Eagles free agents list - Who to keep, who to let walk?
by JasonB on Jan 13, 2010 6:00 AM EST
in News
70 comments
The following Eagles are supposed to be eligible for unrestricted free agency this offseason, but unless a new CBA gets done in the next couple months players with less than 6 years of service will only be restricted free agents.
Jason Avant, WR, Jason Babin, DE, Nick Cole, G/C, Omar Gaither, LB, Chris Gocong, LB, Ellis Hobbs, CB, Max Jean-Gilles, G, Sean Jones, S, Akeem Jordan, LB, Sav Rocca, P, Alex Smith, TE, Jeremiah Trotter, LB, Leonard Weaver, FB, Tracy White, LB
As it stands now Avant, Cole, Gocong, Jean-Gilles, Jordan, Weaver, & I think White would be restricted.
I'll give my thoughts on who to keep and who to let walk after the jump, but who do you think is important to keep around?
Jason Avant, WR - No brainer. Not only should he be kept he should be given a longer term deal. Avant isn't our most talented or exciting WR, but he's dependable and sure handed. His presence on 3rd downs is invaluable.
Jason Babin, DE - Meh. He plays hard and has gotten some pressure at times, still he only managed 2.5 sacks and didn't seem to do much late in the year. Maybe he's brought back to camp next year, but I wouldn't be that concerned.
Nick Cole, G/C - I think you have to bring him back. He's a capable backup at a couple positions and now he's got a year of starting experience. I don't really want him as a starter next year, but he's a pretty decent security blanket.
Omar Gaither, LB - After essentially demoting him twice in two years I don't really know why the Eagles would bring back Gaither. I like the guy and I never thought he was all that bad... but I don't see him coming back.
Chris Gocong, LB - I'd bring him back barring another addition at SAM. For a 7th round pick, Moise Fokou did an ok job at times this year but he was only a stop gap. Gocong spent a good portion of the year injured and didn't play great when tried to come back, still I think he's been solid when healthy. I'm certainly interested in upgrading the position and if there's someone better out there then that could change my mind on Gocong.
Ellis Hobbs, CB - I'd be interested in bringing back Hobbs as a returner, but I would imagine some team out there would give him a shot to earn a starting corner job. So he can go.
Max Jean-Gilles, G - He's gotten plenty of chances to play this year and in year's past and has never really shown anything. Let him walk.
Sean Jones, S - We should be focused on bringing in a legit starter at safety. Jones did some good things year, but not enough.
Akeem Jordan, LB - I'd really like to see Akeem Jordan in the role Omar Gaither was supposed to have this year, as the backup for a couple of positions.
Sav Rocca, P - Way too inconsistent. It was a fun experiment, but we can do better.
Alex Smith, TE - I could go either way on Alex Smith. Obviously the hope is that Cornelius Ingram is healthy next year and becomes Brent Celek's backup, but the fact he's totally unproven and has struggled with injuries... It wouldn't be a bad idea to have Alex Smith around as cover.
Jeremiah Trotter, LB - It was fun seeing Trotter back and honestly he played better than I expected... But with Stewart Bradley coming back and more additions in the LB corps likely I don't think they need Trotter back.
Leonard Weaver, FB - Without a doubt he should be back and with a long term deal.
Tracy White, LB - White was a core special teamer this year and that's valuable.
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white, weaver, avant
white actually did really good at playing some LB at times too,
weaver, we all know what he can do
avant is clutch
eff you we winning anyway
A.I. IS BACKKKKKKK
Good Breakdown
I agree with most…
Avant, Cole, and Weaver are absolute givens.
As far as the linebackers go, I was so mad at that unit this year, I’ll take all the depth I can get. I’d bring Gaither, Gocong, and Trotter back, but also attempt to upgrade. If they win spots, great, that will only help. If they can’t make it happen, fine, they’re replaceable.
White is a given also, he was a ST beast, but I really liked his coverage skills in the nickel when he was on the field. I feel the same about Jordan, he’s only capable of the WILL spot, but he’s pretty good at it.
