Peppers, tags, Vick and combine invites
The Philadelphia Daily News - Eagletarian
Peppers, tags, Vick and combine invites
Daily News staff
Happened to catch John Clayton on "SportsCenter" and on "NFL Live" on ESPN last night. The volume of specluation about the Eagles' quarterbacks is unreal and will continue for a while, we figure. Clayton thinks the Eagles will trade McNabb and release Michael Vick, by the way.
On another subject, though, Clayton says he thinks the Eagles might step in and pursue Carolina's Julius Peppers to play opposite Trent Cole at defensive end. If he is not given the franchise tag or re-signed, Peppers becomes an unrestricted free agent on March 5.
"You make more as a defensive end in this league and to try to justify a $100 million dollar contract I do think you could see Philadelphia step in.," Clayton said. "They've done it on Jevon Kearse. They've done it on other people. "Could you imagine him with Trent Cole? That would be a heckuva combination at defensive end."
THE TAGS
Yesterday was the first day that teams were able to use the franchise or transition tags on their players.
The Eagles won't be involved in using the tag this year. Their only unrestricted free agents at the moment are Jeremiah Trotter, Tracey White, Sean Jones and Jason Babin. That does not include players who would be unrestricted if 2010 is not an uncapped year.
THE DAILY VICK
A day without Michael Vick speculation is like a day without snow around here these days.
Today's edition comes from Clifton Brown, of The Sporting News. Brown identifies five teams in need of a veteran quarterback and how Vick would fit with each. The five teams are generally the same five that most everyone else has suggested -- Rams, Bills, Raiders Panthers and Cardinals.
Browns says if the Eagles were to trade Vick it would come before March 5, when he is due his $1.5 million roster bonus. He also writes that Vick could fetch a third-round pick.
COMBINE INVITATIONS
The scouting combine begins in Indianapolis on Feb. 24, and here is the official list of the players who have been invited.
Obviously, most of the discussion going forward will be about whom the Eagles will be looking at and what they might do with the 24th pick, but for those of who also have an interest in college football in this area ...
Six Penn State players have been invited: Penn State All-Americans Jared Odrick (defensive tackle) and Navorro Bowman (linebacker), along with quarterback Daryll Clark, linebacker Josh Hull, linebacker Sean Lee and tight end Andrew Quarless. With 14 players invited over the last two years, Penn State lead all Big Ten schools.
No players from Temple, Villanova or Penn have been invited. And no players from any of the city leagues high schools are on the list, either.
Hey, what about what Garry Cobb is reporting? He has learned from a league source that the Eagles have offered a new contract to Kevin Kolb. That would definitely mean McNabb will be traded. Gcobb.com— soulman386- they are not trading mcnabb or signing peppers - swallow that haters! their d-end will come from the draft. clayton is good most of the time, but he's wrong here.— sore richard
- McNabb isn't going anywhere. they're gonna pay Klob backup money thats gonna get bumped up to starter money when McNabb DOES get traded which will probably be after next season.— Will54
- EAGLES NEED PEPPERS! SIGN HIM!— ChrisM
Comment removed.- Personally would be surpised to see the eagles dump both Mcnabb and Vick. If they go with Kolb I would think they would prefer to keep a (somewhat) qualified qb in Vick as some insurance towards injury/poor play; and if McNabb stays I have a hard time believing they pay Vick as much as 3.75 mil as I recall Vick's option is for. Grant it much of that being incentives but there is a bonus in there. Only 1mil I think is guaranteed. I guess thats not a lot for a backup these days, but, just don't see both in the fold this year $$. Peppers=Kerse in my eyes. the key is to get these guys prior to the big money deal, not on the back end. Most teams end up losers on the backend of these things. 'Imagine Cole and Peppers together', yeah and imagine sinking that much money, and cap space to have one or both these guys go down (see andrews sisters). Just don't see the return in adding 100mil+ 30yr old DE. Just my 2cents. -not bob levy— remyy
- Sure. Sign Peppers. A nice fat contract will give us another Jevon Kearse.— dlscholt
- will 54 - how will they trade mcnabb after next season when he is not under contract? you make no sense— ChahlieM
- We going to bring in Joey Porter now that he was let go by the fish?— Bobphxville
- If they go ahead and trade Mcnabb and Kolb flops, then what does Lurie about Reid; Because the whole tri-state is gonna want his head...— Ruiz the Great
- when was the last time Clayton was right about anything on the Eagles...he knows just as mush as we do, the Eagles dont even know what they're going to do— Tyahav
- All I care about is dumping Vick on some other team then we can get our soul back and win again. We have been punished by the gods for allowing that scum into our lives.— sfelt
- McNabb is not going anywhere. I like the idea of bringing Peppers here. We could have used him in those Dallas games. Some of you people think that just Mcnabb is the problem for every loss. All phase of the team must play well, as you can see in the Superbowl. The Saints~ offense played well, the defense played well and the special team all played well with an excellent game plan by the coach. Everyone did their part by executing the plan and that is how you win BIG games. Who is the snitch aka source in the front office?? Andy Reid and Joe Banner needs to investigate and fire that person. They need to learn to keep company business private until it is officially announced.— knmcmahon
- Try to get Peppers and let those free agents walk; starting with Sean Jones. He should pay the Birds just for letting him step on an NFL field. Pass rush would really be upgraded with Peppers. Hopefully, Stew Bradley will be 100% by camp. LB's need to make up for performance in '09.— philadelphiachild51
- Trade McNabb to Minn for Jared Allen. How sick would he and Cole be at DE. Forget peppers, hes inconsistent and too pricey for his age.— peteike
