$20 million to spend for Eagles?
The Philadelphia Inquirer Blog - Eagles
$20 million to spend for Eagles?
Jeff McLane, Inquirer Staff Writer
The Eagles will have "a little less" than $20 million to spend in free agency if estimates of the new salary cap figure in the NFL collective bargaining agreement are correct, a league source said.
Various reports have the cap set at $120 million. The Eagles have roughly $100 million in salaries, including the approximate $16 million quarterback Michael Vick is owed under the franchise tag, that would count against their cap number.
That figure could increase depending upon whether the Eagles signed any of their own free agents before the league year started, and will decrease several million after they sign their draft picks. The new year is expected to begin a week following an agreement. If owners and players were to OK a deal on Thursday -- as many expect -- free agency would start on July 28.
The Eagles have said repeatedly that they have an aggressive plan for free agency. If estimates are on the mark coach Andy Reid and general manager Howie Roseman should have enough leeway to fill holes at cornerback and on the defensive line. The Eagles could also potentially be in need of a backup quarterback and backup running back if Kevin Kolb was to be dealt and Jerome Harrison was to leave via free agency.
If reports are true, Harrison will be an unrestricted free agent, along with several other Eagles will more than four years of service and less than six. Linebacker Stewart Bradley, punter Sav Rocca and Harrison are likely the only players that would have been restricted under last year's rules that the Eagles are to consider keeping for next season.
The Eagles will have the opportunity to sign their own free agents before the league year commences. Colleague Jonathan Tamari does a fine job indentifying the Eagles' potential targets once free agency begins here. At cornerback, Nnamdi Asomugha, Johnathan Joseph, Ike Taylor and Carlos Rogers could be available. At defensive end, Ray Edwards, Charles Johnson and Jason Babin are attractive options. The defensive tackle free agent field isn't as sexy.
The Eagles also have to take into consideration possible extensions for players like Vick or wide receiver DeSean Jackson when formulating how to use their cap space.
Good News. Now the Eagles can use that money to sign Jonathan Joseph or Ike Taylor, Ray Edwards, Albert Haynesworth, Plaxico Burress and sign Vick and DeSean Jackson to long term deals.— briandawkins20
If McLane's reporting that the Eagles will have $20M to spend then most likely it's wrong.— philly_J- How much will they have after they get rid of Kolb?— HandNik
- He only cost 1.4 mill salary. — beerflow
- Signing Plax is the only way this team can win it all. Give Vick the tall playground jump ball WR he needs to overcome his mental deficiencies and maybe. Otherwise forgets it as the team stands currently.— PhillySportsAddict1969
- Cant wait for another year of good but not good enough. Andy an the front office will make the season interesting but we wont win that Super Bowl. But the Birds will make a ton of money. Which is always what counts.
- Go for it and spend it all!!!!!— shawnmac
- I predict that Andy will not win the SB until he wins the SB. The only one paying Asumgha $19 million is Al Davis.— tommy_the_k
- IF all of the choices are out there, I'm not sure if it would be wise to throw all of the money at Aso, but instead spend it on longer deals on Joseph and Johnson...— PhilliefaninAZ
- Unless for some reason Vick doesn't want a long term deal, there is no way he'll be counting 16 mil against the cap. I seriously question if the Eagles will extend DeSean...the Eagles don't like loud mouths. None of our FA's are worth signing, let alone to big money deals. The Eagles should have more than 20 mil to spend, but they won't come close to spending that much, as usual.— Only in Philly...
