Final Thoughts

Posted: March 12th, 2013 | Author: | Filed under: Philadelphia Eagles | 110 Comments »

FA starts shortly.  Here are some random thoughts.

guaranteed payday loans

* Leon Washington was cut by the Seahawks today. He could be of interest to replace Dion Lewis as the #3 RB and to be the primary KOR.

* Antoine Winfield was also cut.  The Vikings let him go when he wouldn’t take a pay cut.  Eagles aren’t likely to be interested due to age, but I have to admit I’ve been a huge fan since he was at Ohio State. Excellent run defender.  Michael Vick will vouch for him as a blitzer.  Would be interesting to sign him for a year to play the slot.  Again, not likely.

* Jason La Canfora just tweeted that the Eagles are involved in the Revis trade talks.  No idea if this is true or agent games.

* I predict that the Eagles will sign or be in strong negotiations with TE/FB/H-back James Casey. Could happen in the first 24 hours. That doesn’t mean he’s a priority target. Just could be easy to do a deal since he won’t have 10 teams bidding for him.

* I think the Eagles will add a pair of starting DBs.  This could happen quickly or take 10 days.  There aren’t any great targets.  There is no need to rush in and overpay someone from this group.

* Still no word on if the Jake Long rumors are anything more than agent talk.  I’m still hesitant to buy in, but the Eagles were also linked to Eric Winston so I can’t totally dismiss the notion of a RT signing.  Now Jeff McLane says the Eagles could be interested, but hints that only at the right price.  Best guess is some other team overpays him to play LT.

* NNAMDI IS GONE.  Done deal.  Relax and exhale.

* Get ready for an interesting couple of weeks.  We’ll learn about Howie Roseman and Chip Kelly.  There will be some frustrating moments, but hopefully mostly good stuff.  The Eagles have a chance to get a heckuva lot better if they can make the right moves.

_

  • nicolajNN

    Tommy, in regards to eaglesblog.net you could possibly place an RSS feed for it on the right side bar, maybe instead of Bounty’s? (Considering the newest story is from December) I think having it further up the page would be great, but obviously up to you. It could spare you from having to post links in the comments

    • TommyLawlor

      I’m working on that. Wasn’t able to get it done by today. Might work on it late tonight.

      • http://twitter.com/sjampendk Patrick

        Now that you brought on the topic. I am by no means a graphic designer, but i am educated in marketing and business, and i wondered if you thought about the layout of the site recently. Im not saying that you should fill the side with ads, but at least in Denmark where im from, there is a lot of very good website guys unemployed, willing to do some very good work for very little, so I assume its pretty similar in the US. I get the feeling that you like to focus on the content, not play around with all the tools that some idiots spend 5 years learning before they decide they would rather get a law degree.

        From a commercial standpoint, since you have a lot of sites and places you write, a good setup can allow you to have a lot of things on your site, without it being a clusterfuck, since I actually like the general “clean” feel the site has.
        Your twitter feed and your latest post on Eaglesblog.net, comes to mind as “fillers” instead of the green background that reigns the sides of the page, especially when you scroll down to the comments.

        • D3Keith

          Also Scouts notebook and links to the most recent PE.com and SB Nation columns.

          I’d wager someone in the IB community would redesign the site for Tommy as a favor. I got some skills, but not those kind, or I’d offer myself.

        • D3Keith

          Also maybe add a tab at the top that goes to EaglesBlog.

          I hope these suggestions come off as helpful not as bossy.

          • http://twitter.com/sjampendk Patrick

            Yeah, i want to make it clear, its not me bitching, its me trying to help in whatever way I can.

        • holeplug

          He could definitely streamline everything he writes for various websites in a more efficient manner. Getting the eaglesblog.net content over here and dumping the long outdated bountybowl stuff would be a start.

    • D3Keith

      I made a similar suggestion to Tommy privately. The Bounty Bowl thing had become an eyesore for me, and having EaglesBlog in its place just makes too much sense. Scouts notebook as well.

