To Trade, Or Not To Trade
Posted: August 2nd, 2011 | Author: Tommy Lawlor | Filed under: Philadelphia Eagles | 62 Comments »Should Asante stay or go? That is the question. There is no simple answer to this situation. I think we’d all like to keep him around for 2011 so that we’d have 3 awesome cover corners. We’re making a Super Bowl run. Corner is a key position. That’s one spot where being deep is a really good idea.
Unfortunately, egos and personalities can complicate matters. Asante met with the media on Monday and gave some confusing answers. He opened up by talking about how happy he was to be back with the team. As he started to answer questions things started to sound different. He talked about wanting to be wanted. He made it sound like he was far from completely comfortable with everything that had gone down in terms of personnel moves.
Keeping all 3 CBs only works if the players allow it to work. We saw in 2008 that having a trio of CBs was far from a sure thing. Lito Sheppard acted like a jackass and played that way as well. There are some key differences. Lito wanted a raise at the time. He was furious that we gave a huge deal to Asante, but wouldn’t re-negotiate with him. Asante right now is fine with his contract. He already got a mega-deal from the Eagles.
Asante does see the writing on the wall. Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie – big CB who can be physical and press. Nnamdi Asomugha – big CB who is very physical and a master at press coverage. Curtis Marsh – big CB who has the potential to be outstanding physical, press cover guy. Asante is nothing like the 3 offseason additions. He knows he isn’t in the long term plans.
It would be great if Asante could step back and see the big picture. There is absolutely a place for him on the 2011 Eagles. Help us go get a Super Bowl. We’ll deal you next March. For now, sit tight and do your thing. Sure, you’ll lose a few snaps, but not that many. Asante is still a special playmaker and you want those guys on the field as much as possible.
In 2012 we will have Nnamdi and DRC as the starters. Hopefully Curtis Marsh or Trevard Lindley will have emerged as a starting caliber corner by then. Watch Marsh practice now and you can see just how naturally gifted he is. He’s also a really smart guy. He’s just raw. As he figures things out, the sky is the limit for him.
If Asante is able to buy into the notion of the 3 Amigos, we should keep him. If he’s ambivalent about it, we can still keep him. If he flat out shows us that he’s not going to accept the arrangement, we have to trade him. You don’t want someone on the team making waves. That makes life miserable for everyone.
The question is what happens if we deal him and then DRC or Nnamdi get hurt. You put Lindley on the field and see what he can do. He did play well at times last year. He’s not some hopeless prospect. Marsh might make a substantial jump between now and mid-season. He should get better everyday. I can’t wait to see him in preseason games. I’m also curious about Brandon Hughes. He looked good last year in the season finale and has done well so far at Lehigh, from what I can tell. I think Joselio Hanson needs to stay in the slot, but he could move outside in an emergency.
If we do trade Asante, what is his value? Real tricky question. He’s a blue chip player at a premium position. He’s also 30 and isn’t cheap. I don’t know that we have a realistic shot at getting maximum value for him.
SCENARIOS
Jets — I would love to deal him to the Jets for CB Kyle Wilson and a draft pick. Wilson is a 2nd year CB who struggled as a rookie. He’s got excellent potential.
Panthers — Carolina could use a CB. Plus, Sean McDermott is familiar with Asante. We could trade him for LB Dan Connor and a draft pick. Connor could then be a backup at MLB and SAM. Carolina has a young CB I like named Captain Munnerlyn, but he’s only 5’8, 186 so I’m not sure we’d have any interest in him. RB Mike Goodson had a good rookie year and could be a very good fit for us. We’d have to get picks with him, but he could be an excellent backup here.
Niners — I don’t see a lot on their roster that would interest us. LB Navorro Bowman could play MLB or WLB in our system. We might have to take just picks from them.
Lions — Looks like they could definitely use a CB, but I don’t see much in the way of interest on their roster. Draft picks.
