Birds Make TE Switch
The Philadelphia Daily News - Eagletarian
Birds Make TE Switch
Les Bowen, Daily News Staff Writer
OK, this is weird. The Eagles agreed to terms today with Alex Smith, the tight end cut by New England last weekend, who had been the target of trade speculation involving QB A.J. Feeley. That's not the weird part. The Birds then cut Tony Curtis, the backup tight end who seemed to play so well in the preseason finale last Thursday against the Jets. If nothing else changes, the Eagles will open their season Sunday at Carolina with starting tight end Brent Celek and a backup who has been with the team 5 days.
Is that really the plan, or will we see Curtis back eventually, after another roster move? BTW, some people think the Eagles will cut somebody and put Michael Vick on the active roster tomorrow, so he can practice with the team during his two-week suspension.
Smith, a third-round pick of the Bucs in 2005, certainly has been a more prolific pass-catcher than Curtis, with 129 receptions in 58 career games.
He told a conference call this afternoon that he felt he "wasn't able to perform like I wanted to" in New England this preseason, after havng an ankle 'scoped in April.
Smith, who visited with the Giants yesterday, said he was happy to come here, where he can play in "the offense I've spent most of my career playing in" -- the West Coast scheme that Jon Gruden also ran in Tampa.
"I felt this was the best fit for me to come in right away and help," he said.
Smith is the son of Edwin "Big Ed" Smith, the first NFL player from the Bahamas. Here is a link to a story about a football camp he held there when he played for the Bucs.
***
Other news: Eagles coach Andy Reid affirmed on his radio show this evening what players related to reporters after Monday's practice -- rookie Macho Harris will start at free safety and Omar Gaither will start at middle linebacker in the opener this weekend at Carolina.
***
According to the National Football Post, Jon Runyan worked out for the Chiefs today. Look for Runyan to sign somewhere soon. If Runyan signs right away, he might be able to keep up his streak of 192 successive regular season starts.
Phillies1120 -- i totally agree!
If these so called ex - fans are not interested in the team anymore how come they comment on every article.— Gringo4
Whoever is the backup TE is, he should be a blocker first. Celek showed what he can do in the playoffs. This offense needs a TE who can catch. I think Celek is going to have a monster year.
Comment removed.- I don't know if it's me or what, but this seems like a really dumb move - get someone to start who has not practiced a down with the team and cut a guy who has...they may have to bring the plebe TE from the practice squad to start the season - and Smith is damaged goods with the ankle - bet he can't start next Sunday!!!— Tom Man
- Oh billy66, why don't you go pick up your doggies poopie!— IAMDETOX
- like idea of cutting someone and keeping Vick on team to practice.either of the Brown's comes to mind.— lawrence2465
- oh. you tried them on Madden - there's an authoritative source on good play calling. BOOM— raoool
- Posted by warbird 03:17 PM, 09/08/2009 The TE position on this team will be it's achilles heal. This west coast offensive survives on it's TE play(See SF 49ers 1988-2000). OH THATS WHY the 49ers were good! I always thought that those guys named MONTANA, YOUNG, CRAIG, LOTT, RICE, and TAYLOR, were OVER-RATED! (***Yes that was sarcasim) The Eagles/Reid is Trying to improve. You won't be happy until they trade a future 7th round pick for ANTONIO GATES or JASON WITTEN!— shady24
- Comment removed.
Wow, they let go one back-up TE for another, and nearly everyone is ready to call it a season? C'mon dummies, get a grip. Barring injuries, we'll be fine a TE. Not great, but fine. If an injury happens, there's a good handful of serviceable TE's out there. Plus, there's Myers on the PS who may be ready at some point this year to step up.— phillychaos- Comment removed.
Cut the other Curtis while you're at it.- Who really knows? Most of the FA pickups have been less than startling. Some have worked, a lot have not. I'm not jumping out of my seat on this one. Curtis, Smith, etc. Still need a TE behind Celek whoever it is, maybe two. Remember Schobel, that was brilliant and billed like Smith.
- Tom Man- Forgetting about #87 are we??— phillychaos