- I would like to see Babin come back, but I don't think it will happen. He is 31, coming off a career year, and is probably looking to break the bank on one last contract. Unless the "market" plays out just right (e.g., teams shy away from the big contract for him), he is not coming to Philly. Philly will not overpay for a 31 year old DE who has had one good season. If all teams are unwilling to overpay, then I believe that the Eagles are the frontrunners because of the Washburn connection. However, it only takes one team to overpay, and that won't be the Eagles.— Penfold18
Comment removed.- Traditionally, the Eagles have been 15-20 million under the cap, all of which goes into Jeff Luries' pocket. So, for the past 10 years the owner has made at least 150 million above and beyond what the owners show in their books. My point, call me when the Eagles are more interested in winning a super bowl than they are in lining the pockets of the owner....That phone call will never come.— Voytas
- I know, trade Vick instead of Kolb and have $36 Million to spend. Talk about fielding an All-Star team. They could easily sign the top CB, Top DE, a LB and another OL. Maybe even a safety too. Then just Franchise Kolb next year and all is good especially with the 2 #1s we would get for trading Vick.— Eagle GREEN Mt State
- Gotta agree with Voytas, Tommy_the_K and SJDevilboy. As much as I love the Eagles, I just don't see them winning a Super Bowl this year or next. Always a bridesmaid and never the bride for the Birds. Unload Fat Andy for a year's worth of Rita's soft pretzels and a scoop of water of ice and call it a day!— Panthro2011
- As usual, the loudmouth, drunk haters are out. Why do you guys even read the articles and comment if you hate the Birds so much? There is a Cowboys site too, go there and spew your hate. And in case you actually know how to read, look up some recent articles on the new cap rules, you will have to spend between 90-95% of the cap (in cash - not just in transferring contracts forward as they have in the past) so you will all get what you want now. I, on the other hand, enjoyed that advantage they got every year in moving contracts to have monies available to sign big players they wanted (i.e. Samuel, Peter, Akers, etc)— andrewc23
- Vick and Burress. Ah, the prison team.— 2smart4philly
- I just hope that which ever player they resign or pick up, that it will benefit the team. I am so sick of these great players getting millions and going down in preseason or practice with blown knees or back spasms they can't shake as they run to the bank each payday to cash the checks. Players changing their names to suit their feelings, hosting bad tv shows, bar fights, DUI'S, domestic abuse, making millions of dollars during their seasons and blowing it all on drugs, cars, baby mamma's....just play football. Thats all I am asking for— nc3926
- I don't think Kolb is worth all of the hype he's getting. If he was, the Eagles would be keeping him instead of Vick. Its obvious that Andy Reid is just building up Kolb's abilities to get the most he can in a trade. We've all seen Kolb in action. He can be pretty good or he can be horrible on any given day. But its obvious that he's not the next coming of Peyton Manning or Tom Brady. Or maybe not even Donovan McNabb, for that matter.— SteveS11
- FYI the Eagles payroll last season was $131 million. The Packers $135 million and the steelers $122.9 million. If only it was as easy as spending money. You guys need to read the facts before you make accusations of cheap ownership.— bobf876
- Eagles NEVER spend up to the cap. They will sign Charles Johnson or ascending yet unproven player for less then the established player. Then they will resign Bradley to placate Andy's enormous ego and will tell us how they felt he was better then available blah,blah blah. A.R.'s huge ego and Joe Banners small check book is why we have zero trophies— yourdaddy!
- Im grab DE Johnson from the Panthers and RT Clabo from the Falcons. If they could pull that off along with a Kolb for Cromarte deal them they are set. All that would be left is fillers.— FMBNG
- not enough to sign 9 new defensive starters, cole and samuel are fine (!)— snakeplissken
- Problem here is Desaun. Outstanding player but ego as big as TO. No coincidence he and TO have become buddies. He's good but definitely not the best WR in the league, but thinks he is. He'll want more than the Eagles are willing to pay, much more than he's worth.— dapmman
- Voytas, you couldn't be more wrong. The cap number is just apart of the overall accounting for players' compensation. At the end of the day, the Eagles are paying their players close to their max cap number. You have to factor in bonuses, incentives, etc, to get to that number. So think again before you start talking out of your backside opening.— beegal99
- D Jax is going to cost between $8 Million and $11 Million a year over the next 4 years. He's been a bargain for $800 Thousand.— Dexter
- Kolb made 12 Million last year... not money well spent in my opinion, Kolb leaving will open up plenty of space. that may have been the brilliant move to pay Kolb all that money last year.
The Eagles are not going to sign a defensive contributor for the cost of Kolb's Cap space, they can sign several for $12 Million.
the kid in Oakland is to old to sign with the Eagles.
— Dexter - Nickels will spend a few bucks of that $20 million.— Gigs1777