We can bring Alex Smith back to camp, but it wouldn’t surprise me if he got beat out.
"EFF YOU, WE'RE WINNING ANYWAY!!!!!!" (Bye, Dawk)
The Inquirer put out their list of "Stay and Go"
pretty interesting…I got the lead from Igglesblog.
"EFF YOU, WE'RE WINNING ANYWAY!!!!!!" (Bye, Dawk)
98% agree
You like Gocong more than I do; Nice guy, does a lot of charity work, but I think it’s an emphatic see ya for him.
The FO has a long history of bringing in veteran LB’s in FA, with varying success. Shawn Barber worked out, Takeo Spikes was meh, and Nate Wayne was bad – I think there are others as well. I think they go that route again this year so they’re not reaching for an immediate need in the draft.
by JimmyK on Jan 13, 2010 7:41 AM EST via mobile reply actions
Agree mostly, too
Have to haves for me are Avant/Weaver/Cole.
Nice to haves are White/Jordan
I'm a Cowgirls Cockroach Troll - Beware
jason you sumed it up pretty well
but i honestly think that avant is our star receiver in disguise. now im a huge desean fan i have his jersey and everything but the catches avant makes and the consitancy of his catches i think sky rockets him up there. i belive that all 3 of these guys are amazing (maclin, avant and jackson) and could start on alot/if not all of teams out in the nfl. now im not no wr coach or anything so i dont know how well avant runs routes or anything but the mans hands are like glue. some of his catches this year just amazed me.
"Never give in, never, never, never, never, in nothing great or small, large or petty, never give in except to convictions of honor and good sense. Never yield to force; never yield to the apparently overwhelming might of the enemy.
Agree
I am a big Avant fan and will be extremely pissed if we don’t keep him.
I'm a Cowgirls Cockroach Troll - Beware
I think we'll keep him
I also get giddy when I think of Kolb throwing the ball to him accurately
"EFF YOU, WE'RE WINNING ANYWAY!!!!!!" (Bye, Dawk)
I agree in part
djack however worries me… i’m afraid he’s likely to become a nut case!!!!
by Elmo the faithful fan on Jan 14, 2010 3:56 PM EST up reply actions
Avant, Cole, Weaver, White, Jordan
The rest are pretty despensable.
Maybe if Trotter leaves, White can get his number back. I like White, he’s been doing a hell of a job and I’d like to see him stay. I feel like the others are givens.
In life, as in a football game, the principle to follow is: Hit the line hard.
-Theodore Roosevelt
The Eagles will put a price on most the guys
With all of them restricted free agents I could see the Eagles low balling offers and seeing if they get beat and have to match offers. Agents will have their work cut out for themselves, lol
LB by far
Is the most interesting position for the Eagles this offseason because of the poor and inconsistent play much of the season, large amount of FAs, and a position historically where the Eagles haven’t invested either high draft picks/signed big-name FAs.
You figure that ’Spoon will start at weakside LB (although he faded a bit down the stretch and look like he has lost a step/two), Bradley penciled in at MLB, and then need to figure out if they think Jordan or Gocong are the answer for at least 1-2 more seasons at SAM.
Figure they either bring back Gocong/Jordan to start at SAM, resign White if he isn’t too expensive for special teams coverage, and draft or sign a veteran MLB as some insurance this year for Bradley.
Jordan wouldn’t start at SAM. I think there’s always a chance that if they find a MIKE that they love that Bradley could be moved out to SAM.
mkelly
gocong isnt better than white or mays ,. hes pathetic .. do u guys not watch the eagles
An inconsistent coach is far worse than an inconsistent quarterback.(Route 36)
by jack is better than asante on Jan 13, 2010 9:13 PM EST up reply actions
Keep in mind
The more players we lose, the more picks we gain in next years draft
I have a man crush on DeSean Jackson
by maximdim on Jan 13, 2010 9:51 AM EST via mobile reply actions
Their late picks though. This shouldn’t be a factor at all with this crop of players.
by andyreidswaistline on Jan 13, 2010 10:06 PM EST up reply actions
LB - wise...
