The Eagles kicked off free agency as expected by re-signing DE Juqua Thomas. It had been widely speculated that a deal was already in place, but due to NFL rules a guy that played for the vet minimum the previous season can not re-sign with this his current team before free agency.
It's a 5 year deal worth $12.5M with a $4.2M signing bonus.
Obviously it's a solid move. The depth JT provided last year was invaluable and you can never have enough solid defensive ends. He racked up career highs in sacks with 6 and tackles with 47 last year in a backup role.
In other NFL news some veterans were cut loose yesterday that could be of some interest to the Eagles. LBs Joey Porter and Brian Simmons(he was cut earlier in the week plus WRs Keenan McCardell, Antonio Bryant, & Joe Horn.
Porter is a 3-4 player and might not be the best fit here, but he is an intimidating presence behind the line and certainly wouldn't hurt. He's 29 though and I expect he'll get a pretty healthy payday.
G Cobb says Brian Simmons could help us. He's not a spectacular player, but he's very solid and he's a leader. He'd certainly upgrade our LB corps and he may not come at a huge price tag.
Veteran WR Joe Horn pretty much hates the Saints right now. He's 35 and had injury troubles last year, but he could be an interesting short term option to replace Stallworth. When he was health last year he showed he can still play at a very high level and will likely look to go somewhere he thinks he can win. He may also not mind sticking it to the Saint's organization. The Atlanta Falcons, Miami Dolphins, Cleveland Browns and Green Bay Packers are rumored to have contacted his agent.
Keenan McCardell just turned 37 in January and isn't coming off a very good year. He's a "name" player but he's no better than anything we already have on the roster.
Antonio Bryant is a talent, but attitude challenged WR... Anyone care to guess whether the Eagles would be interested in him? lol
Remember Hank "honeybuns" Fraley? He was traded to the Browns last year for a deal that included an "undisclosed 2008 pick." That pick was finally revealed to be a 5th rounder.