder or Jeremy Jarmon for Jabbar Gaffney.  Kolb for DRC and a pick is a complex deal.  Needs to be fair to both teams.  That said, hurry up.  I’m tired of waiting.

* * * * *

I mention this every year, but it bears repeating.  The Eagles are a popular team for agents to use.  Agents will leak rumors to the info guys (Schefter, Mort, etc.) and use us as a team that is interested in their client.  The goal is to create a market for the client.

So far we’ve been linked to:

DE Ray Edwards
OT Doug Free
DE Jason Babin (verified)
WR Plaxico Burress
RB Reggie Bush
DE Charles Johnson

Some of that is legit, but some is just driven by agents trying to drum up interest in their clients.  Just because something is reported doesn’t make it true.  Mike Lombardi is the worst.  I don’t know what his success rate is for scoops, but it’s bad.  Adam Schefter is also used by agents quite a bit.  Mort less so.  Jay Glazer is the one guy I truly trust.  Adam Caplan is an excellent source for Eagles news.  Not sure about him and other teams.


50 Comments on “Dion Lewis is First Rookie to Sign”

  1. 1 Arby said at 4:09 PM on July 27th, 2011:

    OR, you could just use: “Hurry Up. I’m tired of waiting.”
    Your call.

  2. 2 Tommy Lawlor said at 4:12 PM on July 27th, 2011:

    Tweet from Agent Mark Slough:

    “Since FA’s can’t sign till 6pm Fri teams reluctant to put best offer on table & let agents shop it. Expect flurry of signings this weekend”

  3. 3 Tommy Lawlor said at 4:12 PM on July 27th, 2011:

    CB Curtis Marsh just said on Twitter that he agreed to deal with Eagles. Good news.

  4. 4 Tommy Lawlor said at 4:15 PM on July 27th, 2011:

    Nate Allen needs a calculator. Or a lie detector test.

    Told Jeff McLane his knee is 100%.

    Told Les Bowen his knee is 90-95%.

    Told Eagles Insider his knee is 95 to 99%.

    C’mon Nate. Get your story straight. Quit living in a web of lies.

    He did say he’s going to slowly work into practice until he’s got full confidence in the knee.

  5. 5 Iowa Eagle said at 4:15 PM on July 27th, 2011:

    Tommy:
    I seen Caplan tweeted that the Eagles and Lions were showing interest in Tulloch. I think you mentioned him in a previous article… what are your thoughts on him? Where would he fit in at LB, ect?

  6. 6 CVD said at 4:25 PM on July 27th, 2011:

    “Will we be able to be happy about this off season if we come away with DRC, Albert, Delhomme, and the UDFAs?”

    i would be happy with that. as long as we get a few players we can hope become steals, like a leanord weaver type. i think the eagles are really planning on getting a few guys like that

  7. 7 Tommy Lawlor said at 4:25 PM on July 27th, 2011:

    Tulloch played MLB behind Jim Washburn’s Wide-9 in Tennessee so I think he could fit in here as well.

    I do not see the Eagles going after him hard. Caplan just said on Twitter he thinks the Lions are the odds on favorites to get Tulloch.

    I like Tulloch, but not as much as everyone else. I’m fine with the Eagles going for him, but it won’t kill me to see him go elsewhere.

    Stew could still end up as MLB here. Eagles are letting him shop himself to other teams. We’ll see how that goes.

  8. 8 McG said at 4:35 PM on July 27th, 2011:

    Just read that Stew may be visiting with the Rams…

  9. 9 Tommy Lawlor said at 4:36 PM on July 27th, 2011:

    Caplan says someone is offering Tulloch $6M per season. My guess…not the Eagles.

    Bruce Gradkowski signed with Cincy.

    Plax is down to PIT or NYG.

    Brandon Stokely to WAS. They’re getting older.