I think we should keep Jordan, in my mind he is a young developing linebacker with star-potential. As for our linebacking corps next year, what if we moved Stewart Bradley to SLB, and had ‘Spoon in the middle? Bradley played outside linebacker while in college so it’s not like it’s completely new to him. And the one time ‘Spoon played MLB I thought he didn’t do too bad, and I like his experience being a LB. Give Stu a little time to recover his ACL tear in a position where there’s not as much demanded from a player seeing as he had a year off. Or even better, we could switch to a 3-4 defensive scheme and have Jordan and Gocong/whoever on the outsides, and Bradley and ‘Spoon in the middle! That would be a scary LB group wouldn’t it? Too bad it’ll never happen..
I like the idea of Tracy White sticking around too.. He seems a bit like a ballhawk, always being around the ball making plays. I would like to see him signed as a special teams anchor as well as a cover LB in obvious passing downs..
This Goddamn 3-4 Thing Again...
1. The Eagles do not have the personnel to run a 3-4.
2. The Eagles do not have the personnel to run a 3-4.
3. The Eagles do not have the personnel to run a 3-4.
4. Neither Sean McD or Andy is a 3-4 coach.
I’m so sick of this “the Eagles should run a 3-4” thing. It’s so damn irritating.
Veritas Liberabit Te
by DSmith215 on Jan 13, 2010 3:53 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
how
how do they not have the personal .. bunkley at nt is a beast ..patterson and howard at the ends .. stand cole up as outside backer .. u dont know shit bro .. they have the personal .. i dont think they will go that route tho
An inconsistent coach is far worse than an inconsistent quarterback.(Route 36)
by jack is better than asante on Jan 13, 2010 9:14 PM EST up reply actions
Sorry, didn't mean to upset you..
I didn’t realize that 3-4 was a taboo subject on this blog haha
White will be unrestricted
which means I think they let him test the “market.”
As a special teamer and reserve LB I don’t think he’ll get a ton of great offers. If he doesn’t, then I’d like to see them bring him back in the same role that he had this year.
Weaver/Avant/Cole are as close to no-brainers as you can get. Bring them back, please.
Gaither/Jordan/Gocong should be an interesting situation. They’re going to have to keep at least one of them, and possibly two. In order of importance, I think it goes:
Jordan, Gocong, Gaither.
Other than that, it doesn’t bother me one way or another what happens. Here are my thoughts (if you care):
Alex Smith – would be nice to keep as ACL/Bust insurance for Ingram, but he’s not worth much more than that. If he’s affordable, then Celek/Ingram/Smith is a pretty nice TE corps. The question, however, is Martin Rucker better than him?
Sean Jones – Was okay, but I’d rather have a starter brought in from the draft. Not sure about available FA’s?
Babin – Thanks, but no thanks. Replace by draft.
Hobbs – Good returner, but unreliable in coverage. Replace by draft.
MJG – Above average reserve (only because of experience), but I’d be okay with him leaving. Replace by draft.
Trotter – Love you, but it’s over. Sorry man. Back to WIP you go.
Rocca – Bring him back to compete with another punter in camp.
Maybe I’m confused but I thought to be a UFA you had to be at 6+ years? Avant signed for four in 2006. I thought that would make Avant a RFA, what am I missing?
In life, as in a football game, the principle to follow is: Hit the line hard.
-Theodore Roosevelt
He will be a RFA. So will a lot of the others listed, but that doesn’t necessarily mean you have to bring them back. I was just addressing all of the RFA’s and UFA’s.
As for White… I was just correcting Jason. I’m pretty sure Tracy White will be a UFA no matter what happens with CBA.
Contract Lengths for all Eagles.
I know it’s the Eagle’s website… some don’t view it as a very reliable source, but this is where I was getting my info.