Browns — Tom Heckert is the GM who ponied up big money to bring Asante to Philly. He could be interested in doing that again. Don’t know if the Eagles would be interested in WR/RS Josh Cribbs. LB D’Qwell Jackson could be of definite interest, but has struggled with injuries the last 2 years. Draft picks.
Broncos — With the uncertain status of Perrish Cox, Denver might need a CB. Don’t see a lot on their roster. LB D.J. Williams is talented veteran, but I don’t know if they’d be willing to deal him or he’d be someone we wanted. Can play inside or out. Productive player. They’d have to throw in a pick with him to get the deal done.
Patriots — I doubt they would have any interest, but there isn’t a sure thing across from Devin McCourty. The Pats have options (Bodden, Butler, Dowling), but you never know what Belichick is thinking. The only player from them I’d really want is Big Al. Logan Mankins would be interesting, but isn’t going anywhere. NE has the draft picks to deal, but I see this as a real longshot.
I know a lot of you would like to deal Asante for a RT. I just don’t see a good fit out there. That may change if we see some young players emerge in preseason games and then make veterans expendable. For not, I’m not seeing a RT that’s “the answer”. The guys we want aren’t available. The guys who are available are ones we don’t want.
* * * * *
There is no practice today. Players get the day off. For tonight’s post I’ll be addressing some of the questions you guys asked from last night and this morning.
Interesting piece I read today:
“Back in 2008, the Raiders traded two picks to the Falcons for cornerback DeAngelo Hall and signed him to a seven-year, $70 million deal with $24.5 million guaranteed. Oakland naturally expected quarterbacks to struggle to throw the ball against a combination of Hall and Asomugha, but teams simply avoided Asomugha and lit up the overmatched Hall. The Raiders cut Hall after eight games. The scary thing for the Eagles is that Rodgers-Cromartie is more like Hall than any other player in the NFL, both stylistically and in terms of production up to this point of his career. In 2010, Rodgers-Cromartie allowed 7.4 yards per pass on 108 targets last year, which was just the 24th-best average among the 36 corners who were targeted 80 or more times. If the Eagles roll Rodgers-Cromartie out in the starting lineup, teams will likely go to town on him.”
The solution that makes the most sense is to hold onto all three. Fans tend to think of the third cornerback spot as a bench role because teams usually don’t start the game in their Nickel (five-defensive back) package, but the Eagles would require a third cornerback a fair amount of the time. According to the Football Outsiders Game Charting project, opposing offenses used three or four wide receivers on 48.2 percent of all offensive plays against the Eagles last season. When they passed the ball, they had three or more wideouts on the field at a rate in excess of 60 percent.
If the Eagles keep all three, either Samuel or Rodgers-Cromartie will need to move into the slot for the first time in years. It makes more sense for Philadelphia to move the faster and more athletic Rodgers-Cromartie into the slot while keeping Samuel on the left side. It also gives them additional depth in case one of the players gets hurt — remember that the Asomugha upgrade comes after the team started journeyman special teamer Dimitri Patterson for part of 2010. Replacing Patterson with Asomugha is just about the single biggest upgrade a team could make over the course of one offseason; if the Eagles trade Samuel, the effects of that upgrade will be muted. By keeping Samuel, the Eagles ensure that they will have the best shot at getting what they paid for this offseason: the league’s best secondary”
First. 🙂
I say it again and again: the return of keeping Asante this year is MUCH higher than dealing him for future draft picks.
Especially since I don’t think Asante will become a locker room cancer.
@Dan
sorry, you were first. 😉
Awesome piece you’ve found. And I agree with every word!
Keep the DNA intact. I still like Air Force 3 though. 🙂
“It would be great if Asante could step back and see the big picture. There is absolutely a place for him on the 2011 Eagles. Help us go get a Super Bowl. We’ll deal you next March. For now, sit tight and do your thing. Sure, you’ll lose a few snaps, but not that many. ”
I remember an NFL analyst saying one time back in 08′ that signing players from NE is a bad idea. He said that those players have already won their superbowls, they have a huge ego and are only concerned about their paychecks. I think he might be right about Asante. He has already won 3 superbowls and at this point in his career, Asante has a lot of pride. He sees himself as a top 3 corner in the NFL and asking him to sit on the bench for a few plays will hurt his ego. He seems like the kind of guy who would rather be the “man” for a struggling team like the Broncos than be the 2nd best corner on a superbowl team.