  10. 10 Iowa Eagle said at 4:38 PM on July 27th, 2011:

    Les Bowen:
    The Stew Bradley mystery might be clearing. St. Louis Post Dispatch reports Rams interested. #Eagles probably not psyched for Stew bid war

  11. 11 Bernard Arnault said at 4:39 PM on July 27th, 2011:

    Adam Schefter reported, Kolb will be dealt to the Cardinals for DRC and a draft pick later this week. The pick is not specified, but all other facets of the trade have been confirmed.

  12. 12 iskar36 said at 4:46 PM on July 27th, 2011:

    Apparently Eagles have signed everyone but Watkins, Havili, and Lloyd

  13. 13 Iskar36 said at 4:47 PM on July 27th, 2011:

    Above is according to Jeff McLane btw.

  14. 14 Stephen said at 4:50 PM on July 27th, 2011:

    Thats good news about the rooks. I bet the contract guys have got to be going out of their minds trying to get so many deals done so quickly.

  15. 15 Tommy Lawlor said at 4:55 PM on July 27th, 2011:

    Great news about the rookies. Casey Matthew and J Jarrett may be starting pretty soon. They need as much practice as possible.

    Now get Watkins done and I’m a happy camper.

  16. 16 Baloophi said at 4:56 PM on July 27th, 2011:

    RE: Nate Allen and Math

    I’ve found that injury speculation as a percentage has experienced rampant inflation over the years (probably in relation to free agency) so what was 80% healthy ten years ago is now announced as 95%.

    I used to think anything under 100% (eg. “My knee is 99.9% back”) automatically meant “75%” but now – in a world where athletes pledge to give 110% – I think until someone says their knee is 150% I’ll just assume their not healthy.

  17. 17 Tommy Lawlor said at 5:03 PM on July 27th, 2011:

    @ Baloophi…

    Injury speculation inflation??? What am I, Paul Krugman? More like Jack Klugman, actually.

    Athletes really are a terrible source of info. They throw out numbers that sound good. My all time favorite was when TO said he was 81%. Now that’s marketing.

    Let’s just hope Nate is practicing full speed in 7 to 10 days.

  18. 18 Donald said at 5:08 PM on July 27th, 2011:

    T.O was hilarious. He could have been the Shaq of the NFL had he not been such a jackass.

  19. 19 Baloophi said at 5:08 PM on July 27th, 2011:

    Nate will be practicing in 7.6 days. He just feels it.

  20. 20 Iowa Ealge said at 5:13 PM on July 27th, 2011:

    I know he’s not a vet and not the ideal backup we’re looking for, but isn’t Matt Moore a free agent?

  21. 21 Tommy Lawlor said at 5:23 PM on July 27th, 2011:

    I think Matt Moore is a FA. Could be of interest. Played well late in 2009. Has some talent..

    @ Baloophi…

    Thanks for the math. I’m 92% confident in seeing Nate in 7.6 days.

  22. 22 Iowa Eagle said at 5:28 PM on July 27th, 2011:

    I thought he was going to have lots of potential after watching a few games of his in 2009… I wonder what happened in 2010.. having to slipt reps with Jimmy, O-line? Hmmm

  23. 23 Tommy Lawlor said at 5:30 PM on July 27th, 2011:

    Andy says for now:

    C – Jamaal Jackson
    RG – Danny Watkins
    RT – Winston Justice … depending on knee

  24. 24 eagles nut said at 6:09 PM on July 27th, 2011:

    Chicago Sun-Times says Bears-Babin talks are cooling down while Eagles-Babin is heating up.

  25. 25 PhxPhilly said at 6:19 PM on July 27th, 2011:

    Great about the rookies. CBA and short time made it fairly easy and a high priority. Good job by Eagles to first get some top UDFA’s then sign their rookies so the players who can actually play can get started.

    Not happy to hear about Tavaris Jackson. I thought he would be the best choice as a backup for Vick due to similar scheme (from Childress), athleticism (similar playcalls as Vick), and playoff experience. I was hoping other teams basically forgot about him and Eagles could give him a bit extra money and potential high profile team to play on to keep him away from the ‘compete for a job’ teams.