This site
is pretty good too
http://www.eaglescap.com/Players/JasonAvant.html
In life, as in a football game, the principle to follow is: Hit the line hard.
-Theodore Roosevelt
Yeah I was looking at that too, but that site I showed above explains (all in one place) who will be what depending on the CBA.
This offseason is going to be crazy (and unpredictable). Every potential move/contract/draft pick/FA that we talk about will have to have a disclaimer at the end of it that says “depending on what happens with the CBA.” It sucks. They need to figure out this CBA thing, fast!
Agreed!
does anyone know the deadline for the CBA to be in place?
In life, as in a football game, the principle to follow is: Hit the line hard.
-Theodore Roosevelt
I read your paragraph and then for some reason replaced Whites name with Avant… DOH!
In life, as in a football game, the principle to follow is: Hit the line hard.
-Theodore Roosevelt
Yeah I obviously confused myself!
In life, as in a football game, the principle to follow is: Hit the line hard.
-Theodore Roosevelt
I totally agree with all your assessments. You almost are forced to bring back Rocca, unless you sign a FA. I think we draft a punter late though to compete.
MJG is gone (he sucked last year)
Hobbs (can’t cover me) we draft CB high.
Babin (No roster spot for him, played OK) He is another JP.
Sean Jones- Average starter, need to draft a Saftie High. Unlikely we invest big cash here
Jordan – played OK, showed versitility by playing MLB.
Gocong – Got benched late last year, OK against the run, but suck on the pass,-Gone
Gaithers- Unreliable as a starter, but may be cheap, since Mays is getting cut- mays stay
Alex Smith- Will be resigned, just for depth, no guarantees with Ingram. Need insurance
Avant – If RFA stays, if UFA may demand a good check. If affordable stays.
Weaver – Definately resigns
Cole- Definately resigns, is a good guard, sucks at center.
In Kolb we trust
nah
jean giles is a better guard than cole .. he goes somewhere and is an all pro
An inconsistent coach is far worse than an inconsistent quarterback.(Route 36)
by jack is better than asante on Jan 13, 2010 9:17 PM EST up reply actions
Weaver, Avant, Hobbs, Jordan, Smith, White
Leonard Weaver—Do I even need to say why? The Pro Bowl vote alone should speak for itself.
Avant—Hands of glue. Clutch on 3rd down and a usually overlooked as one of the better run blocking WRs in the league. Plays with enough heart for everyone on the offense.
Hobbs—He may not have been the best CB, but our special teams went into a flux when he went down. Unless we bring in Justin Miller, I don’t mind having Hobbs around. Especially since he wants to stay.
Jordan—I believe Witherspoon is the starter on that side, but Akeem can at least provide insurance. He really went down hill after that injury and he should not have been put in at MLB, but he still provides no less than depth at the position.
Smith—This all depends on Ingram and Rucker. Ingram is coming off a second consecutive ACL repair to the same knee. Whether you want to believe it or not it is going to take him some time. And Rucker apparently was a scout team monster so if he keeps up at his pace than he could indeed be Celek’s back up. That being said Smith is a hell of a blocker and could find himself back next year depending on those guys development.
White—Valuable in rotation, priceless on Special Teams.
The best part of this discussion
is that besides Weaver, Avant, and Cole who are going to be restricted FA’s anyways, the list of players whose contracts are up are not absolutely essential to our team’s succes. Meaning that we are going to have relatively all the impact players back next year PLUS a healthy stew bradley (hopefully) I believe a healthy and much better stacy andrews (perhaps even shawn) PLUS hopefully one or two stud free agent signings, PLUS a few playmakers from the draft. MEANING that the Eagles, if people stay healthy (a big IF) and the offseason moves are adequate, COULD BE REAllY REALLY GOOD NEXT YEAR.
Hows that for a little optimism on BGN
Gocong
Probably to late now but I would have loved to see the Eagles try him out at Middle LB. He’s not bad vs the run and I think he would have made a great inside blitzer aka Trotter in his prime.
I'm not drunk I'm just drinking.
