Trent Extended, Justice Gone

Posted: March 14th, 2012 | Author: | Filed under: Philadelphia Eagles | 51 Comments »

The Eagles made it official with Trent Cole, signing him to a 4-year extension.  Great news.  Trent was frustrated with his contract the last couple of years, but rather than go to the media he kept things quiet and let the right people know his feelings, and in the right way.  Maybe Osi Umenyiora could learn from that.  The Eagles rewarded Cole with an extension that will keep him an Eagle for the foreseeable future.       

Trent is one of my favorite Eagles and is a player that I’ve been high on since his days at Cincinnati (although I preferred his teammate LB Jamar Enzor to Trent – oops).  It is great to see Trent rewarded with a deal that he has 100 percent earned.  Trent out-played his last deal and remains a top flight DE.  This isn’t some reward for past services with him on the decline.  Trent is worth the money.

Trent has 68 career sacks.  I want him to reach 100.  I’m not unreasonable.  He doesn’t have to do this in 2012.  He can have to the mid-point of 2013.  It would also be nice to have him lead us to a shutout win in the Super Bowl.  Twice.  Finally, if he could cure cancer and permanently remove Tony Romo’s dumb grin…that would be great.

* * * * *

The next order of business should be to trade Asante Samuel.  We need the cap space and it would be great to have him gone so that we could make definitive plans.  Trading Sammie isn’t easy.  He’s got a high cap figure.  Plus, teams wanted younger FAs if possible.

Now that the CB market has really dried up (assuming Brandon Carr does sign with Dallas), Sammie becomes a primo target.  Detroit lost Eric Wright to Tampa.  The Bucs could still use a CB and the Lions might now need 2.  Right now Detroit has Chris Houston, Aaron Berry, Alphonso Smith, Don Carey, and Ross Weaver on their roster.  Hell, Trevard Lindley looks pretty good compared to that bunch.  Think that’s the group you want to slow down A-Rod or Jay Cutler?  Let’s hope Detroit cleared some cap room with the mega-deal they gave to Megatron.  They can ship us a 2013 2nd rounder for Sammie and I’ll be grinning from ear to ear.

There are other suitors.  We’ll just have to see who has the cap space to make the deal and who feels the biggest need to get a CB.

Speaking of trades…OT Winston Justice is gone.  We sent him and the 17th pick of the 6th round to the Colts for the #2 pick of the 6th round.  This clears up some cap space for us.  Jumping up half a round in the 6th isn’t a huge deal, but that is about the spot where we see a drop off in players each year (5th round to the 6th).  Can’t hurt.

Now we have just 3 OTs on the roster.  Maybe King Dunlap becomes a re-signing target.  Or maybe Howard Mudd has some other veteran OT he wants us to add.

* * * * *

A couple of people have reported that DE Phillip Hunt is up to 260 pounds.  Hunt told Jeff McLane that he “Didn’t have an offseason workout program like this in the CFL”.  Good to hear Hunt is working on strength/bulk.  Love his speed, but he’s got to be a functional run defender to play as regular part of the rotation.  260 is about the size we need.

Speaking of DEs…draft prospect Vinny Curry ran poorly at the Combine (4.99) but was significantly better at his Pro Day.  He’s got that number down in the 4.7 range.  Curry is fast on tape so the poor showing in Indy didn’t make sense.  Maybe he was nervous.  Maybe it was the track stance.  Whatever.

I had Curry as an Eagles pick in my King For A Day post.  You guys can go in there and comment if you like.  I’ll be checking on it regularly to respond to questions and criticism.  The post got up late and didn’t get a lengthy discussion because of that.

* * * * *

I forgot to link to NFL Gimpy’s newest edition of MAQB.  Check out what he said about free agency and see where he’s right and where he’s wrong.

I posted some FA thoughts over at ScoutsNotebook late on Tuesday night for your viewing pleasure.

* * * * *

So far, things are okay with me.  There has been little to no LB activity.