      The only reason not to do it would be if you believe it would siphon traffic from those short updates because we read them here. But more than likely it would drive traffic to the other sites, which would keep us all enveloped in Tommy’s web.

      The other thing that might make sense, that we do on the D3 site, is a Twitter widget. Basically just feeds your most recent x number of tweets to a box that resides on the right-hand side. People would just have to learn to love tweets about 80s hair bands and pudding interspersed with their Eagles tweets.

  • http://twitter.com/MFlicker Mike Flick

    I say in honor of Nnamdi getting cut, we all go out and play the latest Nnamdi game. We all get in our cars with a sandwich and the first one to get some Grey Poupon wins.

    • D3Keith

      Lol.

      The text from 855-25 comes 10 mins into the new league year. It’s official.

      What a giant disappointment. I nearly drove off the road when I found out the Eagles signed him. Sometimes when you win, you really lose.

      • ACViking

        Think of all the times the rest of us nearly drove off the road during the games Nnamdi actually played as an Eagle

        • D3Keith

          Well played.

          So what did we learn today kids? Don’t root and drive!

          (The funny part is I was in Washington state on a mountain with no cell service, and the drive down was on one of those winding roads that looks like it’s from an Audi commercial. So my phone buzzes like 23 times once we get back into cell service range, and I see the Nnamdi thing reported by Glazer and have to grab my phone because it’s ultra-important … while everybody in the car grabs on to the door handles for dear life)

          • Daz

            “Don’t root and drive!” has such a different meaning outside the USA… Definitely good advice there.

  • TommyLawlor

    Several good updates already posted.

    http://eaglesblog.net/

  • Baloophi

    RE: Revis rumor – “… No idea if this is true or agent games.”

    “Agent Games” – Second worst Tom Clancy novel. (“The Sum of All Fears”)

    • TommyLawlor

      Jack Ryan…trapped in the NovaCare Complex. He must get out…to prevent his beloved Redskins from signing Nnamdi Asomugha. Ryan broke into Howie Roseman’s safe to find the NNAMDI SUCKS file. Now that info has to get into the right hands or many will suffer. Can Ryan pull this off?

      • Baloophi

        I’d read that…

        • Baloophi

          You could replace the “NNAMDI SUCKS” file with practice footage… then you’d have the montage of Jack Ryan trying to watch it while simultaneously puking in the cold tub.

      • goeagles55

        leaked excerpt:

        Howie Roseman finished his ham sandwich in his office. The offseason was in full gear and no potential film-study time could be wasted on solely eating lunch, especially for a fast riser such as Howie. Hired as an unpaid intern in 2000, Howie didn’t become the youngest general manager in the NFL by eating in his car. He worked eighteen-hour days, seven days a week, fifty-two weeks a year to make himself more valuable than both a beloved boyhood friend and a successful head coach.

        Howie checked his vibrating phone, seemingly getting calls more often than not. Thankfully, gone were the days where one had to blindly answer. Seeing the name on caller-id, “Jerry Jones,” Howie clicked “ignore” and got back to work.

    • goeagles55

      Came here to check Free Agency news and will leave here with my next book to read. I had been putting off reading the next Jack Ryan universe book because the last one was The Sum of All Fears. Next in (publication date) line is Without Remorse which I’ve heard is one of the better ones.

      If Agent Games is ever released I will burn through the rest of the books just to get to the descriptions of the characters in the NovaCare Complex.

  • Ark87

    NA is gone!!! This is a rough depiction of eagles blogs and message boards across the land. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=np6vAuS0KNs

    • Baloophi

      I think a spectral Troy Vincent and Eric Allen would approve of this move.

      ALT:

      At least the Death Star would occasionally hit something.

      • D3FB

        If only Coleman could have force choked Nnamdi every time he pointed the finger.

    • TommyLawlor

      Wait…you’re saying Eagles fans are hairy beasts that like to start fires, dance, and set off fireworks? Sounds about right.

