Derek Landri Update

Posted: March 27th, 2012 | Author: | Filed under: Philadelphia Eagles | 52 Comments »
Landri

Yo Joe, Howie, and Andy...why don't you guys quit reading Iggles Blitz for one second and re-sign me. And bring back the 20-foot tall giant behind me while you're at it.

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Les Bowen offered this news on Twitter:

I think (hear) DT Derek Landri will be on somebody’s roster by the end of the week. Dunno if it’ll be Eagles.

That’s not encouraging.  Jeff McLane responded that the “Birds very doubtful”.  Uh oh.

How am I going to handle this?

My first thought is to get Wulfgar, Shakka, and Hans Gruber to help me take the right hostages so that we can demand the Eagles re-sign Landri.  Does anyone know if the UN has a branch in Philly?  What about the Nakatomi Corporation?

Maybe my friends Charlie, Dennis, and Mac could go have a talk with Howie/Andy.  Charlie is like a lawyer and is a great negotiator.  Mac knows some karate moves and that can always come in handy.

Alas, I must let the situation play out and just hope for the best.  And get ready to go on a 3-county suicide spree (not as easy as it sounds).

As I’ve written in the past, the problem is fit.  Mike Patterson is the starting NT.  Antonio Dixon is the backup NT.  Landri was the backup NT last year.

Cullen Jenkins is the starting under tackle (UT).  We have no backup UT right now.  Trevor Laws held that role last year.  Drafting Fletcher Cox or Derek Wolfe would give the Eagles a backup UT.

I’m still unsure how the team sees Cedric Thornton.  He has the build and quickness to play UT.  I think he’s a little stiff, though, which would make him a better fit at NT.

The UT lines up wider and and has to run around the outside shoulder of the G on his way to the QB.  The NT fires off the ball and goes straight up the field.

I think Landri could play UT for us in a short term setting.  He’s got the initial quickness, motor, and experience to handle the role.  He’s not a long term solution there.  I imagine the Eagles are offering him a cheap deal and also aren’t guaranteeing any playing time.  Patt, CuJo, and Dixon are locks to play.  The rookie and Ced Thornton should be battling for snaps.  And there sits Derek Landri on the outside.

While there is a lot of logic to everything above…it overlooks the simple fact that Landri played his ass off last year and the team was better with him on the field.  A lot of our big plays came with Derek out there, whether he directly influenced the play or not.  At some point you have to set aside long term plans and perfect fit.  Just focus on if the guy is a good player and if you can find a role for him.  Yes…and yes.  If Juan Castillo and Jim Washburn can’t find a way to use Derek Landri, then they shouldn’t be coaching in the NFL.  (oops – wrong joke for this crowd)

I like to joke about Derek a lot.  Fun guy to cheer for.  But I’m also honest about him.  I don’t think the Eagles should make him a starter or give the guy big money.  He is a terrific role player.  This is a guy you hope to find.  The Eagles did…and now they want to let him walk.  Ugh.

I’ll say this…I hope Derek signs somewhere that he will be appreciated and where he’ll get on the field regularly.  As frustrating as it would be to see him play for someone else, it would be worse to see him inactive while the Eagles had some RB or WR active, but unused.  That would frustrate me beyond belief.

I hope the team finds some way to work things out and bring Derek back.  He EARNED that with his play in 2011.  If Derek is asking for big money, that changes things.  I just don’t think that is the case.

I know the Eagles are in a tough spot with figuring out who to keep, who to play, and how to work things…but I just think this is a situation where the team is dealing with the abstract too much and not the obvious.  Good D-linemen aren’t easy to find.  When you do get hold of one…keep him.

* * * * *

After watching, hearing, and reading all the Tim Tebow coverage in the last couple of days I can only say this…thank Tebow we didn’t get Tebow.

* * * * *

Dallas will play the NFL opener at the Giants on a Wednesday night.  Weird.  I hope we don’t face either team in Week 2.  They’ll have had extra time to work out the early season kinks that plague most teams.

* * * * *

If you follow Colt Anderson on Twitter, you know he talks a lot about workouts.  Sounds like things are going well for him based on that and some other stuff I’ve read.  He certainly has the right attitude.  I’m figuring Colt will start the year on the PUP list, but it sounds like he is working hard to be on the roster on Week One.  We’ll see how he looks this summer.