Mario Williams has a good chance to stay in the AFC.

Cortland Finnegan is in STL.  Better there than Dallas.

The Skins are loading up on 2nd tier players.

Teams with Top 10 picks are signing the right kind of players to help us in the draft.  I’ll cover that more in depth in a few days.  Can’t address all the good topics right away.

Be patient.  The Eagles will make moves when the time is right.  Focus on LBs.  That group has been very quiet.  Action will pick up and there and the Eagles will jump in when they need to.

And hope that the money we were slated to play Justice goes to re-signing Evan Mathis.  The man needs his Javelina meat.

51 Comments on “Trent Extended, Justice Gone”

  1. 1 Thunder_lips said at 1:19 PM on March 14th, 2012:

    Headline should have been “Trent and Indy get Justice”

  2. 2 TommyLawlor said at 3:04 PM on March 14th, 2012:

    How about “Eagles Sign DE, Cut Starting OL!!!”

  3. 3 A_T_G said at 5:44 PM on March 14th, 2012:

    Justice Done, Trent Extended

  4. 4 starkies said at 1:25 PM on March 14th, 2012:

    I am glad the Eagles have given Trent and Todd extensions and I hope they can work with DeSean on a reasonable number for both. I would love to see us sign London Fletcher, draft Fletcher Cox 1’st and Kendricks with a 2’nd.

  5. 5 Jack Waggoner said at 1:29 PM on March 14th, 2012:

    Javelina? Isn’t that some kind of oversize rat?

  6. 6 AnirudhJ said at 2:23 PM on March 14th, 2012:

    I believe a female boar-type animal. Any Age of Empires fans?

  7. 7 ShadyCrockett said at 2:32 PM on March 14th, 2012:

    +1

  8. 8 TommyLawlor said at 3:05 PM on March 14th, 2012:

    Mathis mentioned eating Javelina burritos on Twitter. Any weird references I make with him are probably based on something he said on Twitter. Funny guy.

  9. 9 Alex Karklins said at 3:15 PM on March 14th, 2012:

    I think it was the special javelin the nerds of Lambda Lambda Lambda built for Lamar LaTrelle’s limp-wristed throwing motion. I could be wrong, though.

  10. 10 ACViking said at 1:41 PM on March 14th, 2012:

    T-Law:

    If the Eagles take Vince Curry — or any DE — in with any of their first 3 picks, does that suggest they have serious concerns about Brandon Graham? [Amare Stoudamire of the Knicks, though he came back from micro-fracture surgery, never seemed to regain his explosiveness — not consistently at least. In the Wide 9, the DE position seems all about explosion off the ball.]

    Also, don’t know if you saw Trent Cole on “Eagles Live.” He really talked up the Washburn Rotation (Alpha and Bravo he called it). He said he felt like he could have played another 7 games after the season ended. That makes total sense when you compare how beat-up he’d get in past seasons and the drop in production. Last year, he was on fire at the end.
    ______________

    By the way — is Vince Curry a Trent Cole-type?

    Does Curry show the kind of “bull rush” power potential, coupled with edge quickness, that Cole uses so well to mix his moves.

    Do any of the DEs coming out this year show that kind of power and quickness?
    _____________

    Just an FYI . . . Wes Bunting (National Football Post) has Luke K. falling to the Ravens at No. 29.

  11. 11 TommyLawlor said at 3:07 PM on March 14th, 2012:

    Eagles are concerned about Graham, no matter what they say publicly. Devastating knee injury and then microfracture surgery. Not good. I hope he’s the guy who beats the odds and makes it all the way back, but he’s got an uphill battle.

    Curry is a physical player. Not exactly like Cole, but not some finesse speed rusher either.

    Interesting on Bunting/Luke. I think he’ll be there at 15, but not so sure about 29.

  12. 12 austinfan said at 6:12 PM on March 14th, 2012:

    Curry supposedly put up a 4.65 on his pro day, but it’s Pauline, not Brandt.
    Still don’t like his 4.40 SS, that’s a key test for DEs, especially in the wide 9, where they have to make a sharp cut around the OT to get to the QB.

