Weaver Believes Deal Near; Teams Talk QBs at Combine
The Philadelphia Daily News - Eagletarian
Weaver Believes Deal Near; Teams Talk QBs at Combine
Les Bowen and Paul Domowitch
Eagles fullback Leonard Weaver told your Eagletarian Saturday, "I believe it's close," when asked about a new deal with the Eagles. Weaver could be a restricted free agent on Friday, if no new pact is signed. In any case, the Eagles are very unlikely to let him get away.
St. Louis Rams coach Steve Spagnuolo spoke to reporters at the NFL Scouting Combine this morning, talking in general terms about his team's quarterbacking situation. Starter Marc Bulger is not expected to return, and the Rams hold the first overall pick in the draft.
Spagnuolo, the former Eagles defensive assistant, reiterated what GM Bill Devaney said the day before -- that he has not spoken to the Eagles about Michael Vick. Anticipating that reaction, the question actually was "given your close relationship with the Eagles, do you foresee talking to them about what they plan to do with Michael Vick?" That question remains unanswered.
The Eagles probably have to pick up a $1.5 million bonus due Vick March 5 before anybody offers them much of anything for the former Pro Bowl quarterback.
Spagnuolo was asked a lot about the risks and rewards of drafting a quarterback with that precious first overall pick. He said that in general, when you look for a QB you look for "those leadership type of guys ... guys that can get the job done in the pinch."
The idea of drafting a QB and starting him next season -- when the Rams are unlikely to be real good -- did not seem to appeal to Spagnuolo, which might be a point in favor of trading for Vick.
After saying that "every quarterback is different," Spagnuolo allowed that "it's kind of smart to ease those guys into it ... it depends on the person."
Later Saturday, Arizona Cardinals general manager Rod Graves and head coach Ken Whisenhunt made appearances in the press room at Lucas Oil Stadium.
Both were asked about the team’s quarterback situation in the wake of Kurt Warner’s retirement. Shockingly, neither of them said they’re having conversations with the Eagles about a trade for Donovan McNabb. But both said they aren’t necessarily going to hand the job to Matt Leinart either.
At the moment, Leinart is the only quarterback the Cardinals have under contract.
Whisenhunt: (will Leinart definitely be your starting quarterback in 2010?) ``I think everybody on this team knows they have to play and play well to keep their position. It’s hard to say Matt has to earn it right now, because he’s the only quarterback on our roster. There’s no secret we have to address that. We have to get more depth at that position.
``Matt understands the sense of urgency with that position. I don’t think there’s any secret about that. He’s been with us for three years now. He’s worked very hard to improve his game. I think we’re all excited about where that goes this year. He does have the pedigree of having had success (at USC). He’s a good football player. That’s why he was drafted where he was drafted. It’s just, when you get into a situation like he did, playing behind a quarterback like Kurt and the level he was playing at, it’s tough. But (Packers quarterback) Aaron Rodgers certainly has seemed to respond to that very well after being behind Brett Favre. We’re obviously hoping for a lot of the similar things to happen.’’
(Do you have a profile of the kind of quarterback you want to bring in to compete with or back up Leinart? A career backup? A veteran with starting experience who will compete with Leinart for starting job?)
``We’ll see what’s available out there. But I wouldn’t rule out either one. I mean, I wouldn’t rule out bringing a young guy in to compete or a veteran guy that’s played to come in and compete for that spot. That’s what we’ve done with our football team. We’ve had competition at every spot. That’s what’s made us better and that’s what we’ll continue to do. I don’t think Matt’s scared of that whatsoever. He’s excited about where he is and leading our football team and being a good quarterback in the NFL.’’
Graves: (his team’s quarterback situation):
``Obviously, we have Matt Leinart and right now, he’s the only quarterback we have under contract. We’re looking for ways to bolster that position. We feel you’ve got to have two quality players at that position. So we’re looking at how we can satisfy that in both the free agent market and the draft.
``But we feel confident, at least I do, about what Matt Leinart’s prospects are for this season. I know he’s worked tremendously hard. We’re feeling that we’ll be able to get the job done with him. At least I’m very hopeful of that. And we’ll see if we can get him some help as well.’’
JKJMCD I'm hearing NOTHING from people about Vick other than what the Eagles can get for him in a trade. Most people have mostly put the dog thing behind them.— Duracorr
You're a broken record lonewolf. You should try to have an original thought once in a while to break up the monotony of your posts— Mabus- JKJSMCD, I think Big Red can live with it if he can look like a genius for picking Kolb in 2007 and developing him into a top flight QB. For him to spend that first pick on Kolb when there wasn't an obvious need for a QB it shows that Reid thought he could play. Having a run of "success" (using the loose rose-colored glasses Eagle fan definition)with a good QB makes you Sam Wyche. Continuing that "success" into a new QB era bumps you up a notch on the coach reputation meter.— jtj06
- The Rams would be stupid to take any QB 1st overall. Bradford can't read a D, if you watched his games he (and the rest of the offense) would look at the sideline EVERY PLAY to see if they should change the call. Add to that the injury issues and he's a bust waiting to happen.— jcu123
- jtj06 What makes you think "Big Red" can develop Kobb into a top flight QB, in your opinion is McNabb a "Top Flight" QB....If he is it still wasn't enough to get it done, the discussions about players is just smoke and mirrors to takes focus away from the real issue.... AR needs to go, he has been here 11 years and now the eagles are rebuilding ...people (with green colored glasses) can say they're not that they just need to tweak a few things but that is not the reality they ARE rebuilding and believe me AR is no genius.— JKJSMCD
I'm not sure what the huge risk was for the Packers. They got rid of an over rated, primadona, interseption machine who pulled the same nonsense with them that he is pulling with the Vikes. Easiest decision in the world to make if you have confidence in the back up. Think old Chilly wants to know NOW whether he's coming back or does anyone really believe that BS he said about giving Favre all the time he needs. Minny will be real happy if DM is traded somewhere else and then Favre actually makes up his mind to quit...or not quit...or quit. He's your problem now, Chilly. I warned you.— tpizza- Trading down in increments might work with a player like Suh at the top. TB was rumored to be offering QB Josh Johnson and the #3 for #1. If I'm StL I'm taking that deal. Then I trade down again. And again. And again, until I own the second round and half of the third.— Rick Wise Guy
Comment removed.- Sure going to miss Brian Westbrook, he could do it all. Stop Smoking Help (HTML deleted)— HolisticAlternative
- I think Flyer is right for the most part...except when you get a transcendent talent. You don't pass on a Peyton Manning ever, for any reason. Granted there aren't many Mannings, but when one comes around you just do it. I think that the truth is that most NFL players are system fit kind of guys...there are very few truly elite players who can change a game. The best strategy is usually to find some good players who fit what you're trying to do and then get as much depth as possible. When one of those game changers comes around...a Ray Lewis...a Manning...an Orlando Pace...you adjust your strategy. If they think Bradford or another player is an absolute game changing elite monster, they should take him. Otherwise...trade down and start building a new team to match what the coaches are trying to do.— Contract Aaron
- Epbowls, you're right. It's very hard to move out of the top spot. I should have said hypothetically it'd be nice to trade down. For the top pick to work out well, it has to be a QB who becomes a superstar. And even then he's overpaid for the first five years. Steelers, Eagles, Pats, and Colts might have fewer wins if they'd had to pick in the top 5 frequently.— tacklinjoe
- I like pancakes.— 88etrain
- The combine is a waste in my opinion. I would only send my medical staff there to check on the players and interview them and that's it. Running around in an empty Lucas Oil stadium isn't going to tell me if a guy can play. His resume is on tape already.— davekrieg
