Kolb Trade Official; Ex-Card Says DRC Great Pickup
The Philadelphia Daily News - Eagletarian
Kolb Trade Official; Ex-Card Says DRC Great Pickup
Les Bowen, Daily News Staff Writer
After a whole bunch of waiting, it is what we thought it was, to mangle a paraphrase from former Cardinals coach Denny Green.
The Eagles have confirmed that the trade of Kevin Kolb to the Cardinals is happening, for corner Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie and a second-round pick. ESPN 97.5 radio reporter Adam Caplan says Kolb has agreed to a $63 million contract extension with Arizona, over 5 years, about $20 million guaranteed.
Eagles corner-kick returner Jorrick Calvin was a Cardinals rookie last year, before being traded to the Eagles Aug. 30 Rodgers-Cromartie recently mentioned Calvin as his only friend on the Eagles. Calvin was happy to hear the trade confirmed.
"That's my dude!" Calvin said. "Real good guy, real good person ... He brings a lot of speed, real good coverage ability, (he's) a lockdown corner.
"He took me under his wing when I got to Arizona, he taught me a lot of things at corner, taught me how to be a good pro -- making good decisions, on and off the field. That was one of the guys I really looked up to in Arizona."
Rodgers-Cromartie, anointed last night by Andy Reid as the right side starter though he has primarily played the left for the Cards, will have to learn Juan Castillo's defense on the fly.
"He's a real smart guy at corner," Calvin said. "It will be no problem for him to come in and learn the defense."
Observers were starting to compare the Kolb trade talks to Congress's debates on the debt ceiling.
"I think process takes a long time, whatever you do," Eagles general manager Howie Roseman said, when asked about the negotiations. "You want to make sure that you're exploring all options for your team and getting the best possible outcome for both sides."
"It's a busy time, We're constantly looking at options and evaluating options. We're not done," Roseman said. He didn't want to talk about other possible moves, but you have to think if Vince Young is being released, as reported, the Eagles would have interest as a backup. Running back Darren Sproles and lionebacker Stephen Tulloch also have been linked to the Birds.
Kolb, drafted in the second round in 2007, a year ago was opening camp as the designated successor to Donovan McNabb. But he suffered a concussion in the season opener and lost the job to Michael Vick.
Reports about a Kolb trade involving Rodgers-Cromartie began to surface before the 2011 draft in April, at a time when the lockout prevented teams from trading players. Trades were allowed starting Tuesday morning, and fans grew frustrated that Kolb hadn't been dealt. But the Cardinals probably did not want to part unconditonally with a second-round pick, a pretty prized commodity in the NFL. The Eagles probably had to do some squeezing.
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Also today, the Eagles have placed Brandon Graham and Winston Justice on the physically unable to perform list for the start of camp. Asante Samuel and Jeremy Maclin were excused from reporting and practicing today for personal reasons.
Corner Trevard Lindley and left tackle Jason Peters left the afternoon practice early. Peters was sweating profusely.
Comment removed.
Great move for the Eagles to trade AJ Feeley v2 for that ransom. Eagles D is only missing one decent piece from being a good defense— Eagles_Nation- Comment removed.
- Good luck, Kevin. Except when we meet y'all in the playoffs.— dlscholt
- congrats Kolb!! F Andy Reid and F the eagles— DontTreadonme
- The real winner here: Kevin Kolb. $20 million guaranteed for what? Six games of spotty work?— RockStar
- Thanks RockStar! You saved me some typing! — uncle meat
- Great deal no matter how you look at it.
— SlinkTMP - Now lets sign Vince Young to backup Vick, an offensive tackle so King Dunlap can sit on the bench and not Vick because he is on IR, A line backer, Backup running back,a safety and defensive tackle that can stop the run.
Good additions in Babin and DRC.#2 draft pick next year.
Interesting to watch the specialty teams with a new punter and place kicker. We get younger and hopefully stay competitive.— naplesbear - Banner sucks. A good GM would have gotten Larry Fitzgerald and three first round picks. He should be fired.— typicalphillyfan
- Great deal for the igles, the kid (Kolb) KP (KANT PLAY)— sheenisenvy
- Just heard via Twitter that the Eagles will use the second round pick from the Kolb trade on a 205 Defensive tackle from Hofstra in next years draft! Although very small, undersized and limited in talent, he has a lot of heart!— Robi_LA
- Don't forget he's got a high motor!!!
— Mabus - Considering nobody else (other than the Cards) was really involved in the worst kept secret in the NFL (that Kolb would get traded), the Eagles did fine..Hope that DRC is the player from two years ago rather than last...Nobody talks about right tackle...the Brass got Washburn a toy...now it's Mudd's turn to get a Tyson Clabo,Willie Colon, or Jamal Brown...Somehow, the Winston Justice/King Dunlop competition for Vick's blindside protector does not excite me.— bearsfriend
