Philadelphia Eagles Offseason Free Agency Guide - Part 8: Centers
by Bob_Q on Feb 17, 2010 10:34 PM EST
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PrintThe trading/free agent signing period is fast approaching, so the Eagles front office will have to decide who they plan to pursue come March 5th. Over the next few weeks at BGN, we will be taking a position-by-position look at who we could see in an Eagles uniform come training camp. Today's position? Centers.
Jamaal Jackson's season-ending ACL tear may not have just cost the Eagles a postseason win, but may also affect their play in 2010. It is unlikely that the quarterback of our offensive line will be ready come week one, so the Eagles will need to find a temporary replacement to hold the line. Nick Cole, Mike McGlynn, A.Q. Shipley, and Dallas Reynolds are the current options, but none possess the top-end talent necessary to consistently protect McNabb/Kolb/Vick/whoever's backside. The best option for the Eagles at this point would be a Brett Favre-like signing - a skilled starter brought in for a single season while the depth at his position is sorted out. Here are a few available players:
Kevin Mawae (UFA): At 39, the former Titan is certainly the Brett Favre of centers. His resume is loaded with eight Pro Bowl selections (including 2009) and three All-Pro selections. Mawae is a natural leader who possesses superb football acumen. He can also be a deadly force in the run game, and was a large factor in LenDale White's 1,110-yard rushing yard season in 2008 as well as Chris Johnson's MVP season in 2009. If Mawae chooses to play for one more year, he could be an amazing anchor for the Eagles line. As for the possibility of Mawae re-signing and staying with the Titans for one more year, it looks like that option is quickly fading.
Casey Rabach (UFA): The 32 year old Redskin is a reliable starter with good technique and a high level of football smarts. He would be a good option to captain the offensive line in Jamaal Jackson's absence, but would likely relinquish his starting center position once Jackson is back to 100%.
John Wade (UFA): After being waived from the Raiders roster on September 9th of last season, the 35 year old Wade has stayed out of football and is currently available to sign with any team. If the Eagles are willing to take a one-year gamble on this oft-injured center, he has the chance to perform as a suitable stand-in for Jackson. The 6'5" 300lb Wade uses every bit of his size to produce tough, physical play. He also is an experienced starter who makes good adjustments at the line and could bring discipline to a very young offensive line.
Other Available Free Agents:
- Chris Spencer (RFA)
- Jason Spitz (RFA)
- Chris White (RFA)
- Duke Preston (RFA)
- Rudy Niswanger (RFA)
- Eric Ghiaciuc (RFA)
- Seth McKinney (UFA)
- Wade Smith (UFA)
- Nick Leckey (UFA)
- Dennis Norman (UFA)
In the next installment, we will be taking a look at defensive tackles. Feel free to leave any suggestions on who to examine in the comments section. For more information on unrestricted vs. restricted free agents in a potentially uncapped year, check out this great article over at Mocking The Draft.
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Not Wade
The last thing I want on this team is more injury.
About 10 minutes ago, I was pondering my own existence. Then I decided that it didn't matter.
the 35 year old Wade
isnt this no country for old men as far as the eagles are concerned
being waived from the Raiders , dam maybe he should have been a kicker ha ha
R.I.P Jim Johnson 1941-2009
we will miss you Jim Johnson, thank you for everything you done to the eagles defense making them the best of the best, RIP JJ...
by EAGLE_MAN71 on Feb 17, 2010 10:50 PM EST up reply actions
Yeah, and there’s just no chance we sign a 39 year old like Mawae. He won’t want to come here because we will simply not offer him the contract he wants.
About 10 minutes ago, I was pondering my own existence. Then I decided that it didn't matter.
Wait, what?
Nobody’s going to offer him a 4 year contract.
He’s going to get a 1 year deal, 2 if he’s lucky, no matter where he goes. He is the President of the NFLPA. He knows what’s up.
I am the people's troll :3™
When I say we won't give him "the contract he wants"
I’m not talking length. I’m talking dollars. I doubt we’d pay him.
About 10 minutes ago, I was pondering my own existence. Then I decided that it didn't matter.
I don’t see why we wouldn’t if the Eagles were to consider him. I just don’t think they’d consider him.
I am the people's troll :3™
I think they WOULD consider him if the asking price was lower, but he’s going to retire soon and probably wants a payday and a starting job before he does. If we don’t consider him, its probably because of cost, not age. But then again, it looks like we’re both saying he wont be in green next year anyway so its a moot point.
About 10 minutes ago, I was pondering my own existence. Then I decided that it didn't matter.
I don’t think the Eagles will sign Mawae (or any free agent center). My guess is that the Eagles think Nick Cole will be able to hold down the fort while Jackson recovers. Given an offseason to prepare, he’ll be more effective as the center and produce less mistakes.
The biggest problem with bringing in Mawae is that I guarantee you he would not take a backseat to Jackson, which is what the Eagles would eventually ask of him when Jackson is fully recovered. Nick Cole is comfortable with his role as a versatile guy that does whatever is asked of him.
I am the people's troll :3™
Regarding Jackson
I think that the FO has to assume no Jackson at all next year. They say a year at best with those injuries so that is playoffs next year, and do you replace your starting center with someone that is rusty at that time? I don’t like it but realistically I think we are looking at 2011 for Jackson’s return. I don’t think that Mawae would need to worry about taking a back seat, at least not in 2010.
I'm a Cowgirls Cockroach Troll - Beware
yeah
I think we’ve seen the last of skill players in the first 2 rounds for a while… we stray away for a couple seasons and our lines go to crap… thank god we really made some good picks on mccoy and maclin… we’ve seen 2nd rounders not work out before (ryan moats)
okay cole could be our starting center
or our primary backup at all three interior positions. I say sign Mawae for one year while we need a stopgap, then Jackson comes back as another solid backup as the year progresses. Mawae is a perfect 1 year stop-gap, he’s still solid an can be a great leader for our o-line. I highly doubt we make it happen though, hopefully theres another good option out there.
My "t" and "y" buttons are messed up so don't bitch at me about misspelling, I'm just saying.
by RadioheadbeatlesEagles on Feb 18, 2010 4:42 PM EST reply actions
The idea might not be as far-fetched as you think. Looks like the guys at PhiladelphiaEagles.com agree.
Rabach would be interesting, but I see Cole at C until Jackson is back
picking up FAs from division rivals and going to the playoffs with them is so devastating…
by OBrienSchofieldismyHero on Feb 18, 2010 6:53 PM EST reply actions
It all depends on Jackson’s recovery speed. To be honest, I wouldn’t be against a Mawae signing. They could put Jackson on the PUP list, and begin to slowly test the knee in practice. I think the NFL recovery time for an ACL tear is a little less than the full year some people are citing, but signing Mawae would be a good solution to what COULD be a big problem. There’s no guarantee Jackson will be back at full strength at any point next year, but if he is, that could create a little linemen drama. But hey, too many starting quality players is a problem the Eagles are used to dealing with, and I’m sure they wouldn’t mind dealing with it again.
I am the people's troll :3™
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