    Physical DEs are a better fit for conventional 4-3 schemes, Cole is exceptional b/c he’s both explosive and physical, and extremely underrated by everyone except PFF, who consider him the best DE in the NFL. Though I’d go with Jared Allen, I don’t get those who assume Mario would be an upgrade.

  13. 13 James Casagrande said at 2:03 PM on March 14th, 2012:

    Moving up half of the 6th round? That has to be the most hilariously small compensation for a player ever. Did we throw in a case of beer? Au Revoir, Highway 74.

    Why would the Colts take on his contract? They couldn’t wait the few hours until we clearly were ready to cut him? I think this was a buddy deal from Grigson.

  14. 14 dislikedisqus said at 2:08 PM on March 14th, 2012:

    I hear we also got three 8th round draft choices.

  15. 15 TommyLawlor said at 3:08 PM on March 14th, 2012:

    Colts need players. Winston wasn’t healthy in 2011, but his knee should be solid by this summer. If so, he can start for them at RT. Justice wasn’t a great fit for Mudd’s system.

  16. 16 dislikedisqus said at 3:21 PM on March 14th, 2012:

    It also seems to create some cap space so probably linked to the Todd & Trent deals.

  17. 17 dislikedisqus said at 2:07 PM on March 14th, 2012:

    PFT lists PHI as one of 4 suitors for Laron Landry, per “a league source”.

  18. 18 TommyLawlor said at 3:09 PM on March 14th, 2012:

    I have my doubts, but I’ve been wrong before and will be again.

  19. 19 iskar36 said at 3:40 PM on March 14th, 2012:

    This is only a guess but that rumor seems to be the same one we heard from Jason Cole and Eliot Shorr-Parks several days ago just making it to PFT. No idea if it has any truth to it, but it seemed a bit unlikely when it first came out.

    I’ll be honest. I certainly recognize that there are some very serious concerns with Landry, but If they can sign him to a safe, short term deal, I would be excited. I know we want to get some f the younger guys some playing time, but if Landry stays healthy (which is a huuuuge IF), I think the competition alone that he would provide would benefit our safeties. In general, I wouldn’t be upset at all if we passed, but I certainly would be excited of we I’d have legitimate interest.

  20. 20 BreakinAnklez said at 2:08 PM on March 14th, 2012:

    How much does the Megatron deal affect Djax (if any)? If he still thinks of himself as a Top 5 receiver…

  21. 21 Kyle said at 2:24 PM on March 14th, 2012:

    DeSean has no chance to get anywhere close to the deal Calvin received. He won’t even get HALF that money

  22. 22 Eric Weaver said at 2:25 PM on March 14th, 2012:

    Part of that deal was also to reduce his 2012 salary down from the 21 million hit they were going to take.

  23. 23 TommyLawlor said at 3:10 PM on March 14th, 2012:

    Megatron is in his own world. DeSean shouldn’t be affected by that deal. I’m sure Drew will try to use it, but the Eagles have to laugh that notion off.

  24. 24 Eric Weaver said at 2:23 PM on March 14th, 2012:

    It wouldn’t surprise me if JJ ends up with Dallas. He’s that big-bodied guy they covet.

  25. 25 Eric Weaver said at 2:29 PM on March 14th, 2012:

    “Jumping up half a round in the 6th isn’t a huge deal, but that is about the spot where we see a drop off in players each year (5th round to the 6th). Can’t hurt.”

    I would never poo-poo this at all. Remember the Eagles traded a 6th round pick and their 21 pick for pick 19 to get Maclin. Having a lower 6th round pick could help if the Eagles need to maneuver up a spot or two in the 1st.

