Eagles Blog

This could help the Eagles. 

Per Bob Glauber of Newsday:

“The Rams would likely move Saffold to right tackle if they signed Long, and Saffold probably doesn’t want to move off a more lucrative position. Saffold is entering a contract year, and left tackles make nearly double the money — on average — that right tackles do. St. Louis considers Saffold a strong starter and does not want to lose him. How this plays out might get interesting.”

The Rams could offer Long a deal to play RT, but you wonder how much they would pay, knowing that Saffold will need a new deal next year.  The Rams might decide leaving Saffold at LT is the way to go and they’ll just add a RT in the draft.  They do have a pair of 1st round picks. 

If Long leaves STL, the market for him would be wide open.  Stay tuned.

Jason Cole of Yahoo said on Twitter:

“STL is not in a rush to sign LT Jake Long, it will do all the due diligence on his health.”

I asked Jason what the primary concerns with Long were and he answered “back, shoulder, knee, triceps”.  Yikes. Didn’t realize Jake had that many issues, healthwise. 

Jake started the first 48 games of his career.  He then missed 2 in 2011 and missed 4 at the end of 2012.  The fact the Dolphins let him walk may tell you that they had some injury concerns as well.  A torn triceps is what ended the 2012 season for him early.  While that’s not good, it isn’t as if he’s coming back from a torn ACL, ruptured achilles, or major back surgery. 

It will be interesting to see what the Rams do and if the Eagles do try to stay involved.

From Packers blogger Kyle Cousineau:

“(former Packers LB) Erik Walden signed a contract that is worth almost as much as Reggie White’s contract with the Packers 20 years ago.”

Wow. Has NFL money changed or what?

Per Dan Graziano, ESPN’s NFC East blogger:

“Eagles are looking at the OT market. Jake Long appears unlikely, but they will check in on Andre Smith, Sebastian Vollmer.”

I just can’t see Smith as a Chip Kelly player. Smith isn’t in good shape. He is a mediocre pass blocker, at best.  He can be a dominant run blocker.  I just have a hard time seeing him as a good fit for an up-tempo, no-huddle offense. 

Vollmer would be fine.  Frankly, I’m surprised we didn’t hear more about him on Tuesday.

Longer and better quality. Dude can hit.

Wait until you see the shot he lands on Chad Henne. Wow.

John Clark goes to the airport to get a quick word with James Casey and Isaac Sopoaga. Welcome to Philly, guys.

http://www.nbcphiladelphia.com/video/#!/blogs/birds-nest/The-Newest-Eagles-Arrive/197712741

Be warned…opening commercial is very loud. Video is then 2 mins long.

Sounds like there is a good chance the Rams get him.  From Albert Breer:

“OT Jake Long will take a physical in St. Louis tomorrow, and the chances he signs there hinge on its results.”

He always seemed like a longshot to the Eagles, but we’ll see.

Sigmund Bloom is a football writer and analyst, and a must follow on Twitter.  Here is his take on the Eagles busy day:

“LOVE what the Eagles did. Casey perfect fit in Kelly O, Sopoaga cheap true 3-4 NT, Fletcher physical startable CB and Chung reunited w Kelly, could be one of steals of FA class, upgrade at safety… all very reasonable deals, too.”

Matt Waldman is a skills player guru.  He wrote about James Casey last May as an “emerging talent”.  Here’s the full piece.  Good stuff.