One thing that will help keep DRC from getting lit up is:
Cole – Jenkins – Babin
Asante’s change in attitude are telling. Over the weekend it was “Asante doesn’t want to be traded.” Monday morning he shows up and says ” I’m happy to be here.”
By the afternoon, it was “I want to be where I’m wanted, etc, etc.” Sounds to me like Reid or Roseman talked to him at some point in the morning and gave him some information that made him have such a radical change of heart.
I wish he could stay, but it seems like the writing is on the wall.
I cannot emphasize how strongly enough I would like to keep all three CBs. DRC makes what, a mil? That’s less than Hanson makes for playing the slot. Yes our starting CBs will be making high salaries but individually or collectively they are not cap killers because Nnamdi took less money to come here and Asante’s contract really takes off next year.
Keep all three and let them stablize our otherwise extremely young back seven. And give us fans, and them as players, the pleasure of watching three Pro Bowl cornerbacks (two of them potentially Hall of Fame) playing in the same secondary on a legit Super Bowl contender.
A lot of pub on Matthews, but Marsh, in my humble opinion, has been the most impressive rookie in camp so far.
@ Waltz…
Interesting thoughts.
Samuel won 2 SBs in NE. Was still in college for first title. But your point is still valid. He’s already got the rings.
I just wanted to say thank you Tommy for all the fantastic articles you have posted recently. You clearly have been working hard to keep the blog updated and have done an amazing job.
@ JimmyK…
Very good to hear. You can see Marsh has big time potential. Maybe he’s our version of Sam Shields, the Packers rookie from last year.
@Tommy + JimmyK
GCobb has been KILLING Marsh every practice. Calls him a clear cut project. I’ve watched some clips and I tend to agree. The efforts’ there, but WRs were constantly killing him with dig routes. Marsh would run step for step with the WR, but he wouldn’t be able to plant and drive forward from the back peddle or in stride. I still like Marsh, but he’s not close to ready to seeing any meaningful NFL snaps. He’s #7 on the depth chart (Nnandi, DRC, Samuel, Hanson, Lindley, Hughes)
Maybe I am way off on this, but my interpretation of Asante’s attitude has been directed at the idea of being traded more than the idea of playing with Nnamdi and DRC. It seems to me that he would be just fine playing with the other two CBs (in fact, he may even be excited about that opportunity), but with all the rumors about it being “inevitable that the Eagles will trade him” he is upset and feeling unwelcomed. On top of that, if the FO can convince Asante that they are excited to have him here (which they obviously should be excited about, regardless of if they end up trading him or not), the ego problem shouldn’t be too big of a problem to get past considering both Nnamdi and DRC have publicly stated that they would be ok playing in the slot (in fact, Nnamdi sounded as if he would very much embrace that role).
Great analysis of the Asante situation.
Thanks.
I’m thinking that the new Eagles defensive line will be giving quarterbacks fits while the new CB’s close out the first option. That means a lot of off target passes and wounded ducks should be nabbed by our young athletic LBs and safeties. In summary I think the Eagles have the makings of a lights out defense.
Tommy, I would be interested to know how good you think our defense should be with the current personnel.
One of the concerns is how much money is tied up in the corner position. However, DRC is cheap and Asante’s salary doesn’t really jump until next year. Thus, I would keep him this year and trade him prior to the draft. This may lesson his trade value, but it ensures a dominant secondary even with an injury.
That said, if Marsh really does look good – which may be a function of no Jackson or Maclin – then we would have enough depth to maximize Asante’s value and trade him this pre-season.
