Any Interest in Colt McCoy?

Posted: July 14th, 2012 | Author: | Filed under: Philadelphia Eagles | 20 Comments »

For SB Nation Philly, I wrote about whether the Eagles should have any interest in dealing for Browns QB Colt McCoy.

When I first thought about this a while back, I was open to the idea.  The more I’ve thought about it (and seen how Colt has handled the situation), I’m now against the possibility.  Read the column to get my thoughts as to why.

I’m sure some of you will disagree.  Make a case for the move and let’s see if you can change my mind.

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Yesterday I made mention of former PSU QB Michael Robinson running over a Minnesota DB.  That was a signature play from the 2005 season and a moment I’ve always loved.  Until now.  A reader passed along news that the DB suffered some permanent damage on the hit.  Here is a 2007 article on the young man, Brandon Owens, and his struggles.

I love the violent nature of football, but any time a kid gets hurt that changes things.  Football is a game to be enjoyed.  When someone’s life is permanently altered, there is nothing fun about that.  I’ll certainly think differently when seeing the highlight in the future.

* * * * *

What do you guys think of players holding out, specifically Ed Reed?

He is set to make $7.2M this year.  He’s in the final year of his deal.  I find it a bit odd that he wants a new deal now, rather than hitting the open market.  He’ll turn 34 on 9/11 (what a terrible birth date, huh?).  Can you hand him a huge bonus?  Do you want to risk losing him or is this a point where that’s okay because of his age?

We let Dawk leave when he was 35 going on 36.  Can Reed last another 4 or 5 years?  He’s openly talked about retirement.  Ed played all of 2011 and has been relatively durable, but I think he’s worried about getting too beat up and having that affect his future.

I’m just confused by this.  He wants to protect his body by retiring before too long, but also wants one final huge deal.  Those two ideas don’t really mesh to me.  If you want to protect your body, play for the $7.2M this year and then sign a 1-year deal for 2013.  I’m sure the Ravens would pony up decent money.  If you’re looking for a $15M signing bonus, the team needs to feel a long term commitment from you.

Football is a brutally tough game.  I’m not against players trying to get maximum money.  I do get bothered when they start sending mixed messages and asking for treatment that doesn’t mesh well with running a team.  Players can’t get new deals too often.  There are times when your salary is going to be passed over by others.  Also, if the team commits to you, you need to commit to the team.  I’m just not real sure where Ed’s head is at right now.

I am glad the key contract issues aren’t happening in Philly this season.  Quiet days are a good thing.

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20 Comments on “Any Interest in Colt McCoy?”

  1. 1 SebastianAubrey said at 3:25 PM on July 14th, 2012:

    Adding Colt would give added comfort going into the season. It’s not out of the realm of possibility that Vick might get hurt. I’m not sure anyone can argue against having McCoy in there for sport duty as opposed to Kafka/Foles. One thing that doesn’t get mentioned is the fact that the media, fans and coaches keep pressuring Vick to avoid these unnecessary hits. But has made that priority number one. I’m sure it’s in the back of his mind about doing whatever it take to win is Vick’s main objective. I’m not sure we as Eagles fans will like the safe Vick. He’s never played that way and adding that part to his game may bring some unfavorable aspects.

  2. 2 Jack Waggoner said at 9:49 PM on July 14th, 2012:

    Wouldn’t make me any more comfortable to have Colt. I’d take my chances with Kafka. He’s had time to learn the system and has gotten some time to work with the other offensive players on the Eagles. Needs more strength, but you could probably say the same about Colt.

    I also don’t think Vick is going to “play it safe” so much. And that is not his priority going into this season. I think that he will try to get plays off more quickly, but not necessarily to avoid trouble as much as to throw defenses off-balance.

  3. 3 P_P_K said at 2:59 PM on July 15th, 2012:

    Agreed, take chances with Kafka. For what it’s worth — and I hate it when other guys say this because it doesn’t mean anything — Mike passes my eyeball test. I think the kid has potential.

  4. 4 ACViking said at 4:20 PM on July 14th, 2012:

    RE: Ed Reed’s Holdout

    T-Law:

    The Ravens are about 2 weeks from starting training camp. During the off-season, management added three rookies at safety, including 4th-rd pick Christian Thompson from S.Carolina St, along with free-agent Sean Considine (making the Ravens his 4th team in 3 years if he makes the roster.). The Ravens also have 3rd-year back up Emmanuel Cook and starter Bernard Pollard, along with Reed, at safety.

    It looks like the team moved through the off-season on the premise that Ed Reed would be one of the team’s starting safeties.

    So . . . if you’re Ed Reed’s agent, you have to believe you have more leverage then he’ll ever have again with the Ravens or any team in free agency next year.

    The Ravens are very thin at the position. I’m guessing that neither Cook nor Considine nor any of the rookies is a theat to Reed or a serious alternative for the Ravens..

