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.’’
Comment removed.
Do you take Suh - the once in a decade, can't miss talent and a game changer at his position, or the QB Bradford, without which you can't be successful in today's NFL? Seems to me that Spags' mentor had the same choice in '99.— dragoon6- Comment removed.
- @ FlyersFan88 - No team in their right mind is going to trade up into the top 5 unless they are desperate for a QB. The guaranteed money you have to pay out is not worth moving up (especially with no CBA in force). The Rams are going to have to take the best player available at their spot in the first round.— Swyve
- Good points by FlyersFan. The draft is stacked against the bad teams, because you pay a billion dollars for someone great like Suh. I would go farther down and try to get two first rounders and one second rounder, as much as I'd like Suh. And if Bradford or Clausen are around at #11, maybe take a flyer at them. For players, owners, and fans the best thing they could do is limit the amounts paid to draft picks to something like $3 million per year. Let the big money start in year three, when you really know the guy.— tacklinjoe
- FYI - Based on the Draft Pick Value Chart, the Rams pick is worth 3,000 points. Let's say the team with the 10th pick in first round wants to move up. The 10th pick is worth 1,300...they would need to throw in their 2nd, 3rd and 4th round picks which add up to 782 points plus a couple of starters just to make up the remaining 1,000 points. I don't believe any team is going to give up the farm to move up 9 or more spots.— Swyve
- Great anecdote from least year's draft - NFL GM with the #1 pick calls GM with later pick, inquiring about trading down. 2nd GM says "Ohh, you want to trade the first pick? How much will you give us to take it off your hands?" Jerry Jones' famous chart doesn't factor when it's a top five pick. Unless Peyton Manning/Gabrielle Reece's love child is declaring early, top five is an albatross.— dragoon6
- @ Flyersfan- Do you realize no one wants the #1 pick? They can't package and get more assets. Your "plan" sounds fine (except for Vick for a 2nd rounder, that's insane) but they can't move out of the first spot that's all there is to it.— epbowls
- McNabb to Arizone doesn't make sense They are used to a precision passer, which Donovan sure isn't. Once you've lost an experienced QB, why replace him with another who is at the end of his career and have to do it again. Now's the time for the Cardinals to start over with a younger QB who could peak when the rest of the offense is still in their prime.— atp2007
- Dragoon - The value chart was developed by Jimmy Johnson.— epbowls
- We need something for somebody— sizaleo
- It is interesting how much more valuable a top pick is in the NBA compared to the NFL. You can't pay enough to buy the top pick in the NBA and you have to pay someone to take the top pick in the NFL because of the way salaries work in each league.— Duracorr
- Jeff Lauri had it right in 2007 (see link below), whatever he gets for vick will not equal the negative image in the minds of many fans that now surrounds the team. Sure they still have many fans but speaking to numerous people there is a real disgust with a growing number of the fanbase, I bet that they (the eagles) have taken a hit (no matter what they report) in merchandise sales. Jeff still has a ton of money but he made a huge mistake in picking up vick and it will be felt for years to come. http://nfl.fanhouse.com/2007/08/08/jeffrey-lurie-philadelphia-eagles-dont-tolerate-cruelty-to-ani/— JKJSMCD
- Comment removed.
- If AR gets rid of DMAC he will be admitting one of two things, 1) DMAC was the wrong choice to lead us to the SB or 2) he stayed with him too long (11years)....not sure if "Big Red" has the guts to admit he was wrong— JKJSMCD
