Philadelphia Eagles Offseason Free Agency Guide - Part 14: Cornerbacks
by Bob_Q on Mar 1, 2010 9:03 PM EST
23 comments
The 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? Cornerbacks.
At first glance, the Eagles would appear to have one of the deepest cornerback corps in the league. However, when you remove nickel back and kick return ace Ellis Hobbs, who will likely be departing via free agency after a serious neck injury, you are left with Asante "tackling is overrated" Samuel, an aging Sheldon Brown, a limited special teams player in Dimitri Patterson, Geoffrey Pope the Enigma, and Joselio Hanson. The losses of Patterson, Hobbs, and Hanson during the 2009 season left the Philadelphia defense in desperate need of reliable depth, so look for the Eagles to make a play on a cornerback either in the free agency market or early on in the draft. Here are a few options available on March 5th:
Rod Hood (UFA): Could it be time for Hood's second stint with the Eagles? Since departing Philadelphia after the 2006 season, Hood has developed a habit of turning an opposing quarterback's mistake into a pick six, racking up nine INTs and three defensive touchdowns in three seasons. Granted, as a starter Hood occasionally gets faked out on coverage plays, but could find a home in a more limited role such as a nickel corner. His knowledge of the late Jim Johnson's defense couldn't hurt, either.
Stanford Routt (UFA): In the typical Raiders mold, the 26 year old Routt is one of the fastest cornerbacks in the league, posting an impressive 4.25 40 time in the 2005 NFL Combine. He possesses excellent footwork and quickness, and his 6'1" height allows him to go up for the jump ball. He also has experience playing special teams. However. Routt has been known to make mental mistakes and cause discipline problems, even getting ejected for a scuffle during the Browns game. Still, with the Eagles addition of the elite defensive backs coach Dick Jauron, the young Routt has the chance to develop into a more disciplined, complete player in a positive environment.
Frank Walker (UFA): The 28 year old Walker is a speedy nickel corner with a knack for picking off passes for big returns. Although not used much during his last two seasons with the Ravens, his solid tackling skills and elite speed could be of use as a nickel or dime corner in Sean McDermott's defense. One thing to watch out for with Walker, though, is his tendency to draw penalties.
Other Available Free Agents:
- Dunta Robinson (UFA)
- Richard Marshall (RFA)
- Carlos Rogers (RFA)
- Fabian Washington (RFA)
- Nick Harper (UFA)
- Leigh Bodden (UFA)
- Dre Bly (UFA)
- Ken Lucas (UFA)
- Marlin Jackson (RFA)
- Anthony Henry (UFA)
- William Gay (RFA)
- Deshea Townsend (UFA)
- Ty Law (UFA)
- Walt Harris (UFA)
- William James (UFA)
- Tramon Williams (RFA)
- Kevin Dockery (RFA)
- Karl Paymah (RFA)
- T.J. Rushing (RFA)
- DeMarcus Faggins (UFA)
- Benny Sapp (UFA)
- Brian Williams (UFA)
- Tim Jennings (RFA)
- Nate Jones (UFA)
- Hank Poteat (UFA)
- Ralph Brown (UFA)
- Dante Wesley (UFA)
- Keiwan Ratliff (UFA)
- Will Blackmon (RFA)
In the next installment, we will be taking a look at kickers. 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.
Previous articles: QB, HB, FB, TE, WR, OT, OG, C, DT, DE, OLB, MLB, S
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Wow what a weak list of free agents
Lets hope Haden falls
RIP Jim Johnson. You will truly be missed.
Bodden had a fine year with the pats.
I’d bring him in if the price is right
My "t" and "y" buttons are messed up so don't bitch at me about misspelling, I'm just saying.
by RadioheadbeatlesEagles on Mar 1, 2010 9:27 PM EST reply actions
I thought about adding Bodden to the list
But he’d likely ask for starter money when Brown and Samuel are already the clear-cut starters, plus not a season goes by where Bodden isn’t out with some sort of injury
Yeah I was also thinkin...
If didn’t already have clear cut starters philly could make dunta robinson a force too.
Desean is Rampage Jackson on a rampage outside of the cage
by birdsflyinhigh2590 on Mar 1, 2010 9:47 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
yeah he's gunna cost too much
My "t" and "y" buttons are messed up so don't bitch at me about misspelling, I'm just saying.
by RadioheadbeatlesEagles on Mar 1, 2010 9:48 PM EST up reply actions
I'm going Raiders on Bird Nation
6’1 size, 4.25 speed, I like Stanford Routt, he might be a stud in our scheme, but only if we can generate pass rush
Poor Lito.
He used to be pretty darned good. It’s a shame to see him as a butt of jokes now, but he asked for it with his wacky contract negotiations (read demands) during a season where he was less than healthy.
I like Rod Hood for sentimentality reasons – he’s my favorite on this list BUT…
Corner is one of the few positions where we have plenty of experience and leadership with Sheldon and Asante, but both are getting older. This is a great place for drafting and developing talent rather than picking up an experienced free agent.
I read today that the Eagles are most likely bringing Hobbs back but if it is cheap I wouldn’t mind bringing Rod Hood back.
I hope Hobbs is healthy.
He’s not the best Corner out there, but I don’t care if he’s a fifth QB the way he returns that ball.
come to think of it...
… you can dress him up in the Swoop costume for rest of the game, as long as he’s doing the returns.
lets keep it that way.
My "t" and "y" buttons are messed up so don't bitch at me about misspelling, I'm just saying.
by RadioheadbeatlesEagles on Mar 2, 2010 1:24 AM EST up reply actions
i know ty law is old as dirt.....
but you could do worse for a nickel corner. he’s savvy. dunta robinson would be great but only if sheldon moved back to safety. can’t pay him starter money to be a nickel back. the guy hits like a safety though. i wouldn’t complain about richard marshall either. or ken lucas…..come to think of it, who the hell is playing corner for carolina these days?
"it's like i tell my ex-wife, i never drive faster than i can see, and besides it's all in the reflexes." -Jack Burton, Big trouble in little China
not back as in past tense.
just further from the line of scrimmage.
"it's like i tell my ex-wife, i never drive faster than i can see, and besides it's all in the reflexes." -Jack Burton, Big trouble in little China
Walker
The people in Baltimore can’t stand him and for good reason. Not an option.
how do you grade these FA's?
Most of the top 3 FAs you usually recommend seem to follow a standard profile: they’ve been great, but their performance, particularly in the last year, has gone down the tubes. This is the case for the 3 CBs you listed. Meanwhile, Leigh Bodden, way down on your CB list, put in a top 15 performance last year. Tramon Williams also graded quite high for 2009 play.
it should also be noted...
…that the Eagles need a new nickel. Hanson’s performance last year was awful (though not nearly as bad as Routt EGADS NO!).
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