Rumor: DE Antonio Smith to visit Philadelphia

by JasonB on Feb 27, 2009 9:15 AM EST in Philadelphia Eagles News

PFT is reporting that the Eagles have invited Cardinals' DE Antonio Smith to visit the Novacare complex. The Eagles are among 5 teams to have reportedly invited Smith.

Several teams have begun to chase one of the members of the Cardinals’ starting defense who hit the market little more than five hours ago.

Per a league source, the Buccaneers, Giants, Eagles, Texans, and Falcons have invited defensive end Antonio Smith for a visit.

Smith is in the process of coming up with a priority list of the teams, and then will finalizing arrangements for visits.

The 6'4 285lb DE had 3.5 sacks and 41 tackles last year. It seems he would not fit the mild of the typical smallish, faster Eagles DE, Smith would be the biggest DE on the Eagles.

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I like it

I think we need another DE and this satisfies the “player we didn’t think about” requirement.

by ajay on Feb 27, 2009 9:20 AM EST reply actions

This is a little odd in my opinion. DE is one position where we have a good amount of depth. I would imagine that this signing wouldn’t be exactly cheap… He seems like a good player and all, I just think it’s a little odd given what we actually need and what we already have.

"I tried to run him over but Eli had his big boy pads on and he kind of stopped me from getting in the end zone. The next time I’ll try to jump over his head.’’ - Asante Samuel

by foos05 on Feb 27, 2009 9:24 AM EST reply actions

additionally, he seems more built for a 3-4 D…. color me puzzled

"I tried to run him over but Eli had his big boy pads on and he kind of stopped me from getting in the end zone. The next time I’ll try to jump over his head.’’ - Asante Samuel

by foos05 on Feb 27, 2009 9:27 AM EST up reply actions

the thing about defensive lineman is you can never have enough of them. they are the biggest guys on the field, their job responsibility is the most grueling, and it shows more so than any other position when they get tired. not our biggest need but its always good to constantly have fresh bodies on the defensive line

by njh3293 on Feb 27, 2009 9:29 AM EST up reply actions

i don’t argue with that, but i would say that we were in need of a body at DT moreso than DE

"I tried to run him over but Eli had his big boy pads on and he kind of stopped me from getting in the end zone. The next time I’ll try to jump over his head.’’ - Asante Samuel

by foos05 on Feb 27, 2009 9:31 AM EST up reply actions

But

We have no real starter opposite Cole. Who is it? Abiamiri or Smith? Parker can’t last a whole season. Clemons is rotational. We have three good DTs and four if we move Klecko back there.

by ajay on Feb 27, 2009 9:35 AM EST up reply actions

who cares

i like our Defense.. . i like it so much our focus should be on Dawkins… We do not need a DE as our first invite.

Free Agents should be Tackles, Tight Ends, RB’s, and TJ!

Rob Wetmore
Leading Edge Martial Arts
www.leadingedgema.com

by LEKSensei on Feb 27, 2009 9:34 AM EST reply actions

Can he play LT or RT

Although I agree that we can never have enough depth on the D-line, there are some more pressing needs that the Eagles need to address.

by Screen Name 20 on Feb 27, 2009 9:34 AM EST reply actions

WHO CARES, THIS DUDE IS NO UPGRADE,

I don’t know if he makes the team past camp. We are crowded at DE, and still have 6 on the roster. All of which are better than this kid. He isn’t even better than Juqua. I can’t get excited about this guy. Its is not a need.

Its like when we drafted Laws, I really didn’t care because it wasn’t a need. We NEED TO ADDRESS NEEDS. If you aint signing Peppers at DE, don’t sign a corn ball DE like Smith. Lets not get too carried away with a corny pick up like this. I don’t think he makes he team.

City of Champions!

by yophillybro on Feb 27, 2009 9:41 AM EST reply actions

The thing about addressing needs ...

… is that what’s not a need can quickly become one.

I agree that DE should not be our focus, but the Eagles build a team with a long-term view, so that they never leave themselves (for lack of a better term) ass-out at any position.

Even at positions which are clear needs, they make a point to have a young developmental guy in the pipeline at all times.

You can disagree with that philosophy if you want, but guys you didn’t care about when we drafted them, like say Stewart Bradley when we had Trotter at MLB and Gaither capable of backing him up, are the guys who you sweat two years later.

by D3Keith on Feb 28, 2009 12:12 AM EST up reply actions

Antonio smith?

I guess i it would make our 3rd ranked run D even more stout, but seriosly, i do not wanna throw alot of dough after a runstopping DE. It is all about pass-rush. If we sign this guy i think Abiamiri will find it difficult getting significant playing time if they are heavily invested in Antonio Smith and i kinda like Abiamiri when he has been injury free.

by Nils_eaglesfan on Feb 27, 2009 9:55 AM EST reply actions