I think they did try him at MLB
for one game.
I don’t remember which game, but the general consensus was that it didn’t work.
But I thought the same thing as you before that game.
i want to keep
-avant: he has the best hands on the team
-weaver: he had an awesome season and i love finally having a fullback
-tracy white: he was our best special teamer in my opinion (discarding akers and jackson) and he also had some pretty nice plays on the defensive side of the ball
-sean jones: this is iffy. i want to keep jones if him leaving means macho or demps is starting. in other words, unless we are going to sign someone whos going to start or draft a rookie who will learn the system quickly, i want jones.
-nick cole: depth on the o-line always comes in handy for us.
-akeem jordan: i was really excited about him after the first few weeks of the season. i still think he had a somewhat good year and i want to see him back next season.
obviously this is a large list of people to keep. just listing the players i’d like to see back.
sean jones: this is iffy. i want to keep jones if him leaving means macho or demps is starting. in other words, unless we are going to sign someone whos going to start or draft a rookie who will learn the system quickly, i want jones.
I agree with this. Although Sean might’ve been average in coverage, and missed some tackles here or there, I thought he was our best safety. He made plays when he was in there and was pretty solid overall. I definitely prefer Sean over Macho or Demps, but I’d want to see us draft a safety high or bring in another FA before we stick with any of the three.
wow
I pretty much agree with this list. In this evaluation only 3-5 of the FAs would come back. I think a few of them will at least get the invite to training camp and compete for a job again, like Sav Rocca.
you forgot Witherspoon but nice job besides that.
thats Cobb on Kolb crime if you ask me... as said by yophillybro
Avant- Re-up
Weaver- Re-up
Babin- Bab-out
Cole- Meh, sure, what the hell
Jean-Gillies- C’ya
Gaither- 1 year deal
Gocong- for depth, fine
Hobbs- Never liked him, still don’t
Jones- For the right money, I could live with him
Smith- Good insurance
Rocca- Farewell
Jordan and White- Both good for depth and White’s Special Team skills help
Trotter- Goes away for the 3rd time. We can sign him mid-season if things go awry again. It’s not like there’s high demand for 30+ year old linebackers who suck in coverage.
babin was bgn's pre season hero
before that it was mcdougle… its a shame babin just didnt have what it took
E-A-G-L-E-S EAGLES!!!
If Trotter works hard in the offseason I think he could come back maybe just coming out of retirement he wasn’t full-force, just hopeful thinking I suppose I liked having a veteran on the team even if he wasn’t a major upgrade.
max
max and weaver .. thats all i care about getting back
An inconsistent coach is far worse than an inconsistent quarterback.(Route 36)
by jack is better than asante on Jan 13, 2010 9:18 PM EST reply actions
My list to bring back...
Avant, Cole, Gaither, Gocong, Jean-Gilles, Jordan, and Weaver.
So you think Jordan should be a backup?
I don’t know do you really think our run defense would suffer if we started Bradley, Spoon, and Jordan? I just don’t like Gocong on passing downs he never jams the tight end and is all but a liability in coverage
Forgotten man
I want Antonio Dixon back in green next year too.
Weaver, Avant, Dixon, Cole, Jordan & White
by andyreidswaistline on Jan 14, 2010 12:52 AM EST reply actions
there are gonna be some pretty sick free agent linebackers this year….James Harrison, Demeco Ryans, Elvis Dumerrall, Shawne Merriman, Barrett Ruud, though most of them will be resigned its still fun to hope….
by thewhitestkidyouknow on Jan 14, 2010 8:15 AM EST reply actions
You hit it on the head
Jason, and the above posts are pretty much a consensus.
I think they should make an effort to bring back Hobbs as KOR/4th corner, but you’re right, he should get an offer from someone.
Quite a few either/or guys who we could take or leave, guys who have played their way out of Eagles’ fan goodwill.
Still waiting for the Eagles to Bring It Home For Jerome
by D3Keith on Jan 16, 2010 4:41 PM EST via mobile reply actions
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