Posted: Monday, March 23, 2009, 11:39 AM | 12 comments |
 
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Matt Mosley of ESPN.com reported over the weekend that he was eating beer-battered biscuits when the caller ID on his phone showed an incoming call from free agent right tackle Jon Runyan, once and perhaps future employee of the Eagles.

The breakfast info slid Mosley, one of our favorite reporters, ever-so-slightly into Peter King territory (PK's weekly coffee report is not to be missed), but it was an interesting post, anyway.

Runyan had been apparently reading some reports nationally that he was considering retirement and, wanting to dissuade teams around the league from believing it, tapped Mosley on the shoulder to issue his not-dead-yet proclamation.

"I'm playing next season," Runyan reportedly told Mosley. "I just don't know where it will be. But it will be with somebody."

There are conflicting reports on when Runyan will be able to resume football preparation following his January microfracture knee surgery. Locally, it was reported that May is a reasonable time he can get back on the field. Runyan told Mosley he was pointing more toward July training camps.

The Eagles are in a wait-and-see position. If they come out of the draft and free agent process with enough tackle depth to augment Stacy Andrews on the right side and (currently) nobody on the left side, then Jon will have to ply his trade elsewhere.

Runyan was also asked about Donovan McNabb's apparent desire for a contract extension, even though his deal has two more seasons remaining.

"I always thought if players sign a contract, they should go ahead and honor it," Runyan said.

All those seasons of protecting McNabb are over, I guess, at least verbally if not physically. It should be noted that McNabb has not come out and demanded a new deal in public, nor has he indicated, privately or otherwise, that he wouldn't honor the deal that is in place.

This is the speculation time of year, though, and it's always good to chew over the possibilities along with our breakfast biscuits.

 

Posted by BOB FORD @ 11:39 AM  Permalink | 12 comments
12
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  • Comment removed.
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 3:31 PM, 03/23/2009
    if Mcnabb makes similare comments, he gets skewered. when runyan does it, hes outspoken and "honest" not a whiner.
    Eagles Phan in LI
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 3:51 PM, 03/23/2009
    Is this guys still living? I thought they burried him at the end of the season. Jon take a knee already. Oh thats right you don't have one.
    Tejayanie
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 3:56 PM, 03/23/2009
    barbec's used to be good. now it's terrible, except for the biscuits.
    joeb
  • Comment removed.
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 5:12 PM, 03/23/2009
    Mosley's blog on ESPN is a waste of space. It's typically just a Cowboys lovefest during the season and most of his off-season blogs have been nothing more than listing links to what other writers are saying about teams in the NFC East. Mosley in the same class as Peter King? Come on. As for Runyan, I don't see that he made any comment on McNabb. He was asked a loaded question about McNabb and he dodged it by making a comment about contracts and players in general. He didn't say anything specifically about McNabb. Frankly, his comment is as much about Cutler, Boldin, Chad Johnson or anyone else and those guys have actually asked to be traded unlike McNabb who is merely the subject of speculation.
    JimG
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 5:29 PM, 03/23/2009
    What have the Eagles to lose by signing Runyan. If he can't pass the physical he is done. If he can do you really believe that he will hurt this team? He has always been credited with putting real swagger into the Eagles offensive line. He always gets the job done. He shows up ready to play whether hurt or not. He is extremely knowledgeable. Until the Eagles can prove they have a solid replacement I see no down side with Big John. You are all moaning about what a raw deal Dawkins got-I agree. Why do the same to Runyan?
    ramco
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 6:00 PM, 03/23/2009
    The man is a WARRIOR. NEVER complains and LOVED by all. the few idiots above can stick it. They don't know the guy. HE IS AMAZING,.STAY HERE BIG JON.
    YIPO
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 8:31 PM, 03/23/2009
    Runyan is the man! I'll take the opinion of an O lineman over a "skill" player any day.
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 11:15 PM, 03/23/2009
    I think the Eagles should resign him as insurance. Injuries on the O-Line are inevitable. Jon has been the mainstay on the right side. Don't forget he has played in 211 straight games. Bring him back and see what he can do with a good knee.
    grimm39
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 11:50 PM, 03/23/2009
    I'd definitely like to see the Eagles sign Big Bad John as a insurance policy for the OL. He may not be a number one started but he's a stand up kinda guy. The kind of character this teams needs as it brings in new blood.
    EaglesLVR2006
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 10:24 AM, 03/24/2009
    I don't see how a guy could deterioate that rapidly in one season. I think he would agree with a reasonable contract and it would be beneficial to have him on the roster. After all the key is competition with the please side of helping development of new personnel. If he says he will be ready then I believe he shall be for the next season. That would be depth we could go to the bank..not a meltdown.
    aden


12 comments
About Bob Ford
Bob Ford has been writing about Philadelphia sports since 1981, and is still trying to figure it all out. A former beat writer covering the Phillies and the 76ers, Ford became a general sports columnist for the Inquirer in 2003, following in and occasionally falling in the deep footsteps of Bill Lyon, Frank Dolson and many distinguished others. He comes to the Philly.com blogosphere after award-winning success as designer/editor of the fabulous Pen & Pencil Club softball blog. Likes: Palestra, inside-the-park home runs, sunny days. Dislikes: phony people, cloudy days, rewrites.
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