If we are going to trade him this year, I would target an impact guy. He is, after all, a top 5 corner – which is a position with far higher positional impact than RT or LB. We ought to be able to get a stud back.
What about Eric Winston from the Texans? Athletic, durable RT entering his prime with a reasonable salary. I know that Houston already added Joseph, but they face Peyton twice a year and could use another top corner.
Almost inconceivable to me that Asante will make waives.
1) he’s making an obscene amount of money this year
2) Assuming NA is the blanket cover we hear he is, AS will actually get a lot of passes thrown to his guy this year. This has all the makings of the biggest year in terms of INTs of his entire career.
3) All in all, the Eagles are his best chance to win another SB this year.
Athletes do stupid things all the time, but unless AS has been told he’s a goner, I can’t imagine him actually wanting to leave at this point.
Mac is back!!!
Jeremy Maclin reported to Lehigh today.
And Ernie Sims signed with the Colts.
Great Eagles day.
Waltz wrote, “He sees himself as a top 3 corner in the NFL and asking him to sit on the bench for a few plays will hurt his ego. He seems like the kind of guy who would rather be the “man” for a struggling team like the Broncos than be the 2nd best corner on a superbowl team.”
Well, the reality is, and maybe Asante hasn’t thought about this, but he’ll miss quite a few snaps again this season due to injuries. He’s almost assured that he’ll miss at least one game, if not some snaps from game to game because of injury. That’s just his more recent history. Shocking for a guy that generally shies from big contact.
Good news on Maclin’s return!
Any word on his weight?
In my humble opinion I think the offensive line is our real MAIN worry…we have to keep Vick upright for the whole season to have any chance at playing late in the post season…last year he took way too many hits and sacks..RT is a priority…..any chance Shawn Andrews comes back..? Is he worth the risk?
“Mac is back!”
Tommy, you just made my day!
And thank god on Sims. I didn’t think there was any chance he’d be back, but now it’s guaranteed.
should he stay or should he go,
if he goes there could be trouble,
if he stays there could be double,
so come on and let him know…
RE: Shawn Andrews
No way, that guy stole 7 million from the Eagles over the course of two years. He wouldn’t take a pay cut to stay with the Giants. He’s not stable and there are so many better options out there. Hell, I’d rather take Alex Barron over them.
@Dan
I’d sign Shawn Andrews because of his talent, but there’s no way Andy would ever do it.
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Am I the only one who wishes we made Ernie Sims a fullback? He’s meant to hit guys.
Per Vick, Desean will also be reporting soon
This is offtopic, but, whats the deal with backup RB? I feel like thats one position we really need to address. My preference is Cadillac Williams, always liked that guy, and I think Ronnie Brown is another vet who we could use (he’s also used to being used in a rotation).
Clinton Portis is a good back and a good blocker, I can see him filling in if shady went down. Does the things we need our primary back to do.
@ Kevin, no you’re not… he was definitely miscast as a LB… he is like a guided missile the only downside of him as a FB is the possibility of him smashing down on our O-linemen by accident.
I wish everyone would jump off the “trade Asante” bandwagon. All this talk is just going to drive a wedge into the middle of the team.
Like Tommy says, if everyone buys into it, having 3 corners can and will work. But the more Asante gets pestered with media speculation about being traded, the less likely that is.
For all the good Roseman/Banner have done so far this offseason, allowing this speculation is going to put some kind of dent in it. Even if they want to trade him, it should have been kept private.
Tommy, Question,,, I’d love to see Brown have a break out pre-season and come out competing with Riley C. for the 5th spot. What’s your gut telling you from what you’ve seen from him so far in camp? Everyone is raving about his size and potential. I guess that’s all it is right now until we see him play.
Second, what was the word on what J Mac. had? Was it mono?
Iskar
I agree w u. I think he just wants to feel part of the plan. Just think, the guy played like a stud and had his best season last year, all the sudden he feels he is being replaced. He feels they want to trade him. If they don’t want to trade him this year, he knows it is coming next year.