  26. 26 aerochrome2 said at 2:43 PM on March 14th, 2012:

    I thought that seemed low at the time, doubt many teams are willing to drop back two spots for a sixth round pick… Trade chart says high sixth rounder is worth no more than 28 while dropping from 19 to 21 is worth 75, fwiw

  27. 27 Jack Waggoner said at 3:16 PM on March 14th, 2012:

    It depends on who they wanted to draft anyway. If they got the same guy they wanted when they moved back, they got a 6th round pick for nothing.

  28. 28 TommyLawlor said at 3:14 PM on March 14th, 2012:

    Glad to see Jamaal Jackson get his release. Will be interesting to see if he can land a starting job. Baltimore would be interesting, but Matt Birk is coming back for them. TEN could take a look if they can’t get Chris Myers or Scott Wells.

  29. 29 metaReign said at 4:07 PM on March 14th, 2012:

    So far pretty good, imo, others may disagree. I’m kind of waiting for the rabbit in the hat, to make an appearance. We’re definitely need to tear into the cap and see what’s available during the FA. Obviously, the EAGLES aren’t in a rush and it’s kind like the “Calm Before The Storm” scenario. And then u get to see so the results when it’s done. Speculating they be looking real long into the draft choices, that FA could accompany with, along with what product a specify player brings to the lineup. Contemplating is much of a head game, but being smart will eventually bring some successful dividends to the team. So far it’s going pretty good, when’s all done and said, we’re moving on.

  30. 30 JRO91 said at 4:15 PM on March 14th, 2012:

    If the eagles get rid of Asante and get Desean off the tag they will be in the mid to high 20s in terms of cap room. Plenty to get a MLB in FA, resign Mathis and Landri. Maybe re-up the King, sign some deprh in FA and sign our draft picks. I would still like them to kick the tires on Haynesworth. Give him the vet min with incentives. See if Washburn can get anything out of him. If not dump him. Could be a huge low risk high reward move.

  31. 31 rdw56 said at 9:58 PM on March 14th, 2012:

    Albert is not coming here.

  32. 32 nopain23 said at 4:17 PM on March 14th, 2012:

    Cowpies just signed carr…could eye luke at 14……not GOOD!

  33. 33 rdw56 said at 9:57 PM on March 14th, 2012:

    Agree, this is dangerous but They did take Bruce Carter with the 40th pick last year to play ILB. I think they go OL or DL but the risk they take Luke is higher. Ratliff turns 31 in August and his productivity has been dropping since 2008. Poe has to look good to them,

  34. 34 JRO91 said at 4:18 PM on March 14th, 2012:

    Tommy what are your feelings on Cam Johnaon from VA as a fall back from Curry. I know he has the sickle cell trait but being in a rotation with other DEs would counteract that. Seems to be a Washburn type edge rusher.

  35. 35 GeorgeFleep said at 4:23 PM on March 14th, 2012:

    Evan Mathis will visit Baltimore Ravens.
    PFT says IND and TB have inquired about Mathis.
    And i believe Redskins as well. Is this all for leverage afterall he already knows the eagles situation. Mathis’s agent is Drew Rosenhaus. How much eagles players have him as an agent?

  36. 36 nopain23 said at 4:28 PM on March 14th, 2012:

    He gone!!!…thanks Evan…dude about to get paid…wish he stuck around though…the OLwas the best part of last yr

  37. 37 iskar36 said at 4:28 PM on March 14th, 2012:

    I’m not a fan of this at all. If Mathis ends up signing there, we have a huge hole on the OLine. We could draft DeCastro if he is available, but I think compared to resigning Mathis, this would be a major waste of resources.

  38. 38 GeorgeFleep said at 5:35 PM on March 14th, 2012:

    I wonder what Mudd thinks about Julian Vandervelde. 6-2 300. I wonder if he is just going to be a backup or will he see an opportunity develop with just competing for the pos with a 2012 draft pick

  39. 39 47_Ronin said at 4:36 PM on March 14th, 2012:

    Looks like P. Garcon’s contract set the baseline for DJax to get a deal done with the Eagles. Now I’m waiting to see whether the Eagles will sign a FA MLB.