    • Miami_Adam

      Pretty hilarious that ESPN has him as their overall top-rated FA

      • Ark87

        You’re kidding!? The guy stops wearing green and NOW the national media thinks he’s dandy!? Yeesh

      • D3Keith

        Whoever rated him at the top did not watch much football lately.

        Even if you allow for the possibility that he can be something like the player he was in Oakland if used correctly and on a team with a strong defense that just needs one CB, he’s still old and expensive and something of an enigma. Not at all a sure thing. I realize most sure things don’t make it to free agency, but it’s a risky signing. You might get a great CB, you might get nothing.

        I think there are safer bets.

        • BlindChow

          It will be very, very satisfying if the Eagles play against him next year and burn him for a couple of long TD’s…

  • nicolajNN

    Ffs I thought there was another hour till the start of FA, but I hadn’t accounted for the US having already changed to summer time, leaving me confused about all the updates already

    • Baloophi

      We Americans tend to be ahead of the curve when it comes to numbers and science and all of that junk.

  • http://www.insidetheiggles.com/ CalSFro

    Man, I guess you were right about 10 teams not being after Casey…

    But fourteen?? Wow. Versatility is where it’s at these days.

    • TommyLawlor

      Boy, was I wrong or what. Figured there would be a handful of teams, but that’s it.

  • Iskar36

    So apparently no Goldson, Landry, or Smith (and the Revis talk has been shot down by several reporters):

    Tim McManus
    ‏@Tim_McManus

    I have come to rain on your free agency party: Eagles not players for Revis, Goldson or Smith. http://bit.ly/W7acqL

    Michael Silver
    ‏@MikeSilver
    The Eagles need at least one safety and one corner in free agency but, I’m told, have no interest in S LaRon Landry

    • D3Keith

      that’s fine. I never bought the Landry interest, since they have passed on him twice already (McNabb trade, available last year) and because he’s old and a bit of a kook, though a hard worker.

      No surprise that the Eagles will let people overpay for the top DBs then scoop the leftovers (aka the guys they say they really wanted all along). Seems like the smart way to play this year’s crop of guys since none are must-have.

    • deg0ey

      This bodes well for my preferred haul of Quin, Chung and Fletcher…let’s just hope we get them all :-)

  • ACViking

    Re: James Casey Trivia for $500

    Name the player selected in Rd 5 of the 2009 draft exactly 1 spot ahead of the U-Florida TE — with the bum knee — named Cornelius Ingram, chosen by the Eagles?

    That’s right . . . Rice U’s James Casey at pick 152 overall. Ingram went 153.

    I remember watching the 2009 draft on Eagles live with Spuds and Merrill Reese.

    Spadaro kept saying throughout Rd 5 he had a hunch whom the Eagles would select.

    And when Ingram’s name was announced, he nearly hit the roof with excitement — that was the guy the Eagles had targeted.

    Too bad someone else didn’t grab Ingram earlier. Casey may have been the Eagles’ own 5th Rd pick.

    • TommyLawlor

      Ingram was worth the risk. Looked great in camps that spring/summer. Re-tore the ACL and was never the same. Still, could have been so good if the knee held up. I don’t mind rolling the dice with a 5th round pick.

      • ACViking

        T-Law:

        I totally agree . . . I think Ingram could have been the Eagles’ Marques Colston.

        I’d bet that Reid saw Ingram in that scheme. He’d have been a steel.

        I’m speaking only in hindsight now. I did NOT mean to criticize the choice. Just the outcome . . .

        And the coincidence now, potentially, with JC.

        • TommyLawlor

          Comparing him to Colston is pretty good. Ingram even more athletic.

          Clearly, getting Casey would have been better. Real quality football player. Could thrive in Kelly’s system.

  • TommyLawlor

    Updates:

    Ricky Jean-Francois will visit, probably tomorrow.
    NT Isaac Sopoaga will visit…soon. Maybe tomorrow.

