Free Agency Q&A

Posted: March 11th, 2014 | Author: | Filed under: Philadelphia Eagles | 30 Comments »

Big news tonight. The Bucs are shopping Darelle Revis, but there aren’t expected to be any takers. They will then reportedly cut him before Wednesday afternoon. Should the Eagles have interest?

Yes. At his best, Revis is a game-changing CB. There are concerns. Revis will still cost a lot of money. He’ll turn 29 this summer. He hasn’t been elite in the last couple of years. But Revis should be all the way back from his ACL injury this year. He might not be at the top of his game, but he could still be a very good CB.

The comparison to Nnamdi doesn’t work well. Revis has much better ball skills. Revis is a much better tackler. He also played on winning teams and thrives in pressure situations. Revis is a year younger and has a year less NFL wear and tear on his body. If you could sign him to a short deal, he would be worth the risk. I would not commit long term dollars to him. Besides, Revis would want a raise in 2 years if he played well anyway.

I know I’ve said it didn’t make sense for the Eagles to throw money at free agent CBs, but Revis is an exception because of  how good he can be at his peak. He’s worth some risk.

* * * * *

Why do I say no to Sproles?

53-220-4.2
57-221-3.9

The top figure is Sproles rushing stats for the year. The bottom? Nick Foles. Also, Foles had more runs of 20 or more yards and had more TDs.

Sproles had down numbers as a returner as well. The one place he’s still a weapon is as a receiver. I just don’t think the Eagles need a RB that specializes in catching passes in space.

No to McCluster?

He was 53-511-9.6 this year as a receiver. Those aren’t compelling numbers. He isn’t a KOR. McCluster did have a pair of PR scores, but they came against a bad Giants team and a bad Skins team. I don’t think McCluster would be a bad addition. I just don’t anticipate the Eagles going for him. He’s been a disappointment in the NFL and it isn’t like you can say he hasn’t gotten any chances.

Rolando McClain comeback?

The Eagles could have interest in McClain. They love SEC guys and McClain is a Bama guy. I don’t know if DeMeco Ryans is friends with him (due to the Bama connection), but Ryans could be an excellent mentor. McClain has good talent. He has to get his head on straight. He’s not the ideal Chip Kelly guy, but for the price of a cheap contract, he’s the type you take a chance on.

Shea McClellin at OLB.

Some of you are just making generalized statements. Yes, he played DE for the Bears. But McClellin isn’t pure DE. Boise used him creatively and McClelling played OLB at the Senior Bowl. He looked pretty good doing that. He could easily make the transition to 3-4 DE. I think he could play OLB in the 4-3 where rushing the passer is less of a priority than playing the run and underneath coverage.

Here is my pre-draft write-up.

Vontae Davis of interest?

The Eagles loved him coming out of college. He might have been the pick if Jeremy Maclin hadn’t slid down. Would the Eagles still want him and have interest in throwing a bunch of money his way? Possible, but I still have my doubts.

_


30 Comments on “Free Agency Q&A”

  1. 1 ICDogg said at 12:25 AM on March 11th, 2014:

    For those wondering whether Jairus Byrd is worth the hype, one OC told me he was best safety his team faced in '13. "By a lot." Does it all.— P. Schrager (@PSchrags) March 11, 2014

  2. 2 Insomniac said at 1:03 AM on March 11th, 2014:

    The Browns don’t count though.

  3. 3 SleepingDuck said at 12:27 AM on March 11th, 2014:

    I think it was PFT that’s reporting Davis is closing in on a deal. Today the 9ers released Rodgers and his brother (Vernon) is on the team, so there’s speculation he’s signing with them.

