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The NFL has been referred to as a copycat league and a game of trends. Unfortunately for the Eagles, over the last few years, the team's trends have mostly been surrounded by negativity. From wins plummeting from year-to-year to the offense's inability to score in the redzone, the Eagles have been marred in patterns that have left a bad taste in the mouths of all associated with the organization. However, one trend the Eagles have become familiar with has rubbed off on front offices across the league in a good way.
Once upon a time, the majority of the NFL's wheelings and dealings involved a player for a draft pick. For years, the NBA and MLB were known for their flashy multiple player swaps that captured the attention of the media and fans. However, over the last few seasons, NFL teams have been getting in on the player swap act with the Eagles serving as the true trailblazers for the once-rare deals.
There have been nine (technically 10, if you considered the voided trade between the Browns and Seahawks this week) player-for-player trades this offseason alone. Of those trades, the Eagles have been involved in three player-for-player swaps. On top of those moves, eight of the nine player-for-player trades this offseason were done with at least one team that has a former Philadelphia executive or coach as a major decision-maker. In fact, four of the nine player-for-player trades have happened within the last two weeks and all have them have involved former or current Eagles' employees pulling the trigger.
Here are the nine trades that have taken place this offseason:
- The Patriots sent running back Jeff Demps to the Buccaneers for running back LaGarrette Blount.
- The Ravens (John Harbaugh) traded wide receiver David Reed to the Colts for Delone Carter (Ryan Grigson).
- The Eagles (Howie Roseman) shipped running back Dion Lewis to the Browns (Joe Banner) for linebacker Emmanuel Acho.
- The Eagles (Roseman) sent offensive lineman Nate Menkin to the Texans for wide receiver Jeff Maehl.
- The Colts (Grigson) traded linebacker Jerry Hughes to the Bills for linebacker Kelvin Sheppard.
- The Eagles (Roseman) swapped fullback Stanley Havili for defensive lineman Clifton Geathers from the Colts (Grigson).
- The Broncos (Tom Heckert) traded defensive tackle Sealver Siliga to the Seahawks for offensive lineman John Moffit.
- The Cardinals traded fullback Anthony Sherman to the Chiefs (Andy Reid) for cornerback Javier Arenas.
- The Chiefs (Reid) dealt wide receiver Jon Baldwin to the 49ers for wide receiver A.J. Jenkins.