To paraphrase our resident talent scout-emeritus, JB-Sage-Lion, "Why are so many teams over-spending on second-tier free agent players?"
Wait a week or two, and the price tags would have been a lot less… but there is a level of desperation to win NOW that is pervasive among at least 30 NFL teams that are tired of losing… And the Free Agent gold rush is mighty tempting to them…
I am thankful that the Eagles are showing some restraint. The real future payoff lies in the Draft…and the Eagles top brass seems to get that…
The Eagles didn't make the big move fans were hoping for on Tuesday, but they were busy as the first day of NFL free agency kicked off. They went for "role players"…
Cornerback Bradley Fletcher, tight end James Casey, safety Patrick Chung, linebacker Jason Phillips and defensive lineman Isaac Sopoaga all inked multi-year deals with the Birds. And allow me to emphasize—"reasonable" deals.
While none are expected to start at the top of the depth chart, they do provide some depth on a team that lacked it last season. One thing the Eagles' free-agent aqcuisitions do have in common, however, is their ability to contribute on special teams.
Perhaps the biggest signing of the group was Casey, a 6-3, 240 pound athlete who has played both fullback and tight end. Casey was given a three-year deal worth $12 million with $6 million guaranteed.
The five-year veteran had 34 receptions for 330 yards and three touchdowns last season playing behind Owen Daniels. Casey likely appealed to Chip Kelly for his versatility. A running back in college, Casey will allow the Eagles to do more two tight-end sets. The signing will not do anything to change Brent Celek's spot on the depth chart, but it might mean the end of Clay Harbor's tenure in Philadelphia.
James Casey, 6-3, 243, 4th year out of Rice, 5th round pick of the Texans in 2009, is a hybrid fullback/tight end…
The Eagles added two players who could potentially start in a secondary that is in the process of undergoing a major facelift.
Fletcher, who was given a two-year deal worth $5.25 million, started four games for the St. Louis Rams last season. The veteran cornerback notched 25 tackles, eight passes defensed, one forced fumble and one sack. With the release of Nnamdi Asomugha, Fletcher already has more NFL experience than any other cornerback currently on the roster, and will be given the chance to win a starting job during training camp.
Chung, a veteran safety who spent his entire career with the New England Patriots, signed a three-year deal. Chung blocked a punt, blocked a field goal and returned an interception for a touchdown in a game against the Miami Dolphins in 2010. He also has a tie to Kelly, as Chung graduated from Oregon three years ago. Like Fletcher, Chung will likely be given the chance to win a starting job in training camp as the Eagles are thought to be looking to replace both Kurt Coleman and Nate Allen.
The signing of Phillips, a linebacker who has spent time with both the Baltimore Ravens and Carolina Panthers, was also a move aimed at improving the team's special teams. Phillips, who was given a two-year deal, had 16 special teams tackles in 16 games played last season.
One signing that had very little to do with special teams, and everything to do with clogging up the middle of the Eagles' new 3-4 defense, was the addition of defensive lineman Isaac Sopoaga. The nine-year veteran (who weighs 330 pounds) got a three-year deal worth $12 million with $5 million guaranteed. Sopoaga is not known for bringing down the quarterback as he has just 7.5 career sacks, but he is strong against the run and has experience playing in a 3-4 defensive scheme.
None of these free-agent signings are big-names or stars, but these guys are solid special teamers and role players who have potential to develop into more. The moves also came relatively cheap, meaning the team still has plenty of money left to sign the bigger-name free agents that are still out there- if the Eagles so desire.
I think by now you know I am less than enthused about Patrick Chung as a coverage safety. But I will admit he brings a lot to the table in terms of smarts, run-stopping, blitz-package know-how, and special teams. And oh yeah… the Oregon ties to Kelly and the credibility of a winner familiar with Belichick's system in New England helps, too.
This brings us to the "Taps" portion of the blurb…
The Eagles released Nnamdi Asomugha two seasons after he signed to a five-year, $60 million dollar contract.
"Coach Kelly and I each had a chance to speak with Nnamdi earlier and he took the news with a lot of class," Eagles general manager Howie Roseman said in a statement. "We expected nothing less than that from him. He has been a true pro on and off the field for this organization and our community and we wish him all the best as he continues his NFL career.
"We spoke to his representatives at the Combine about his future status with the team and wanted to take time to analyze and make a decision. In the end, Coach and I both felt we needed to move in a different direction at the cornerback position for 2013 and beyond."
The release of Asomugha in many way signals the death of the ( I won't say it, but it rhymes with Cream Team), the collection of high-priced free agents signed in the summer of 2011. In addition to Asomugha, Jason Babin, Cullen Jenkins, Vince Young, Steve Smith and Ronnie Brown are all gone. Only Evan Mathis, the least publicized signing of the group, remains.
Part of the reason for Asomugha's struggles with the Eagles could have been the system he was asked to play. And calling it a "system" is a generous use of the English language.
There is a strong possibility the Eagles turn over an entire starting secondary — safeties and cornerbacks.
S Dashon Goldson (49ers)? I am not convinced…
The Eagles are interested. We've talked about him ad nauseum already. Goldson is allegedly the top safety on the market right now. The Eagles desperately need a safety, one that can hit and toughen a previously double-ply soft defense. Whether or not the Eagles sign Goldson will likely come down to price. They spent less than $3 million combined on all their safeties last season. One league source expects Goldson to land a deal worth around $7.5 million per season. But as JB-Sage-Lion has observed, Goldson is just not that good…
CB Chris Houston…now this guy I likey…
Houston's a little under-the-radar name despite some solid years in Detroit. I can see the Eagles looking closely at him for a reasonable price after the initial rush at cornerbacks. Somebody is going to overpay for the measurables, not the production, of players like Sean Smith and Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie. I expect the Eagles to go strong after the secondary cornerback market, which is very deep. Houston is on that list. In fact, he's been better than Smith or DRC the past few years and would thrive in a new environment where he's not asked to be the No. 1 guy.
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