Eagles Blog

PHI could be a perfect fit for several of SF’s defensive free agents. Switch to 3-4 and Tom Gamble presence point in that direction.

— Daniel Jeremiah (@MoveTheSticks) March 9, 2013

Will be interesting to see how many (if any) guys come over.

S Dashon Goldson
DL Ricky Jean-Francois
DE Isaac Sopoaga
ILB Larry Grant
CB Tramaine Brock (RFA)

The Steelers have groomed Steve McClendon to take over for Casey Hampton at NT.  McClendon is the guy they’d like to have at NT in 2013, but he’s a restricted free agent.  Today the Steelers made their RFA tender on him and went at the lowest level.  This means that other teams can sign him to an offer sheet, but won’t have to give up any compensation if the Steelers don’t match the offer. There was speculation that the Steelers would place a 2nd or 3rd round tender on him.

The Eagles should consider McClendon a target.  He is a young, ascending player.  He’s listed at 6-4, 280, but isn’t.  At his Pro Day in 2009 he was just under 6-2 and weighed 305 pounds.  He had bulked up to get to 305 so maybe he weighs 290 or 295.  He’s not 6-4.

Generally there is very little RFA movement in the NFL, but some have speculated that could change this year. Teams like the Steelers are against the cap and had to use low tenders.  There is no reason not to make an offer on McClendon.  He’ll only cost money, just like UFAs.

(h/t to @eaglesnut for finding the tender info)

Per this report, the Bucs, Patriots and Cards are the frontrunners to land the big CB.  No word on the Eagles, aside from what Geoff Mosher has already reported.

It is kind of funny that the team that traded Aqib Talib (Tampa) and the team that traded for Talib (the Pats) are looking for CB help.  Tampa was tired of him.  The Pats must not be sold on giving him a long term deal.  Talib is incredibly talented.  Such a frustrating person/player.

Clark Judge interviewed Evan Mathis and got some great info on what happened to Mathis in free agency last year.  Mathis ended up getting a good deal, but things did not go exactly how he hoped. Thank god he did re-sign.  We might have gotten a QB killed without him to give us one really good O-lineman.

Ron Jaworski is doing some writing for ESPN Insider on teams that are looking for QBs. In his section on the Cardinals, he mentions Nick Foles as a possible trade target.

“In my opinion, Foles doesn’t seem to fit what new coach Chip Kelly wants to run offensively in Philadelphia. I believe Foles will be on the trading block, and I think he has some big upside for teams that will ante up. While he’s not the mobile QB Kelly may require for his schemes, in a more typical NFL offense that doesn’t require the threat of a run from the QB, I believe Foles can be very effective. He’s got a strong arm and can make all the throws. He needs some work, but if a team wants to make him their guy and put the time into developing him, they’re going to get a good young QB.”

 If the Cards could draft an OT at #7 and then trade for a QB, that would be optimal. There is some speculation that the Cardinals are hoping the Raiders release veteran Carson Palmer.

Would the Cards really trade for another Eagles QB?  Hard to say.  This is a new coach and GM out there.

I still think the tricky part is compenstation.  I’m not dealing Foles for just a 3rd rounder.  Is there any way the Cards would give up a 2nd?  That’s possible if they look at the current crop of draft prospects and don’t see anyone to like.  Or maybe the Cards give you a 3rd and something else.  Too many possibilities to cover them all.

Remember, this is just me speculating about Jaws speculating about what the Cards might or might not do.  How’s that for a sure thing?

Is that enough alliteration for you?  The Eagles need a NT. We don’t know if they’ll want to pay for a proven starter or just want to bring in someone to battle Antonio Dixon for the job.  Sammie Lee Hill (6-4, 329) could be of interest.  He has some starting experience, but was stuck behind Nick Fairley and Ndamukong Suh in Detroit. He wants more time (and more money).

You won’t have to break the bank to get him because he isn’t a proven starter, but Hill has terrific size and is talented.  He could be the kind of player the Eagles target. Right age. Right size.  Right Cost. And he’s got upside.

Per this article, at least 4 teams are interested in him and the Lions aren’t one.  Most likely they know they need a cheaper backup with big money in Fairley and Suh.  None of the 4 teams is mentioned so we don’t know if the Eagles are in that group.

Arguably the top SS on the market is gone now.

Falcons have agreed to terms on a five-year contract with S William Moore.

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 9, 2013

Was told #Eagles are still in the mix for Sean Smith but obviously they have competition. Probably know more later this weekend.

— Geoff Mosher (@GeoffMosherCSN) March 9, 2013

And after today’s Pro Day at Texas A & M, scouts believe it’s hard to imagine the Chiefs bypassing OT Luke Joeckel with No. 1 overall pick.

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 9, 2013

Also, there is a feeling among some people that the Jaguars could use the #2 pick on CB Dee Milliner. Remember that Gus Bradley came over from Seattle where he had a pair of big, physical CBs.  Richard Sherman was taken in the 5th round, but that is a major anomaly.  I think Bradley is smart enough to realize that.  I’m still not sure Milliner goes #2, but it is an interesting possibility.

When doing research on CBs the Eagles could be interested in I put some numbers together to help me compare them.  Clearly these numbers don’t tell the whole story, but they are a useful tool.