* * * * *

Geoff Mosher had a quick blurb up on Twitter that he’s heard a couple of teams have talked to Jamaal Jackson.  I really want JamJax to get a starting gig.  Doesn’t affect the Eagles at all.  Just want to see a good player get another chance to be a starter once again.  Jamaal wants to play.

  • Matthew Butch

    My first thought when I read that tweet from Twitter was “Better put Tommy on Suicide Watch.” I even tweeted about it.

    And about the Dallas-New York opening night game, JimmyBama has an excellent post up saying that in Week 2, teams are 8-12. So I wouldn’t mind at all if we played either team. If it was the other way, and the Eagles played Week 1, no team should want to face them. Andy and crew is great at using those extra days to get a win.

  • Jason_E

    You should check out Jimmy’s post. He points out that teams in week 2, who played on Thursday night, are 8-12. Weird. I’ll take those odds.

  • http://pulse.yahoo.com/_AHVR5EZERRCZSD77DMKWAEEPLA Steve H

    Tommy could you speculate why the Eagles would be willing to let a productive guy like Landri walk? They have to know how well he played last year.

    • D3Keith

      The draft is loaded with DTs and the Eagles are set on taking one?

  • iskar36

    You’ve talked about Dixon a couple times, but is he really a lock for significant playing time? He seemed to be improving before he got hurt, but overall, he took a step back last year compared to the year before. I think this year will be an important year for him, and he is a guy that could be challenged. Landri would have been the type of player that I would have liked to see challenge Dixon for example.

  • GeorgeFleep

    if colt isnt 100% then do the eagles not cut tom nelson. i have always wondered about special teams. How much players would be warranted to be expected to excel at special teams but not regularly on defense. What if Nelson is the eagles Victor Cruz except on special teams or maybe on defense as well. Obviosly just throwing stuff out there. Even if he is the eagles would cut him like they did to Landri in 2011.

    Could Cedric Thornton go to Practice squad?

    • TommyLawlor

      Nelson will be here to compete for time on D and STs. Fingers crossed on Colt, but we can’t count on him yet. You want guys fighting for roster spots and roles.

      Ced isn’t likely to stay on the PS again this year, but the Eagles could risk it and see what happens. You never know.

  • Baloophi

    I work across the street from Nakatomi Tower. AND I’m tight with Argyle so I can get you into the parking garage…

    • TommyLawlor

      Excellent. Project Mayhem is on the move.

  • GeorgeFleep

    PHI Inquirer reported that Samuel is willing to restructure his deal so it would not impede on a trade. http://www.rotoworld.com/player/nfl/1127/asante-samuel
    Does this mean something is close in the works to being finalized? Are the eagles likely to extend DRC contract? Is Marsh a slot guy at all? McCoy contract will probably most likely come first.

  • Flyin

    Tommy,

    Do you follow the Flyers? If so, do you think Landri may be similar to Carcillo’s run last year with games won when in the line up?

    • TommyLawlor

      I am a Flyers fan, but unfortunately I’m only a passive fan until the playoffs. Don’t have enough time to follow the regular season. Don’t know about Carcillo and a streak.

      • Flyin

        In an article written after 60 games last year…

        “In a lineup of 20 contributors, it’s often hard to tell exactly what the numbers mean.

        How much of an impact can one player have on the team’s overall success?…

        The Flyers are 22-4-2 with Carcillo in the lineup and just 11-8-3 without him.”

        http://msn.foxsports.com/nhl/story/Flyers-win-when-Carcillo-plays-22379502

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Joe-Malone/1235880117 Joe Malone

    Tommy do you see Wolfe being a player that teams might covet in the third? I don’t want to miss out on this guy because we had to swap picks with Houston. Also, what are your views on Jerel Worthy? I have seen a couple places on the web compare him to Cullen a little bit and was wondering how you felt about him. Could he possibly be a target if we decide to trade down from 15? Whats the drop off of level of play between Cox and Worthy?

  • http://www.facebook.com/jakwaggoner Jack Waggoner

    I hear Marlon Favorite is available.

    • sonofdman

      I hear Favorite would leap at the chance to join the Eagles roster. He would dive right in to the offseason workouts.

      • TommyLawlor

        Well played.

    • TommyLawlor

      I hope when it is all said and done that Marlon Favorite can retire as an Eagle.