  40. 40 Alex Karklins said at 4:39 PM on March 14th, 2012:

    I’m really glad this got done. Now make sure Mathis doesn’t leave!

  41. 41 47_Ronin said at 4:44 PM on March 14th, 2012:

    +1
    Forgot about Mathis, and he’s a Rosena$$ client as well.

  42. 42 DarthBanner said at 4:45 PM on March 14th, 2012:

    Desean got 5 years, 51 mil.

  43. 43 nopain23 said at 4:48 PM on March 14th, 2012:

    what?…5 yrs 51mil….Drew Rose…just fleeced my Iggles..i love Djax but no way he’s worth that…if he is..what is the F.O. going to offer Shady..5 yrs 80mil?…and let’s not talk about Jmac….i think the F.O. panicked and pulled a Deadskins kind of move..once again I love Djax..but he is not a high character guy like todd and Trent..he sulked all of last year and now gets rewarded….keeping my fingers crossed he plays like he’s out of his mind this year…but i doubt that..no wonder Mathis is moving on..no coin left for him…..

  44. 44 DarthBanner said at 4:51 PM on March 14th, 2012:

    Lets see how the deal breaks down. I suspect it will be easy to cut him after this season. I also read that his cap number for this season is less than it would have been under the franchise tag.

  45. 45 Anders Jensen said at 5:00 PM on March 14th, 2012:

    I have seen 3 mill in cap this year.

  46. 46 47_Ronin said at 4:57 PM on March 14th, 2012:

    I think you’re overreacting. Garcon’s contract with the Skins set a baseline for DJax, but DJax is definitely the better player b/c of his big play ability and ST play. There was no way he was going to get less than Garcon. Actually DJax’s deal is a little better in terms of guaranteed money as DJax received $19 or $18M vs. $21M guaranteed for Garcon.

  47. 47 nopain23 said at 5:07 PM on March 14th, 2012:

    So we’re over paying ’cause the Skins are idiots…hmm..what does that say about us?…not that the two are related..but why were we willing to OVER pay for smith last year when the giants were not.?..they have 2 superbowls in last 10yrs and we have….hmmmm..i’m just saying..sometimes you pay a guy what he’s worth…not what he thinks he’s worth….the production on the field does not justify the contract.you DON’t reward a guy who GAVE up on his team….

  48. 48 Anders Jensen said at 5:17 PM on March 14th, 2012:

    As Sam said a while back, its not what we think he is worth compared to contract signed a year ago or several years ago, its what the market are offering. Right now the market for a WR of Jackson’s caliber is 10 mill per season

  49. 49 hallcr3 said at 5:12 PM on March 14th, 2012:

    Whyyyyy do we care what DeSean got paid? He’s the best homegrown WR we’ve had in a long time and we’ve had him for dirt cheap so far. This contract is most likely worth a lot less than $51 million in the long run.

  50. 50 Flyin said at 5:20 PM on March 14th, 2012:

    I just watched Cole’s press conference. He mentioned leading up to draft that he battled through pneumonia twice. Was in the hospital. Had to take breaks when trying to meet with coaches because he was so sick. He dropped down to 230lbs.

    Was thing common knowledge at the time and/or were you aware of his illness x2? He feels he would have been selected higher if he had been healthy leading up to the draft.

    In retrospect, did Trent’s workouts leading up to the draft effect your grading on him? And put his “oops” teammate ahead of him?

  51. 51 GeorgeFleep said at 5:58 PM on March 14th, 2012:

    McCoy Negotiating: http://www.philly.com/philly/blogs/inq-eagles/McCoy-and-the-Eagles-negotiating.html

    now all eagles need is sign Landri(doubt it, sorry) trade asante for 3rd and a 5th (2013), not sure if will extend DRC cuz of young talent at that pos for example Curtis Marsh, and extend Maclin, sign lofton to 4 year deal

    all of this will get done tomorrow

    nobody will hold out of training camp this year