Trading Post

Andy Reid had his interview with the press at the owners meetings this morning.  Honestly, I didn’t find anything all that interesting.  He said he “goofed” in regard to S and LB last year.  I’ll get into that in a separate post, but to me that really is spin control and pretty useless info.

I’m much more interested in the story out today about the Titans having interest in Asante Samuel.  I had previously heard the Titans could be a team in the mix.

Here is an interesting comment from Samuel’s agent:

Samuel’s agent Alonzo Shavers says he is following the process, but
deferred to the Eagles in regards to what their future plans are for Samuel.

“At this point, the Philadelphia Eagles are driving the train. They don’t have to do anything,” Shavers said. “They have always been very professional about their business and we would expect them to continue to be.”

This sounds encouraging.  It also meshes with the report out yesterday that Samuel would be willing to restructure his contract if needed.  Asante and his agent are handling this thing the right way.  Let the teams work on the deal.  Let them know you are flexible.  Asante is still young enough to be a good CB for several more years.  He can make another $20M if he plays his cards right, which it sounds like he is doing.

The report says that the Eagles are asking for a 3rd rounder.  That sounds about right.

It’s funny…earlier today I was thinking about trading up in the 1st round.  I wondered if you could get a team like Jacksonville would give up pick #7 for pick 15 and Asante.  That isn’t even on the trade value chart, but that is hardly set in stone.

The Eagles would move up for…QB Ryan Tannehill.  I’m just throwing scenarios out there.  I know there are plenty of people who would hate this idea.  If the Eagles covet Tannehill, they would need to move ahead of Miami at 8 to get him.

The Jags would do the deal if there was no pick at #7 they really wanted.  And I’m not sure there will be a player who is a great fit for them.  Adding Asante would give them a top shelf CB and also a player that fans like.  Jacksonville is trying to sell tickets and generate buzz.  Asante can help in both areas.  He’s not lacking in personality or big plays.

The Titans interest in Asante is due to the loss of Cortland Finnegan.  They need an impact CB.  The Titans are hoping to compete for a playoff spot this year and a guy like Asante could be of serious interest because of that.

Jim Wyatt, a great Titans reporter, says that the team isn’t interested at this time, but that could easily be just PR.  The Titans don’t want to broadcast the moves they want to make.

Ryan Grigson is the GM in Indy.  I find it very doubtful that the Colts would have any interest in Asante, but I also didn’t see them keeping Reggie Wayne.  Grigson knows Asante’s value from their time together in Philly.  He also knows Asante’s warts.  If coach Chuck Pagano begs Grigson for a cover corner, maybe Asante becomes a possibility.  Serious longshot, but worth mentioning because of the connection.

So we’ve covered the whole AFC South, minus the Texans.  We just completed a trade with Houston last week so we know the relationship is good with them, but they don’t need a CB.

One reason I covered the AFC South teams is that aside from Houston, the division is wide open.  I think the Colts will struggle in a big way, but these days…you never know.  Who had SF in the title game?  Who had Cam Newton throwing for 4,000 yards?

The team that does deal for Asante is a team that is either trying to get into the playoffs or trying to stay in the playoffs.  In such an open division, I think the teams will at least consider Asante.  Plus…Houston is no lock to repeat.  The team should be very good, but they lost their leader on offense (Eric Winston), leader on defense (DeMeco Ryans), Super Mario, and … Matt Leinart.

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My preference is still to deal Asante for a 2nd rounder in 2013, but that is partially tied to the fact I want us to wait and get a QB next year.  If the Eagles are hell bent on taking a QB this year, then getting the 3rd round pick now makes a lot of sense.

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A couple of mock drafts from solid people have had Fletcher Cox going in the Top 10.  Mock drafts aren’t done by NFL people so they are meaningless in a sense, but they do offer insight into where players are perceived to go.  This notion of Cox as a late 1st rounder is starting to fade away…which is a bad thing for us.  Good for him.

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Evan Silva of Rotoworld and PFT put up an article of potential trade candidates around the league.  He has Asante #2 overall.  His guess is Detroit for a conditional 4th rounder.  I could live with that, but sure wouldn’t be thrilled with it.  The Lions are actually good now, which means a pick from them is likely to be at the bottom of the round.

There is no one on the Top 10 list that I think the Eagles would target.  Sam pointed out to me that there is a player below that group who could be of interest.  DE Jerry Hughes has been a major bust for the Colts.  He has 1 sack in 2 years.  And he’s a pass rusher.  Ouch.

Jerry could be a great fit in the Wide-9.  At TCU he got down in a 4-point stance and would fire off the ball on pass plays.  He was a great pass rusher in college.  You would think he could fit in well in Indy, but something hasn’t clicked for him.  If the price was cheap, he would be an interesting reclamation project for Jim Washburn.  Hughes will turn 24 in August so there is a ton of tread left on the tire.

A few other guys who could be of interest:

* Carolina RB Mike Goodson – Got hurt last year, but is a solid runner, receiver, and KOR.  Available due to a crowded backfield.

* Tennessee LB Gerald McRath – Fell out of favor with the new coaching staff last year.  Heading into a contract year.  Played WLB and SAM for the Titans.  I liked him a lot coming out of Southern Miss. Not sure what he did to get in the doghouse.

* New Orleans RB Chris Ivory – The Eagles deal for a power back from the Saints…what in the name of Mike Bell could go wrong?  Ivory is a powerful, violent runner.  I could see Andy Reid liking him, but Ivory still would not get many touches here.  I doubt Ivory would be thrilled with that.