Ray Edwards to Eagles?
The Philadelphia Daily News - Eagletarian
Ray Edwards to Eagles?
Daily News staff
UPDATED, 12:50:
In case you needed more confirmation that this will end today, the NFLPA announced that Roger Goodell will be at the NFLPA headquarters in Washington this afternoon.
Reactions are starting to come in via Twitter, including this one from Brandon Graham: "So happy lockout is officially over and we can start this road to the ship!!"
UPDATED:
According to reports, teams can report to training camp 15 days before their first preseason game, as has been the general rule in the past. Nothing is official, as of yet.
For the Eagles, with a game against the Ravens scheduled for Aug. 11, the first night of the preseason, that means they can report to Lehigh on Wednesday. Nine other teams also will begin Wednesday, according to the NFL Network, with 10 teams starting Thursday, 10 Friday and two Sunday.
Also, reports are that agents will be briefed on the new rules of the CBA during a conference call this afternoon at 2 p.m., with a call for general managers at 3 p.m. and head coaches at 5 p.m.
UPDATED:
The NFLPA has confirmed that a vote is scheduled after a conference call, which began at 11 a.m.
“Once we vote to approve, the discussion of collectively-bargained issues can begin,” said Saints quarterback Drew Brees, a member of the NFLPA’s Executive Committee. “The health and safety issues of both current and former players are just as important as all the other issues.”
NFLPA president Kevin Mawae termed any talk of timeframes as media speculation.
“Players started this process two years ago with an emphasis on health and safety, and we will end the process talking about health and safety when we ratify,” Mawae said. “We don’t feel that we are in a rush,” Mawae said. “Our goal is to get it right.”
EARLIER
It is almost time to actually start talking in earnest about players and who will be on the Eagles' roster next season.
Among the positions of need is along the defensive line, particularly at end where the pursuit of a complement to Trent Cole seemingly continues, especially with Brandon Graham's knee injury being more extensive than initially reported. Along with a torn ACL, Graham has microfracture surgery. He is hoping to be cleared to begin practicing at some point in September.
A report today in the Atlanta Journal Constituion indicates that Minnesota defensive end Ray Edwards could land with the Eagles. There had been some thought that Edwards could go to Atlanta, but the Falcons are planning to concentrate their resources on signing their own free agents.
Edwards, 6-5, 268, is in his sixth season. He had nine sacks last year with the Vikings after posting 8.5 in 2009.
So, when will the frenzy begin? Good question. There are about 126 different timelines floating around today with various reports. Hard to get a sense of which one is most accurate.
The one thing that does make sense is the idea of staggered reporting dates for training camp. Roger Goodell said last week that the league wanted every team to have the same amount of time to prepare.
How that could impact the Eagles is this ... With the Hall of Fame Game canceled, the Eagles are among the teams scheduled to play on the first night of the preseason, Thursday, Aug. 11, against Baltimore. That could mean they would have the ability to be among the first teams to report.
The NFLPA announced that a conference call with the executive committee and the player reps for the 32 teams was scheduled for 11 a.m. today. The press release said no vote was scheduled, but it is expected a vote will happen after the conference call.
"Representatives of the NFL and the players have been working diligently to arrive at a settlement agreement that is both long term and fair," the release said.
According to multiple reports, the sides worked deep into the night and agreed to terms after 3 a.m. Of course, the players still need to approve those terms.
More to come on what should be a busy day ...
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To read our other posts on Kevin Kolb, Brett Favre and Michael Vick, click here.
Ray Edwards is a beast and would give the Eagles 2 of the best defensive ends in the NFL. Trent Cole, Albert Haynesworth, Mike Patterson/Bunkley/Laws/Dixon and Ray Edwards= Best D-line in the NFL.— briandawkins20
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The only way they get Haynesworth is if he's cut. However, I do think if they sign Edwards and grab Haynesworth as well, this makes that D-line very strong, which in turn gives them more flexibility in signing a "lesser" corner. If the defense can't pressure the QB, it doesn't matter how good your corners are. Castillo only succeeds if the Eagles take the defensive approach of "talent over scheme". And he'll have to given the lack of off-season prep with the players.— beegal99- RAY EDWARDS!!!!!! Yes way to go Birds I am so stoked for the season. Just dreaming about this defense, if we add Haynesworth that is the best d-line in the league. Plus Cromarti and Asante at CB add a safety for depth. Jamar Chaney will be a stud this year at LB. This is it we are going to the bowl and winning it this time.— Ed Gein
- ray edwards = beast?! 2 of the best DEs in NFL?! what are you smoking, briandawkins20?
i say keep juqua parker, who is underrated...for another year and wait for graham's to recover. no need to drop a boatload of money on a scrub whose never had a 10 sack season...even with the williams wall and jared allen getting all the double teams in minnesota. ray edwards is not the next trent cole, believe me.— sdffa13 - I worry that Edwards is a product of other better players on his line making him look better than he is. Although working with Cole is that help so could be a great signing. Please stop with the Haynesworthless talk, hes such a tool and to think he will somehow just care again because hes on the eagles. It wont happen, hes a joke and his contract is so massive the only way we get him is if hes willing to take a huge paycut which I doubt. Funny if we got Osi if he has a bitter departure from Gmen, he and Shady could hang out.— peteike
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- Haynesworth already made it known he's like to play for Washburn again. It was pretty obvious he didn't get along with Shanny, and had no desire to play for him. If the money's right, sign him (assuming the Skins cut him).
— phillychaos - I agree with J. Grace— BigLadd
- Peteike, do you watch football much? Allen clearly had a down season last year and Edwards put up good sack numbers. A clearer indication that he is his own player is what he did in the playoffs before last season? The guy can carry his own weight. And not to pile on, but Haynesworth's contract goes bye-bye once the team releases him. I don't even think he hits the WW. Even if he did, no one would pick him up and assume his contract. I think for spite he'd sign in Philly, so he could stick it to Skelator twice a season.— beegal99
- Don't waste money on another overrated DE. SIGN RT TYSON CLABO. If the Eagles do this, their best Defense will be there explosive O.
- I wouldnt go nuts over Edwards. I would be concerned that Edwards 8/9 sacks per year is a product of playing on a line with jared allen and the williams bros.— jfd6812
- Love Edwards on this defense. You can quote me stats and who he played with all you want. I watched the kid play and always thought he would be a good addition here. Good size speed and strength, 26 years old. This team needs more talent on that line esp at end. And this signing would be a good start.— SouthPhillySam
- Agee with Silli get Tyson Clabo, solidify the O line and keep Vick healthy!— BLUEBELLION
- was graham jumping up and down on his microfractured knee when he got the news?— jazztafari