      Those were the glory days.

    • Eric Weaver

      I’d rather Montae Reagor.

      • TommyLawlor

        If you ever choose him over Favorite again, I’ll have the Iggles Blitz goon squad come over to your house and adjust your attitude. And trust me…you don’t want any part of these guys. They might look old and weak, but they didn’t survive WWI by accident. They are tough.

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Anders-Jensen/748307140 Anders Jensen

    I think this is about money. The Eagles have probably giving a close to vet minimum offer for one year again.

  • http://profile.yahoo.com/ICVWVOU3QY2LS6ELVMH7BVNW7Y somekid

    what rd would wolfe go in if drafted

    • http://profile.yahoo.com/ICVWVOU3QY2LS6ELVMH7BVNW7Y somekid

      Draft Range wise

    • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1118400638 Patrick Clausen

      Hard to say. Some team could really like him, and we might even see a Muhammad Wilkerson rise. I think he could go as high as mid 2nd, but he could drop as far as late 4th, even though I think it’s unlikely. I would be hesitant for the Eagles to take him with 2.19, but i doubt he is available at 3.26.

  • Cliff

    Love players like Colt Anderson, Landri and JamJack, These are the kind of guys you want on your team.

  • austinfan

    I’m surprised they haven’t reached a Grasmanis type deal with Landri.
    I’d also be surprised if any team gives him starter money, he’s shown he’s a great 400 snap DT, unfortunately, he’s just as productive with 700 snaps as with 400.

    Part of the problem may be the “Washburn effect,” he does have a great track record of plugging in UDFAs and late round picks at DT and getting production (Fisk, Tony Brown, now Landri). They like Thorton, they paid him a NFL salary last year to ensure that he didn’t sign elsewhere. They paid Dixon $2M, so obviously Washburn sees a lot to work with there. Throw in a draft pick and a UDFA or two and paying Landri a lot of money suddenly seems foolish.

    There are some veteran alternatives still out there:
    Amobi Okoye (wonder what Washburn could do with him)
    Leger Douzable (think we should sign him just because of his name)
    Antonio Garay – like Landri, shone with limited snaps, wore down with a work load
    Wallace Gilberry – undersized try hard DT, sound familiar?
    Turk McBride, Eric Foster, Albert Haynesworth
    Matt Roth is a wildcard choice.

    A guy who’s garnered no interest but would be a great camp body is Quentin Groves.

    • Eric Weaver

      I’m really surprised the Eagles didn’t consider Groves or Harvey last year, considering they are famous busts from a few years back.

    • http://www.facebook.com/people/Anders-Jensen/748307140 Anders Jensen

      I think Amobi could work wonders in Washburns scheme. He seems to have the pass rushing skills required and also got the none stop motor (from what I can gather from scouting reports). He is also still very very young, so he could be a potential surprise (and cant be any worse then Laws was this year)

  • TheRogerPodacter

    tommy, i think charlie’s specialty is bird law, so he might not be able to help you much.

  • Septhinox

    We could take Brittany Griner with one of our seconds. (S)he’d be good for the UT and a tall DT like Washburn would want.

  • nopain23

    With AS22 willing to restructure his deal I think the Iggles are working on something big behind the scenes.I mean who saw the DeMeco Ryans trade coming.The biggest obstacle to trading asante was his salary.9.5mil.By restucturing he will be more cap friendly to other teams.Was initially thinking we might get at best 4-th rounder for AS22.Now I think a 2nd rounder or 2 3rds at worst.Only problem is I don’t see this deal getting down up until a afew days b4 the draft..maybe even draft day itself..so we’ll all be in a wait and see mode..oh the torture!

  • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=565087931 Jeppe Elmelund van Ee

    Tommy,

    Yesterday you said, that you would only draft Blackmon at #15 (out of all WRs). While I understand your reasoning, what if the Eagles don’t agree with you, that he is the number one receiver in the draft?

    I read that Chris Steuber said on twitter, that he had asked five different NFL exec that he trusted, who their number one WR was. 2 said Blackmon, 2 said Floyd, and 1 said Wright. What if we have Wright as the number one? Shouldn’t we pick him, if no QB, DT or LB is higher rated on our board?