I don’t buy that DRC would get lit up. I think he will surprise people. Dude is so fast. When he gets picks he take them to the house. He played on a horrible team last year. Wait till he plays with an organization like ours. Not to mention Cole and Babin rushing the passer. I like our whole Dline. I got a good feelin about Laws this year. And Hunt may surprise people.
There’s a shark in Indianapolis!
If u don’t get a 1st or a 2nd plus a little. Or a player you really like. You have to keep him. No way I am trading him for a 3rd round pick or something like that. I understand we want a superbowl this year but if we can get close to a 1st round pick for him, he is gone.
Does anyone remember a team having 3 corners like this and how it worked out? Its not comparable to GB. None of our 3 are like Woodson.
Anyone else get the feeling that Asante may be playing head games with the press? I like reading things into reading into things… and well… Asante is a smart dude so I wouldn’t put anything past him (not many footballs get past that studious cat either).
Isn’t it neat as an Eagles fan that our players are so good at scouting other teams that they can identify which ones are expendable?
(reference: Shady’s twitter statements about Osi)
There’s a shark in Indianapolis!
========================================hahahahahah
its so differnt that the eagles are now always talked about on national shows/articles.
It started w Vick and Desean but now its like Eagle mania. We used to be the ones that drafted a player and espn would go to commercial, and I would want to break something. Now everyone wants to talk about us
RE: media mis-reading Asante’s comments
Possible. He’s not a normal guy. You never know where he’s coming from.
I also was interested by the person who suggested that Asante just wants Eagles to let him know he’s wanted. Staying here does make lots of sense. He knows Reid. Nnamdi on other side means lots of passes coming his way. With Vick/Shady/DJax…we’ll have lead and other team will throw a lot. Real favorable situation for Asante.
The words “shark” and “Indianapolis” don’t go so well together.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USS_Indianapolis_(CA-35)
Hey Tommy, any way to get those thumbs up thumbs down buttons like they have on PFT?
RE: DeAndre Brown
I will be shocked if he makes the roster. Tons of potential, but he needs work. He is an ideal candidate for the Practice Squad.
He needs to show up big in PS games, as receiver and STer, to impress the coaches. He definitely looks the part of an NFL stud. Passing the eyeball test and playing well in games are worlds apart.
SIGNING! The Colts are loading up on first round busts. Ernie Sims is in their house. Sims has never mastered some of the finer points of player in the NFL like coverage for example. Without laying into him too much, he’s probably (position for position) the worst starter we’ve graded over the past three years. In 2010 he was our third lowest ranked 4-3 OLB and the worst for the two years previous. Colts fans, it’s nice you’ve signed a free agent, but try not to get too excited
RE: Shawn Andrews
I don’t think he has a chance to ever play for the Eagles again. Shawn really wore on Andy. That relationship started great, but went downhill. Right now it might be in the Marianas Trench.
Never say never. Time can heal wounds, but I doubt this one ever gets fixed.
Best way to use Sims: as WLB for the other team.
Speaking of LB, before the Dimitri feeding frenzy teams would try to beat the Eagles with their TE. It looks like that’s what everyone’s going to try now.
Taking away the wideouts with Nmandi and Asante is more important than being cute with Nmandi in the slot, but perhaps it may confuse the other team.
Asante may be reacting to the team not closing the door on trading him, and not wanting to be taken for granted. This is no big deal ‘ if’ it dies down.
Question for Tommy: What is the starting third and long DL right now?
I guess it would be Juqua, Babin, Jenkins, Cole. Hunt and Tapp are trying to crack this. There seem to be two kinds of defensive players in camp: guys who get yelled and cursed at all the time and camp bodies.
@ Nu B…
I’m doing some research on ways to improve the Comments Section. I know you guys have had a few complaints. I’ll see if that feature is something that can be accommodated.
