Eagles Rumor Mill - Samuel, Kearse, Faneca

by JasonB on Feb 24, 2008 11:39 AM EST in Philadelphia Eagles News

Bon Voyage Phreak

According to our favorite agent the phreak is done in Philly. Surprise, surprise.

"Yeah, we expect Jevon to be released," Kearse's agent Drew Rosenhaus told the newspaper Saturday at the NFL scouting combine. "I expect Jevon to be a free agent. We tried to work out a [contract] restructure with the Eagles. We thought he had a wonderful career there, they're a great organization. We weren't able to do it."

While I certainly wouldn't characterize Kearse's Eagles career as "great," I also don't think he was as big a bust as some Eagles fans make him out to be. He certainly didn't rack up nearly as many sacks as we all hoped/thought he would, but we had alot of success with the guy and he did do a solid job. I'll miss him, but it's fair to say that it was time to move on.

For what it's worth, the Eagles have denied that they are planning to cut Kearse. Again, surprise surprise.

Since the market for free agent corners has pretty much dried up, could the Eagles make a run at Asante Samuel?

The most valuable free agent that has been linked to the Eagles in recent weeks is Asante Samuel, but it's not a slam dunk that the team will make a serious bid for the New England Patriots' Pro Bowl cornerback.

According to a league source, the Eagles' sights had been set on Seattle cornerback Marcus Trufant before the Seahawks placed the franchise tag on him Thursday. Oakland's Nnamdi Asomugha also was tagged, leaving Samuel as the only truly elite cornerback on the open market.

Interesting that the Eagles had their sights set on Trufant. My guess is that they thought they could get a player that's equal to Samuel talent-wise, but for more reasonable money. The rumors are that Samuel is looking for a 10 year, $100 million deal with $30 million guaranteed.

I like Asante Samuel, but he's absolutely not that good. When I say that good I mean not $100 million good.

A league source indicated that Brown also feels underappreciated after defensive coordinator Jim Johnson said last season that he had to compete with Will James to keep his starting job.

Another issue is that the Eagles' cornerback tandem combined for just five interceptions last season. Twenty-two players had that many by themselves.

You don't need a league source to tell you that Brown was upset when he was told he had to compete with Will James for a starting job last year. He was pretty up front about his displeasure.

Sports Illustrated is reporting that the Eagles are a dark horse candidate for the services of Steeler's OL Alan Faneca.

League officials expect Faneca to sign a deal that is four to five years in length, with average salaries near the $7 million range. Also, there is a rumor floating in league circles that the Eagles will emerge as a dark horse candidate to make a strong play. Supposedly, the Eagles are interested in having Faneca line up at guard, with two-time Pro Bowl guard Shawn Andrews moving to right tackle as a replacement for Jon Runyan.

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Samuel

I agree with you that there's no sense in paying him Nate Clements money, because there was no sense in the 49ers inflating the market with Clements in the first place. I would worry that Samuel would have trouble adjusting to the Birds' system, where he would play much more man and often not have help. In NE, he played mostly outside technique zone, which the Eagles play little of. Jason David had a horrible year going from an all zone team to a more man look, and although Samuel is a better corner, it is a big adjustment.

by Behan @ Bleeding Green Nation on Feb 24, 2008 12:03 PM EST reply actions

DeAngelo Hall?

What are the chances the Eagles could make a run at DeAngelo Hall?

by allphillysports on Feb 24, 2008 1:06 PM EST reply actions

Dunno

I doubt he's high on their list of priorities... but if he could be had for the right price who knows?

If they're asking for a first round pick, forget about it.

I've always thought Hall was way overrated. He makes plays, but he consistently comes up small against really good WRs. Guys like TO and Steve Smith have just abused him. To me, that's what separates the top DBs from the average to above average guys.

Hall is a playmaker, but he's not what you call a "shutdown corner."

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by JasonB on Feb 24, 2008 1:13 PM EST up reply actions

No way we go after Samuel

I been saying it all off season, I just don't see it. Corner is NOT that pressing of a need to be shelling out money for him. I COULD see Gibril Wilson, Faneca, and another WR though.

by JoeD on Feb 24, 2008 11:41 PM EST reply actions