    The Eagles are close to a deal with TE James Casey.

    Eagles don’t want Sean Smith or Dashon Goldson and one report said no to LaRon Landry.

    • Anders

      Tommy you are way behind the loop. We already got Sopoaga and Casey, RFJ is in Philly already and we also signed CB Fletcher, LB Jason Phillips and S Patrick Chung

  • http://www.insidetheiggles.com/ CalSFro

    Anybody else starting to feel a little bit of deja vu with Andy Reid signing all these veterans (Chase Daniels)? I know you use FA as a means to fill holes so that you can literally take BPA in the draft, but still…we just went through this the last two years in terms of team chemistry.

    I so badly want for him to do well…but part of me thinks that his ideas for how to build a successful team in the long term are falling by the wayside as his focus intensify’s on winning in the short term. Which could leave he, and KC, in a bad spot in the not too distant future.

    • Ark87

      we may see the eagles do very little until after the draft. Before the draft, everybody is looking to get rich. After the draft, most people are just looking for a job.

      Right now we have so many holes on this roster, that unless the BPA is a RB, chances are you will be addressing a need. From that angle, Howie has a relatively easy shot at staying to his board and not being tempted to reach for need.

    • TommyLawlor

      They had nothing at QB and they have no 2nd Rd pick. Smith starts. Daniel is backup. #1 pick goes for RT. Offense is instantly much improved (in theory). Not unreasonable.

      If Andy had a 2nd rounder, I bet he’d spend that on a QB. Could see him loving EJ Manuel.

      • http://www.insidetheiggles.com/ CalSFro

        I hear ya. What about Fasano? Dunta. Re-signing not just one but a couple underachievers from the previous regime(s); Bowe, Albert and now Dorsey, talented though they all may be?

        I dunno. Maybe I’m over-thinking it. Like I said, I just want to see him do well.

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

          I don’t want Fasano. Although a veteran, he’s never really showed me anything other than being a good blocker. Even at ND, he wasn’t flashy. I think Harbor gives us more at this point over Anthony.

          • http://www.insidetheiggles.com/ CalSFro

            I wasn’t advocating signing him. The Chiefs did already. That was supposed to add to my point about Andy bringing in a lot of veteran free agents.

          • D3Keith

            The only argument for this is is sometimes a coach brings in a bunch of vets to set a certain tone, and to win enough games the first season to show improvement and give him credibility in the locker room, community et. al. Shanahan tried this in Year 1 in Washington even though his success game with virtually none of those guys actually in the fold.

            Kelly-Green’s approach is like the exact opposite. He doesn’t need as desperately to earn credibility by winning immediately. He needs to earn players’ respect and get them to buy into his system, and wins would help. But he doesn’t need vets for high-priced guys, the competition for jobs will set the tone just as much.

            More than one way to do it I guess, each depending on the situation.

    • D3Keith

      Yes CalSFro, I do get the sense he’s still going to do things the way he did them in Philly, and Kansas City might feel the brunt of it. Hate to say “glad it’s not our problem anymore” but …

  • xeynon

    If we’re going after Jean-Francois and Sopoaga, then I suppose we’re definitely moving toward a 3-4.

    I like the idea of letting the market settle and not overpaying for flawed players like Goldson and Landry. They can likely get a starter who is an only slightly inferior player much cheaper (Quin?).

    Really want to see them make a play for Bradley Fletcher. He’s exactly the right kind of under-the-radar free agent to go after IMO.

    • D3Keith

      I’d be pretty thrilled if the moves weren’t “sexy” per se, but free agency nets two DL, two DBs and an LB, plus whatever toys Chip thinks he wants for offense.

      But guys should definitely be ascending players, and they should be typical Howie deals that the Eagles can get out of if things don’t work out. Because there’s going to be a lot of competition, and I don’t think free agents are going to have anything guaranteed them any more than draft picks or UDFAs are. I get the feeling everything is going to be up for grabs at this point … and I don’t mind that one bit.