  4. 4 SleepingDuck said at 12:50 AM on March 11th, 2014:

    Was going to post what ICDogg posted, so ignore this

  5. 5 Charlie Kelly said at 12:50 AM on March 11th, 2014:

    get revis and byrd and lets draft a WR and de’anthony thomas

  6. 6 ICDogg said at 12:50 AM on March 11th, 2014:

    Former Jets exec @AriNissim says he hears the Eagles, Raiders, Browns and Jets are all going to pursue Darrelle Revis.— Bart Hubbuch (@HubbuchNYP) March 11, 2014

  7. 7 Iskar36 said at 12:57 AM on March 11th, 2014:

    Well… The next couple days should be interesting. I think a deal has to get done by Wed. at the latest because part of Revis’ contract becomes guaranteed. I imagine that will really push down the value so hopefully the Eagles will not have to give up a ton of value in this trade if they pull the trigger.

  8. 8 SleepingDuck said at 1:00 AM on March 11th, 2014:

    I’m not sure if the former Jets exec is referring to the possibility of a trade or if/when Revis hits FA

  9. 9 Charlie Kelly said at 1:01 AM on March 11th, 2014:

    he said he doesnt think a trade is likely, revis will be cut

  10. 10 SleepingDuck said at 1:02 AM on March 11th, 2014:

    Got it. Just saw his follow up tweet. Thanks.

  11. 11 DanJ3645 said at 7:05 AM on March 11th, 2014:

    Also if he is on the Buc’s roster on Thursday the Jets get a 3rd round pick instead of a 4th round pick

  12. 12 Insomniac said at 1:06 AM on March 11th, 2014:

    How much would Revis even cost now? He’s obviously not worth his current contract.

  13. 13 Maggie said at 2:39 AM on March 11th, 2014:

    It’s all about politics, draft picks and money in Tampa/NYJets.

  14. 14 SteveH said at 1:28 AM on March 11th, 2014:

    Gonna be very interesting to see what kind of a deal Revis is going to get. I’m guessing 9 or 10 mil per year.

  15. 15 Frencheaglesfan said at 1:55 AM on March 11th, 2014:

    I was not really in for Byrd, Safety is overrated in my opinion, but Revis, he absolutely deserves 8-9 m$ per year. A great cb is more important than great safety and he could mentor a good prospect that we can take in the 3rd or 4th.

  16. 16 Frencheaglesfan said at 1:58 AM on March 11th, 2014:

    I mean, Jenkins Allen Fletcher Boyking Revis would be a terrific secondary (on paper, I didn’t forget that on paper DRC samuel Aso was terrific on paper too)

  17. 17 Maggie said at 2:37 AM on March 11th, 2014:

    I don’t know whether safety or corner is more important, just think Revis would make the other people around him better. therefore make the team better.

  18. 18 ICDogg said at 7:54 AM on March 11th, 2014:

    It’s hard enough to find “great” anything that I’m not going to be too fussy as to exactly which starting defensive position where we get someone “great”

  19. 19 D3FB said at 2:36 AM on March 11th, 2014:

    Sam Shields just got 9 mil a year. Verner is expected to get at least 10 mil a year. Revis is going to cost at least 11-12 a year.

  20. 20 Maggie said at 2:36 AM on March 11th, 2014:

    Revis. BPA. remember? I watched some stuff on Revis rehabbing after his surgery. They were already flexing his knee while he was regaining consciousness. He worked like a man possessed for months. That kind of determination plus his talent would make any Front Office stop and think. Wonder what $$? Forget all that Revis Island stuff. This would be a true team player I think and don’t imagine the locker room would be too upset at his salary. I’ve seen other NFL players express their admiration. He would be a “difference maker” and make the other people around him better.

  21. 21 Sifter said at 2:48 AM on March 11th, 2014:

    I like the idea of kicking Rolando McClain’s tyres. He may be ruled out on character grounds anyway…but Eagles should be squeezing DeMeco Ryans leadership/mentoring value dry while they can, and in my mind that means signing a flawed, cheap, but talented backup and/or drafting a LB as his future replacement this year. There’s a few guys around in FA this year like Perry Riley, Sharpton from the Texans, maybe even Brandon Spikes – young players who haven’t been great, but still have talent and potential that might be tapped with some veteran guidance. A cheap pickup of one of these types at ILB would please me.