    And the Ravens know they were a dropped-pass away from hosting the Patriots for a trip to the SB. “The Future is Now” for Baltimore.

    Brian Dawkins’ contract with Denver is the benchmark ($7.2 guaranteed I think).

    If you Reed’s agent, and your client’s willing, your advice has to be: “Let’s hit ’em now, while we still have the muscle.”

  5. 5 iskar36 said at 5:06 PM on July 14th, 2012:

    I agree with this. Also, I think all the talk of retirement has been about trying to get leverage (whether it is being done successfully or not, is a separate issue). I think he is telling the team, “I want to get paid, and will sit out if I don’t.” The team on the other hand is trying to call his bluff by not paying him. As a reaction to all of this, I think Reed is playing up the retirement card to show the team that he is willing to walk away from the game if he doesn’t get paid what he wants. I think Tommy is right in pointing out that it may negatively affect his negotiations if he comes off as being uncommitted, but his Reed’s story has changed a few times which tells me he went with his gut reaction and then his agent stepped in and told him how to handle the situation better.

  6. 6 TommyLawlor said at 7:15 PM on July 14th, 2012:

    You could be right about the retirement talk just being a message. If so, he’s doing a good job of selling that it’s legit.

  7. 7 TommyLawlor said at 7:14 PM on July 14th, 2012:

    From Reed’s perspective, it does make sense. I just wonder how much this frustrates the Ravens and maybe some of his teammates.

    Will be interesting to see if they pay him big $.

  8. 8 Jack Waggoner said at 10:19 PM on July 14th, 2012:

    Maybe they’ll toss some extra money his way without extending his deal. Kind of what the Eagles did with McNabb.

  9. 9 ian_no_2 said at 4:53 PM on July 14th, 2012:

    From a financial standpoint, Colt McCoy would be for the next two years a bargain compared to what Kyle Orton and Jason Campbell are making. You might be able to get him for a 7th and Kafka, or a straight up, assuming Shurmer and Heckert agree with Andy and Marty’s 2010 draft pick in hindsight, giving Kafka a lower pressure situation to play in. The question is whether you’d want to put Vick into a situation where you have a college star who feels entitled to play and possibly mouths off about it (or whether you’d want to motivate him that way, if you think Vick plays better with Kevin Kolb looking over his shoulder).

    McCoy is a gutty, confident player who tries to compensate for the fact that he has borderline skills to play in the NFL, but he has more physical skill and certainly more experience than Kafka. It also depends on what the Eagles really think about bringing Donovan back. I’d rather have McCoy go into a big game than Foles, Kafka, Edwards or Feeley, and he knows the WCO better than Dixon. You could also do the ‘Eagles QB flip trade’ next summer if all goes well. 4th rounder? No. 5th? 5th is not Howie’s style, he likes to negotiate better than that. 5th or 6th you’d better flip him next summer.

  10. 10 ACViking said at 4:56 PM on July 14th, 2012:

    RE: Colt McCoy

    What does L-I-N-D-R-O-S spell?

    T-R-O-U-B-L-E.

  11. 11 ian_no_2 said at 5:38 PM on July 14th, 2012:

    It would be much less of an investment than the Flyers had in Lindros.

  12. 12 ACViking said at 7:52 PM on July 14th, 2012:

    Can’t put a price tag on “Trouble”

  13. 13 Jack Waggoner said at 10:21 PM on July 14th, 2012:

    The thing is, he’s already in a better situation now in the sense that he has a better chance to be the starter. If he is already acting entitled to that position rather than being prepared to compete to keep his job, what does that say about what he would be like if he were here? Not sure I want to find out.

  14. 14 ian_no_2 said at 12:54 AM on July 15th, 2012:

    They could tape the Oshiomogho, Colt, and Colt show the night before the games.

  15. 15 ian_no_2 said at 9:04 AM on July 15th, 2012:

    they’d have two McCoys in the backfield too

  16. 16 the guy said at 11:49 PM on July 14th, 2012:

    I seriously cannot imagine how much it would suck to have 9/11 for your birthday if you live in the US. I always thought Christmas was bad, but 9/11 has to be the absolute worst birthday available.

  17. 17 TommyLawlor said at 1:17 AM on July 15th, 2012:

    I’ve got a buddy who has 9/11 for a birthday. It is awkward. Getting better as time goes by.

  18. 18 Cliff said at 12:36 AM on July 15th, 2012:

    I wish all players would handle their contract situations like Trent Cole.

  19. 19 Kristopher Cebula said at 2:51 AM on July 15th, 2012:

    just a few points of interest about ed reed. first of all, he doesn’t have an agent. he acts as his own agent. second, rumor has it that part of the reason for his holdout may be in protest that ray rice has not received a new deal. espn also mentioned something about flacco’s contract but not to sure on that

  20. 20 DaO_Z said at 2:08 PM on July 15th, 2012:

    I hope they don’t….just to keep away from having to hear “real mccoy” puns.