  26. 26 mcud said at 6:54 PM on July 27th, 2011:

    Re: Nate Allen’s web of lies

    Nate: “My estimate of my knee recovery is true. And by true I mean false. They’re all lies. But they’re entertaining lies, so in the end, isn’t that the truth? The answer, of course, is ‘no.”

  27. 27 mcud said at 7:10 PM on July 27th, 2011:

    Re: Dion Lewis is First Rookie To Sign

    He could also conceivably be the first rookie of this draft class to be cut.

  28. 28 Eric said at 7:32 PM on July 27th, 2011:

    Caplan says he’s going on Fanatic with a scoop on Babin.

  29. 29 CVD said at 7:50 PM on July 27th, 2011:

    chaney to play the strong side??

  30. 30 Name said at 7:50 PM on July 27th, 2011:

    per caplan

  31. 31 Iowa Eagle said at 8:24 PM on July 27th, 2011:

    I say we sign Nate Clements to scare the Cardinals into thinking that we might be shutting down negotiations, then once we get the offer from them we’re looking for… trade Clements and get even more picks!!! LOL

  32. 32 eagles nut said at 8:44 PM on July 27th, 2011:

    SI_JimTrotter Jim Trotter
    Az will surrender DRC, a No. 2 pick & a new contract for kolb that likely includes AT LEAST $30 million guaranteed. i’d rather have orton.

    Not sure if he’s officially reporting it as a done deal or just tossing out his opinion based on the speculation.

  33. 33 mcud said at 9:08 PM on July 27th, 2011:

    Florio keeps banging the same drum, that Kolb is overrated, and that QBs that leave Philly aren’t nearly as good as when they’re still here.

    And I agree. That’s why I want the Eagles to do whatever it takes to get AZ’s 1st rounder in this deal. I’d bet it ends up being a top 10 selection. If it takes Kolb and a 3rd to get DRC and their 1st, then do it.

  34. 34 eagles nut said at 9:13 PM on July 27th, 2011:

    Trotter is now claiming he didn’t say it was a done deal even though his twitter basically says that.

  35. 35 Cliff said at 9:18 PM on July 27th, 2011:

    Since when did Kyle Orton become so good? All of these writers and analysts insisting Orton would be a better option for the Cards are crazy. Maybe they’re saying Orton is a better fit because they know the Cards ownership is equally as crazy. Either way, signing Orton doesn’t signal to your franchise and Larry Fitzgerald that you’re serious about building a winning organization.

  36. 36 Tommy Lawlor said at 9:30 PM on July 27th, 2011:

    RE: Kyle Orton

    Better player than many fans give him credit for, but not a guy you want as a long term starter.

    RE: Trotter / scoop

    He’s had a couple of questionable scoops on the Kolb deal. Remember when he said we were asking about some surprise player?

  37. 37 TSA said at 9:30 PM on July 27th, 2011:

    @Cliff

    I mean isn’t it obvious? Clearly the quarterback who is painfully average and is so awesome that two teams have now decided they don’t want him anymore is much much much better than the younger player with a much higher ceiling? Screw the national media trying to deflate Kolb.

  38. 38 Tommy Lawlor said at 9:32 PM on July 27th, 2011:

    RE: Kolb / Arizona

    He might actually be better there. Workhorse WR to feed ball to. Good running game. Balanced offense. Won’t have Philly weather to deal with.

    Does need good blocking. Big question out there.

    Florio gets stuck thinking in ruts. Can be very, very annoying.

  39. 39 Cliff said at 9:38 PM on July 27th, 2011:

    Can’t remember the last time I visited PFT. Can’t imagine how much NFL news I miss because of my complete dislike for anything Florio writes. God bless Tommy Lawlor.