  22. 22 Dominik said at 4:16 AM on March 11th, 2014:

    I don’t know if Chip would like what he would (probably) hear from Belichick, whom I’m sure he’d call if we would want to sign Spikes.

  23. 23 Jarrod said at 8:53 AM on March 11th, 2014:

    I would absolutely love to see us sign McClain. Former first round pick. Contract would be cheap and little guaranteed money. If it panned out we could resign him and be set at ILB for the forseeable future. Well worth the risk IMHO.

  24. 24 planetx1971 said at 3:14 AM on March 11th, 2014:

    Take away Bryce Browns 65 yd. TD run vs. the demoralized, non existent Bears run D & you’re looking at 74 carries for 249 yds,1 TD & a 3.3 yd avg. That’s why I still wouldn’t mind seeing him traded for a pick in this draft & Sproles as a temporary replacement. By all accounts he’s great in pass protection, caught 71 balls last year & even slowing down, he’s a better KR than anyone we have IMO. I figure Brown is a goner anyway as soon as he’s a FA. Might as well have a savvy vet with a FAR more diverse skill set is my thinking. Really bugs me we have so few picks in such a deep draft. Any pick at all we could get for him would make me happy. Sproles or no Sproles. Heck, just give Polk more work & see if Tucker works out would be ok too.

  25. 25 eagleyankfan said at 7:36 AM on March 11th, 2014:

    I never understood why people think these back ups as “untouchables” anyway. They are ok players. And that’s about it….

  26. 26 bubqr said at 6:22 AM on March 11th, 2014:

    I’d roll the dice for Revis. Easy. regardless of age, that is prime talent at arguably the 2nd or 3rd most important position on the team.
    Moreover, the Eagles are deemed to be a contender sooner rather than later, so we got our chance.
    The issue is, the Pats, Broncos, can probably appeal to him a lot too, if he wants to play for an instant contender.

    Funny to think that the CBs we are now looking for in this defense are tall CBs that can press. Anyone know where is that Nnamdi Asomugha guy playing now?

  27. 27 A_T_G said at 6:44 AM on March 11th, 2014:

    I am excited to hear Revis is going to be available. I was getting worried that when we sign Byrd, Ward, and Verneer, whoever we plug in at the other corner was going to be the obvious chink in the armor.

  28. 28 GermanEagle said at 7:16 AM on March 11th, 2014:

    One of Bill Polian’s top free agency rules is that you don’t pay a free agent more than your A and B+ players on your team.
    Now I’m asking you where Byrd would rank in this regard? Would he be one of our A or B+ players and how much do these earn?!

  29. 29 eagleyankfan said at 7:32 AM on March 11th, 2014:

    “He’s not the ideal Chip Kelly guy, but for the price of a cheap contract” — no — no — no … either you(not you specifically) buy into Chip’s scheme or you don’t. You don’t take players just because they are cheap. You find the guys that are right for your system. This shouldn’t be a “the more PBR we drink, the better she looks” kind of team…

  30. 30 Jerry Pomroy said at 9:29 AM on March 11th, 2014:

    I don’t get it. For weeks we talk about FA, buying cheap/smart, signing high character guys that fit Chip’s system. But now here we’re talking about signing a 29yo CB that’s currently making $16M & is most likely going to get somewhere around $12M in FA if/when Bucs cut him?? Sounds like a back pedal to me. I’d keep my ear to the ground, but wouldn’t jump to pay Revis $12M/yr. We’re talking about at his best he’s worth that and we haven’t seen him at his best since the injury. Too much risk & not quite enough reward as he’s 29 & most likely on down side of career. If I’m signing an older player on the downside of his career (if released), I’m looking more so at Ware than Revis.

    McClain?? Really?? Stop getting caught up in the moment. McClain is absolutely NOT what this team needs of they’re looking to build a culture of cohesiveness and identity. Sorry, let someone else take that chance.