    I am sorry for beating a dead horse, but I just think that with a narrow look at #15 we have very few options. It’s almost feeling like you want Cox, Kuechly, Tannehill (who likely won’t be there) and Blackmon (who likely won’t be there).

    What if Cox and Kuechly is not there, and noone wants to trade up to our pick? Who do we take?

    • http://pulse.yahoo.com/_GWMNZ32U6YPGGA7N4JNWH4OSJE Mac

      Is that analysis a good sign for Floyd and Wright, or a bad sign for Blackmon?

    • http://www.facebook.com/people/Anders-Jensen/748307140 Anders Jensen

      Smoke and mirrors in regards to Floyd and Wright

    • D3FB

      What does Wright bring to the table that Djax and MacAttack dont have?

      • http://profile.yahoo.com/ACH6DNRGJVLIKZMNAH763QRXLM Markr

        The ability to thrive in the slot and move outside if/when Desean gets his next concussion

        • D3FB

          Sanu can do that at a hell of alot better value and he provides a bigger target.

  • IowaEagle

    You mentioned the possibility of Abiamiri playing DT, and he’d fit more in the role of a UT… Maybe the Eagles/Washburn is thinking we already have two guys to compete at UT? (Abiamiri/Thornton)

    • iskar36

      Abiamiri is a FA isn’t he? I mean we shouldn’t have a hard time resigning him if we wanted to. I doubt he has much, if any, of a market. Still, with his history of injuries, I don’t think you can rely on him at all. Wherever he ends up, if they get any productive football out of him, that would be a bonus.

      • IowaEagle

        I was thinking he might be a FA too.. but isn’t there something about if you’re injured for a certain length of your contract years, or don’t play for a certain amount of time, you’re a RFA or the contract is extended or something?

  • http://profile.yahoo.com/ICVWVOU3QY2LS6ELVMH7BVNW7Y somekid

    I can only see us taking cox, reyes, or wolfe at DT….where do you see them going in the draft

  • P_P_K

    …thank Tebow we didn’t get Tebow.

    There’s a special place in the afterlife for guys with this type of sense of humor. Not sure if it’s above or below, though…

    • TommyLawlor

      I’m glad someone got that joke. I was very happy with myself for thinking of it.

  • Skeptic_Eagle

    I agree with you Tommy. Honestly, if it comes down to it, I’d take Landri over Dixon as the backup NT at this point. Dixon turned in a great year as a run stuffer in the old 2 gap system, but has not shown that he’s a fit for this style yet. He’s also returning from a significant injury. Really like what Antonio did in 2010. He’s a young player, physical specimen, and a great story to boot, but Landri produced for the Eagles in 2011 and was made to play for Washburn; hard to argue against that.

    Take Chad Hall’s spot, please!

  • Eric Weaver
    • 47_Ronin

      “I goofed…” – Andy Reid.

      Just read the BEV post, and it’s pretty revealing on several levels. I hope Tommy devotes a post to it. I wrote some time ago that it didn’t look like the Eagles did a good job of due diligence in making the transition to the wide-9 defense–once they determined to change to the defensive scheme they needed to evaluate whether they had the personnel to successfully implement it–this Reid quote kills it for me: “But to tell you, yeah, your linebackers — the more gaps you open up, the more physical they have to be”

    • http://pulse.yahoo.com/_AWJT33NIMG6ZLNPC64UNHOCRYI Nick

      In the words of Big Red, that’s a gosh darn good interview.

  • http://www.facebook.com/xbcsmith Brett Smith

    Quick derail.

    So McCoy is still in running for Madden. Foster started #reversethecurse. Doesn’t matter we need to vote against him.

    I had a thought…

    Did any of the cursed players have to play Gregg Williams defense the year they were on the cover?

    Just saying.

  • T_S_O_P

    I’m not sure whether he stays or goes (Landri), but if it is the latter, can this be locked at 94 comments? ;)

  • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1116101444 Erik L. Richardson

    Drum roll please… The Eagles allow another young, talented, player to walk via f/a. The two sides can’t reach a deal, or didn’t really offer one. Landri, has all the potential to become an above average player. Looks like it’s gonna be elsewhere… Why isn’t this more obvious to them? I know it’s both sides. But, he’s not worth BIG money. Damn if he didn’t play his ass off at the end of last season. When he got the chance, he did more than just “flash”. He made an impact.