  • Flyin

    This is a site I always forget about until NFL Free Agency starts. You can scan what’s going on pretty fast on KFFL Hot off the Wire.

    http://www.kffl.com/hotw/nfl

  • Anders

    Tommy, if the Phins cut Dansby, could you see him as a target? While Kendricks got potential, I think it would hurt to bring a veteran like Dansby who knows what Davis wants.

    • holeplug

      nah too old

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

    I know it’s a numbers game. But, why is Dion Lewis the odd man out? He’s a better blocker and runner than is Brown. He’s more secure with the ball. He’s made plays with his rare usage.

    • Anders

      Why do you speak ill of Bryce “Bo Jackson” Brown?

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

        Did I lie?

        • Cliff

          Yes.

        • Anders

          Lewis is not better than Brown.

    • xeynon

      Better receiver, maybe. Better blocker? Debatable. Better runner, no way. I’d bet that Brown ran for more yards and rushing TDs last season than Lewis will accumulate in his entire NFL career.

      • Anders

        I think Lewis will do fine next season. He fits what we want on offense

        • xeynon

          Maybe. I don’t hate the guy, I’m just not sure he even makes the team. And Brown is a flat-out stud, at least in terms of raw talent. If he corrects his fumbling problem, he could be a Pro Bowl tailback.

          • Anders

            Agree with that. Lewis got potential, to be a good back up (I consider both “Bo Jackson” and Shady to be starters)

      • Neil

        I don’t think you give lewis enough credit. I love the way he runs. Not only feisty but he’s got a lot of quickness and power. Great rotational back or depth. Probably one of the best #3 running backs in the league.

  • teltschikfakeout88

    One thing we need to remember with Casey is that he will be 29 when the season starts as he played baseball first and then started at Rice as 23′year old frosh. However he still has some tread on his tires but you have to question if he is still an ascending player.

    • D3Keith

      Six weeks older than Danny Watkins!

      *makes argument worse*

    • xeynon

      Doesn’t matter that much. He only signed for three years and as you say, he hasn’t taken the pounding that a typical 28 y/o player at his position has – he should still be a useful player until he’s 31.

  • BreakinAnklez

    I know it’s not Eagles…but my god Ravens D is getting raided…hope Flacco is worth it..

    • D3Keith

      The price you pay for winning the Super Bowl.

      Not sure how they let Reed walk though. If he goes to the 49ers, they’re gonna be dumb good.

      • goeagles55

        Harbaugh is going to end up fired much more quickly than Billick was.

  • BreakinAnklez

    Schefty reporting signed Casey, 3 yrs 14.5 and Cap saying we will sign Bradley Fletcher

    • D3Keith

      Nyce.

      Nevermind that I had to look up who Bradley Fletcher even was today … those are the kinds of guys we need to be signing, up-and-comers who NFL freaks and scouts know about but many fans don’t. (Same with RJF)

    • A_T_G

      I just got done with the article Tommy linked to on the other site, so I now feel completely justified in being excited to get Casey. If Chip wants to run the option with Foles, just let this guy go in motion, Foles hands him the ball and he can run the option.

  • Anders

    Tommy seems we got your boy Fletcher

    • http://www.insidetheiggles.com/ CalSFro

      And Sopoaga.

      • D3Keith

        Keep ‘em comin.

        Three wins in free agency, that’s almost as many as we had during the regular season!

        • http://www.insidetheiggles.com/ CalSFro

          Truth.

          I’m really liking the signings so far. Good, young, mid level, ascending players. Perfect for rebuilding the core of a team.

  • RAVS

    Adam Caplan just tweeted we got Bradley Fletcher!!

  • Anders

    Also seems we got the Hawian guy from the Niners

    • D3Keith

      Nice. Who reported that one?

      I gotta admit, I like the Casey pickup but if Day 1 had ended with just a toy for Chip’s offense I would have been less than pleased.

