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.
Yeah, Jared Allen would be a great guy to bring in. I'd fall off my seat if Childress traded him straight up for McNabb, but it'd be nice to see. Peppers gets money for his potential. He's paid three times as much as he earns on the field. For $3 million a year, every team should jump at the chance to see how he plays. For 10 or 12 million, it takes a stupid owner.— tacklinjoe- People comparing Kearse to Peppers is ludicrous Peppers and Kearse are two different type of defensive ends. Kearse was a speed rushing one trick pony. Kearse could only rush from the outside and had zero inside move plus he had a small defensive end frame and never played the run. Peppers can play both end spots, DT and spot LB duty. Peppers is big enough to handle interior linemen and quick enough to go around offensive tackles. He can also play both the run and the screen while getting pressure on the QB. The only knock on him is his motor but on a good team and one on one coverage his motor shouldn't be a problem. Championships are won on the line of scrimmage and if the Eagles can sign a solid DE to go opposite of Cole the defense will take a major step forward. A few years back the Giants won a championship solely due to the fact that the defensive line put pressure on the QB on every play WITHOUT the need to blitz. The Giants didn't have a dominant secondary or linebacker corps they had 4 pass rushers that gave the opposing QB 2-4 seconds to throw on every down.— Nothing but the truth
- Peppers himself said he would like to play for the eagles and is not interested in signing with Carolina. Unless they use the franchise tag, which I don't think they will as they can't afford the 23 million salary. With Peppers it has never been about the money, he hated the system Carolina went with and how he was being used. I currently live in Charlotte for the past 4 years after being a lifelong Delaware County resident. Peppers would be a great fit for the Eagles and I do hope we pursue him..— crohnkiller
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- If Cowboys don't sign Austin to long-term deal, swipe him away! Give up the picks. With him, DeJack, and Maclin, we'll be unstoppable!— MorbidCuriousity
- To the guy who is asking about bringing in Joey Porter, that makes no sense. Porter has played for two 3-4 teams (Steelers and Dolphins). Eagles are adhering to the outdated 4-3.— MorbidCuriousity
- To Morbid, I know it is okay to dream, but do you really think that Jerry is going to let Austin get away? If you honestly think there is a 1 percent chance of that happening, then you make as much sense as the guy who thinks Joey Porter would be a good fit for the birds.— reggiedunlop
- "Clayton thinks the Eagles will trade McNabb and release Michael Vick, by the way." That tells me all I need to know about how Clayton thinks, he's a moron. Clayton is good at getting inside info sometimes, but his own independent judgment about what teams will do or should do is questionable. If Clayton is repeating what a source has told him, then I'll listen. If he's just predicting things on his own, then he doesn't really know what he's talking about. No surprise though, look at the guy...does he look like he's ever played football in his life? You'd think these guys would pick up some things about the sport after commenting about it for so long but I guess if you've never played a sport, it's really hard to understand it from the inside out.— JimG
Nothing but the truth: your assessment of Peppers is right on the money. Did anyone see any Dolphins games this past season? Does Joey Porter have anything left in the tank? He's the kind of leader that gives a D it's identity. Might be worthwhile to sign him. I'm hung up on the Vick signing. I had a real tough time rooting for the birds this year because of him. If the Eagles get rid of him, I'll have no problem staying a fan no matter what else they do. I watch the games with my dogs sitting next to me, and every time I see Vick in the game, I get a visual image of dogs hanging, a dog in a pool with jumper cables connected to it's ears yelping in pain as it's electrocuted etc. ... I don't need that when I'm watching my birds. Move on Mike, and be well. I got no hate for you, only pity.- I generally like John Clayton, but he is WAY off this time. Trade McNabb and cut Vick? Please....that's the dumbest thing he has ever said. Peppers would be another Jevon Kearse and who needs that. I also think we can do better than a 3rd for Vick.— craig123
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- Regarding putting too much blame on McNabb, who makes 3 or 4 times as much money as any other position player and why? The QB is the most important part. Yes, there are others players needed, but it's safe to say without a superior QB, there's not much hope in the Playoffs. See the results with the Vikings QB Travis last year with a very strong supporting cast. Going 2 for 5 with 5 yards gained in the first half of the Dallas playoff game is a good indication of what McNabb gives you in playoff games these days. He is getting WORSE not Better. The best days that are ahead of him are speaking on national television and playing the air guitar.— Mr. M
- A few years back when McNabb was hurt they refused to sign Garcia as a backup for only $1. mil. Vick is definitely a gonnner. Either McNabb or Kolb is also. 2 out of 3 will not be here next year. It,s all about the money.— klschs
- My days as an Eagles fan are over if they pick up Julius Peppers for big money, not that I think Clayton is right. This is a guy you want as your 3rd end, who can be extremely disruptive at end or tackle. Maybe pay him $2 million. He can't anchor a team, because he doesn't show up every game, and therefore he's not a true starter. NFL should stop paying for potential. No one should ever sign Peppers to more than a one year contract, because he can't be depended on.— tacklinjoe
