Eric Winston, a highly regarded offensive tackle at 6-7, 302, 8th year out of Miami, was released by the Kansas City Chiefs last night.
Winston has started in 96 straight games in the NFL. He was originally drafted by Houston in the 3rd round in 2006. Last season was his first for the Chiefs on a 4-year, $22 million contract…
What does Winston's sudden availability mean to Eagles fans? First, I think it means we can cross OT's Luke Joeckel and/or Eric Fisher off our Draftmas lists, as it seems apparent Andy Reid is making room for his #1 pick. He already has his starting QB…now he's taking care of business at offensive tackle.
Secondly, the Eagles were one of the first teams to contact Eric Winston today about possible employment in Philadelphia. This report makes me think the Birds will not be going for an offensive tackle in Round 1…unless Joeckel and/or Fisher are still available.
Kenny Kenemeka, our esteemed columnist from Indianapolis, sees it as Andy Reid tipping his hand in the Draft—and really not caring who knows. But Kenny reminds us that Andy can still trade down a few spots, get an extra later round pick, and still pick up one of the top three tackles coming out in the Draft.
According to Les Bowen of the Philadelphia Daily News, the Eagles "definitely" have interest in Eric Winston. Winston's agent, Drew Rosenhaus, said that his client will have no trouble finding work. That is no surprise after the season Winston had last year.
Winston allowed just three sacks last season in over 1,000 snaps according to ProFootballFocus last season. To put that in perspective, Dennis Kelly and King Dunlap allowed a combined six sacks in just over 800 snaps.
I'm not sure it's fair to compare sacks-per-snaps when other metrics like scheme, experience, QB escapability and relative pressure are not figured in. But certainly Winston could likely come in and start at right tackle, allowing the Eagles to move Todd Herremans back to guard and Danny Watkins to the bench, among other scenarios.
That would not be the worst alternative to missing out on Joeckel or Fisher…And the cap space is certainly there for the Eagles to sign Winston.
CORNERBACK SPECULATION CONTINUES…
The Free Agent market for cornerbacks is one way for the Eagles to add depth without necessarily drafting for it.
Jordan Raanan of NJ.com has taken the entire list of 50 free agents at the position this year and narrowed it down to his personal Top 8 "Best Cornerbacks Available":
1. Cary Williams (Ravens)
Williams is a physical corner willing to tackle. I'm a big fan of his game. He's not a lockdown No. 1 who you can throw out there on an island to shut down a star receiver, but he is good enough to have as the top CB on a Super Bowl-winning team. With a lack of a shutdown corner on the market, Williams is my top available player at the position, and someone that should interest the Eagles if they are truly trying to toughen up their defense.
2. Chris Houston (Lions)
Houston, 28, has been a solid cover corner for several seasons now in Detroit. He's held his own against some of the league's top receivers. In the right system and with some help on the other side Houston can really thrive, especially if the Eagles select Dee Milliner with their top pick.
3. Aqib Talib (Patriots)
Talib is probably the best player in this group. He changed the Patriots defense when he was shipped there in a mid-season trade. Talib, though, comes with major off-the-field baggage. So much so that the Bucs wanted to get rid of a 26-year-old No. 1 cornerback for a fourth-round pick. The Eagles are trying to create a new culture. It's unlikely they'll take on this type of headache.
4. Brent Grimes (Falcons)
Grimes is a Philly native who made the Pro Bowl in the 2011 season. Atlanta thought enough of his coverage skills last year to franchise him. This year, however, Grimes is coming off an Achilles injury. He would be a big gamble for the Eagles, or any team for that matter. Any loss of speed could prove deadly for a cornerback.
5. Sean Smith (Dolphins)
Smith has the big frame but doesn't play real physical. He's not a premier athlete either. He is a solid player though. While not a true No. 1 or anywhere near as good as he thinks he is, Smith is a player you can definitely win with as a starting cornerback. At 6-foot-3, 218 pounds he seems to fit the physical parameters set by new coach Chip Kelly.
6. Sam Shields (Packers)
Shields, 25, has shown improvement every season and would be a nice addition to any secondary. He's a restricted free agent though. It would likely cost a second-round draft pick and hefty contract to keep the Packers from retaining his services. The Eagles don't appear intent on relinquishing draft picks as they attempt to overhaul their roster and add more depth to improve their special teams.
7. Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie (Eagles)
Rodgers-Cromartie, 26, is the most talented player on this list. He's 6-foot-2, runs a sub 4.40 40-yard dash and has a Pro Bowl appearance on his resume. When teams watch tape of the Eagles' first two games of the season (vs. Cleveland and Baltimore) they'll be impressed. When they watch film of DRC late in the season when the Eagles' season was crumbling, they'll be turned off. He's not the kind of player the Eagles are looking to build around in the secondary or in the locker room as they reshape the team.
8. Dunta Robinson (Falcons)
Robinson is soon-to-be 31 and on the downside of his career. His coverage skills have slipped in recent years, prompting Atlanta to make him a salary-cap casualty this offseason. But Robinson is still a starting cornerback with pretty good tackling skills who can use his physicality to help the Eagles against the run and on screens, something they've struggled with in recent years. At the right price, he would be a good complementary corner.
I appreciate Raanan's list, and it's somewhat discouraging that DRC is on it. But sometimes a very good talent is just not a "good fit". I guess DRC is a poster child for that statement.
One thing I believe is you can never have enough (or too much) depth at cornerback. Year after year we see winning teams overcoming injury and adversity in their defensive backfields by bringing in "the next man up". That's why Sam Shields jumps out at me on the list. He was one of the guys that stepped up from obscurity in Green Bay's last Super Bowl run.
That's also why I still have high hopes for guys like Curtis Marsh, Brandon Boykin and Brandon Hughes. These are not throwaway talents. You need them for depth and you will inevitably need them for long relief stints during the season. You hope they improve every year, like Sam Shields and Cary Williams have done. Cornerback is a tough position with a steep learning curve in the NFL.
My ideal scenario for the corner in Philly this season: restructure Aso or trade for a quality veteran, sign Chris Houston, draft a top rookie prospect, and keep building depth with Boykin, Marsh and Hughes. Let's go to camp with a roster loaded at corner like that and see what shakes out.
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