Tommy: Yikes, I didn’t give much thought to the Shark/Indianapolis connection! I’m certainly not that clever/twisted. Apologies if I offended any sailors out there . . .
Tommy- Have you heard anything about why the trade of Bunkley to Cleveland fell through? Did he fail a physical?
thumbs up and down r pretty cool
Mac is back is tremendous news. I’ve been concerned his illness could be a long-term problem. He is the Eagles most well-rounded receiver and I’m betting he and Vick have a great year. Any updates on his health?
Asante is a fine cb but his lack of ability to tackle has been exposed repeatedly. He has also come across to me as a diva of sorts. I’m guessing he doesn’t like that he’s no longer the Alpha in the backfield. I’m also guessing he wakes up and realizes how much money he is making and how good this Eagles D can become. Keep him for this year’s Super Bowl quest, develop the youngsters, and keep options open for next year.
@Adam
Bunkley didn’t fail his physical. HE DIDN’T GO TO HIS PHYSICAL. Basically he exploited the rule that in order for a trade to be complete a player must complete a physical. So he decided if he didn’t go he couldn’t pass, the trade would be off, the Eagles would cut him and he would get to basically be a free agent. So the Eagles made lemonade and accepted a much worse deal from Denver to take him off their hands.
Yea I wonder how Morton would feel about the thumbs up and down button. Being able to post pictures would be nice.
AdamSchefter Filed to ESPN: Vikings cut OT Bryant McKinnie.
17 minutes ago
Any interest?!
Yea I wonder how Morton would feel about the thumbs up and down
==================================
i thought the same thing
@ Alex K…
Didn’t mean to make you think you did anything wrong.
I’ve just got a twisted mind and connected the dots when I saw the words together.
RE: B McKinnie
He’s out of shape and that’s one of the reasons MIN is cutting him.
Doubt the Eagles are interested, but McKinnie is a talented pass blocker. If we have a couple of poor showings in PS games, maybe our attitude changes.
Can’t imagine any time running right out there to grab McKinnie. He was cut by a team that didn’t have great options behind him.
@Shawn and CVD
If only we had a thumbs up/down button to decide if that feature would be appreciated on this board. :-p
@TSA
I don’t remember if it was Roseman or Banner who said it yesterday, but they said that there was more to it than Bunkley simply not showing up. Apparently something did not check out right with Bunkley so the trade was canceled. That scenario also makes a lot more sense considering how quickly the Eagles retraded him. If it was simply Bunk not showing up, I’m sure the Eagles would have given Bunk some time to calm down in hopes that he would have finally gone to Cleveland (similar scenario as Richard Seymore to Oakland).
Ronnie Brown to the Eagles. I love it. Will get limited snaps, but that’s probably how he’ll be most effective at this point in his career.
Our new backup RB is Ronnie Brown
RE: Sharks and USS Indianapolis…
I’ll never put on a life jacket again.
BREAKING NEWS: #Eagles have agreed to terms with former Dolphins RB Ronnie Brown on a one-year deal.
BREAKING NEWS: Jorrick Calvin frequents nail salons.
From philly.com (http://www.philly.com/philly/sports/eagles/Maclin-reports-to-Eagles-camp.html):
Cornerback Jorrick Calvin headed to a South Street nail salon, according to his Twitter account. “Getting pampered this chair feels so good on my back and this jet on my toes wow,” he posted.
This is what you want your teammates to find out…
Holy smokes on Ronnie…I think he is a great pickup…I just hope Andy and Marty don’t start using him as a wildcat
@ Baloophi…
Great Jaws reference. If only Jorrick Calvin would pay attention like that to football. Dude has the talent. He’s got to work harder.
RE: Ronnie Brown
Love the signing.
@Kevin
90 guys to watch at camp, so one set of eyes (mine) can just happen to catch a guy playing well at one point, while another pair of eyes (G Cobb’s) might catch the bad ones that I missed. But from what I’ve happened to catch so far, I’ve been very impressed.
That said, there’s no way in hell he’s 7th on the depth chart.