  40. 40 Name said at 9:40 PM on July 27th, 2011:

    lol. McNabb finally gets to go to Minnesota and Sidney Rice leaves

  41. 41 Dave S said at 9:46 PM on July 27th, 2011:

    I could have sworn Babin burnt some bridges with the Eagles after Mikell made a few comments after that season about players complaining and not being team guys, etc. I was pretty sure Babin was definitely one of them.

  42. 42 ian no 2 said at 9:52 PM on July 27th, 2011:

    Reportedly the McNabb deal was delayed by a long phone call in which Shanahan asked the Vikings if they were sure they wanted him, because he has a long list of defects that he has been slow to point out, after he listed his house for sale under the title, “Cat hair, no sunlight, high utility bills.”

    McNabb and Hasselbeck are both going to be in situations where it’s unlikely the franchise rookie is going to play well any time soon, especially Hasselbeck, who perhaps chose the Titans knowing the Locker was going to stink. McNabb could very well be the future of the Vikes if he plays well there.

    The Eagles have been signing a lot of offensive UDFAs at the skill positions, with just two defensive linemen. I think the appeal is clear “I want to play with Michael.” Also, Perry Baker has already done a backwards DJax fall into the end zone his Fairmont State’s Youtube channel exhaustively documents their athletic dept. Perhaps Scat Backs World did a feature on how long Reid stuck with Lorenzo Booker.

  43. 43 eddie said at 9:59 PM on July 27th, 2011:

    apparently we also got derrick locke. you RB are fast! the preseason should be fun. too bad ill be Europe and miss week 1-3 for the preseaon. anyone has a website i can watch when i get back?

  44. 44 Tommy Lawlor said at 10:05 PM on July 27th, 2011:

    @ eddie …

    Saw the report on Derrick Locke. Highly sought after UDFA.

    NFL.com had a package where you could watch games online last year. Reasonable cost.

  45. 45 Tommy Lawlor said at 10:08 PM on July 27th, 2011:

    RE: Babin

    I’ve not heard a bad word about him.

    Chris Clemons was the one player that really PO’d teammates.

    Omar Gaither had some moments where he was awkward. At times he told people that playing STs was beneath him.

    Sean Jones was the other vet who I think was too much of a me-player.

    The Eagles have had Babin targeted for months. They want him. He clearly didn’t burn any bridges. Heck, I’m not sure he even dripped candle wax on them.

  46. 46 Sjampen said at 10:15 PM on July 27th, 2011:

    We’ve heard alot about how well DRC fits here, how good value it seems to be and so on and i praise the move if it happens(and are willing to submit my soul to Tommy, since he yet again called it 79 years before any of the “insiders” did).

    One thing i do have some thoughts about is, what does DRC actually thinks of the Eagles and him coming here? Have you heard anything Tommy? Does he like the team, can he deal with Asante being here, is he willing to be the physical number 2 guy like Sheldon?

  47. 47 ian no 2 said at 10:28 PM on July 27th, 2011:

    SJampen, DRC already did an interview campaigning to come here..

  48. 48 Matt said at 11:06 PM on July 27th, 2011:

    Vince Young and Major Applewhite never overlapped at Texas. Major Applewhite and Chris Sims went back and forth as starters.

    Chance Mock, an upperclassman who backed up both Sims and Major was the starter during VY’s frosh season. But Vince eventually took his job by midseason–they split some time but by the bowl game VY took the majority of the snaps. He never looked back.

    Fisher never wanted VY and jerked him around. I dont think he’s super-coachable, but I do think he has gotten a bad rap.

  49. 49 Tommy Lawlor said at 11:22 PM on July 27th, 2011:

    @ Matt…

    You’re right. My memory is so distinct, but so dead wrong. Thanks for the correction.

    The quote from Mack Brown is still accurate and I do have severe questions about VY’s coachability.

  50. 50 Matt said at 2:12 AM on July 28th, 2011:

    Tommy,

    You are the freaking man. I’ve read your stuff pretty much everyday for the last 3 years—you are allowed to make one mistake every once and a while. Keep up the good work. as an out-of-town iggles superfan, I seriously don’t know what I would do without your insight.