      Was Sopoaga on the niners when Davis was an assistant there?

      • Anders

        He was. It has been caplan and Eaglesinsider

  • BreakinAnklez

    Tommy ish is flying!!!!! Put down the PBR and tell Megan Fox she can wait!!!

    • D3Keith

      Hey I love the Eagles and I really love free agency, but you DO NOT make her wait.

  • Lukekelly65

    its official James Casey is an Eagles he signed a three year deal

  • BreakinAnklez

    Now Chung!!

    • D3Keith

      This just got awesome.

  • A_T_G

    Wow, so Casey, Fletcher, Sopoaga, Chung, and some Hawaiian guy all at once? Are these legit?

    • Anders

      Sopoaga is thhe Hawaiian guy. They are all legit signings as Eaglesinsider is reporting em

      • A_T_G

        Well, this is fun. So much for letting the market settle.

        • D3Keith

          No need to if they’re all under-the-radar, third-tier signings.

          Maybe this is where the three-day negotiating window helped.

          I’m expecting RJF too.

    • http://www.insidetheiggles.com/ CalSFro

      Other than Sopoaga they all seem to be young and ascending. Chung is 26. Jason Williams is 26. Fletcher is 26. Casey is 28 but didn’t into the league until he was 25.

      Assuming they didn’t break the bank on any of them and I’d say yeah…pretty legit.

      • A_T_G

        Yeah, I like it. You meant Jason Phillips, right? Or is there another guy?

        • http://www.insidetheiggles.com/ CalSFro

          Nah, you right. My bad, yo.

  • A_T_G
    • D3Keith

      Weird.

  • D3Keith

    Hey random but apparently the Redskins can’t afford Lorenzo Alexander. Any interest? Possible asset as a special teamer and versatile player who has been an LB in a 3-4 and a DL in a 4-3.

  • D3Keith

    825-65 just sent the text that says CB Bradley (assuming this is Fletcher), S Chung, LB Phillips, DL Sopoaga and TE Casey have agreed.

    Who is Phillips? Am I drawing a blank or is this a totally off-the-radar guy?

    • Lukekelly65

      you were on point with your comment early you said you wanted 2 DL 2 DBs all younger guys thats what we got

    • A_T_G

      From BGN:

      The Eagles also announced the signing of former Panthers LB Jason Phillips. He started his career with Baltimore, so clearly 3-4 familiarity is key with him. That said, Phillips has been mostly a depth player starting just 2 games in 2 seasons with Carolina.

      • Neil

        Sounds like a solid depth signing at ILB

  • xeynon

    I am loving these signings so far. All young guys who are ascending players, with the exception of Sopoaga who gives us a 3-4 veteran who can help younger guys like Cox and Thornton make the transition as well as be a legit NT for a couple years until a younger player can be groomed to take that spot. Way to go Howie!

  • D3Keith

    I’m real eager to see the numbers on these deals too. Would be nice to compare what the Eagles got Chung for vs. whoever pays whatever for Goldson.

    This flurry just made me appreciate the three-day negotiating window.

  • A_T_G

    Sopoaga – 3yrs, 12m, 5m guaranteed
    Casey – 3 yrs, 14.5m.
    Fletcher –
    Phillips –
    Chung –

  • xeynon

    Sooo… any word on whether “Everybody Have Fun Tonight” will be replacing “Fly Eagles Fly” as the team fight song, now that we have both Wang and Chung on the roster?

    • D3Keith

      *rim shot*

      • xeynon

        I’ll be here all off-season.

  • TommyLawlor

    Sorry for the quiet. My dad went to the hospital today and I had to go visit him. Didn’t expect the Eagles to go on a signing flurry while I was out for 3 hours.

    • Anders

      Hope your dad is okay.

    • Zach

      Take care of the family.

    • A_T_G

      I am confident that I speak for all your readers in saying we wish you, your father, and your family the best.

      If this is in any way the result of in-home LASIK, however…