Baskett on board
The Eagles have signed free agent wide receiver Hank Baskett to a one-year deal, the team announced.
Baskett on board
Jeff McLane, Inquirer Staff Writer
The Eagles have signed free agent wide receiver Hank Baskett to a one-year deal, the team announced.
Baskett, previously with the Colts, returns to the Eagles after they were forced to release him last September. The 27-year-old receiver spent his first three seasons with the Eagles and was cut after one game last year when the team needed to make room on its roster for Michael Vick.
The Eagles would have likely waived Reggie Brown, who was behind Baskett on the depth chart at the time, but they would have taken a significant salary cap hit. Coincidentally, Brown was released this past Monday, thus making room for Baskett's return.
"It feels good to be back," Baskett said. "It feels like I went on a little vacation and came back home."
Baskett said there was interest from other teams, but that he didn't explore those options because he wanted to return to the Eagles so much. He said multi-year deals could have been on the table if he waited, but he said he wanted to be somewhere where he felt comfortable, knew the system and a place where his family -- wife, Kendra, and a new son -- could easily transition into.
The 6-foot-4, 220-pound Baskett gives the Eagles some of the size they lacked most of the last season. He'll likely step into the No. 4 receiver role behind DeSean Jackson, Jeremy Maclin and Jason Avant. Kevin Curtis' future with the team appears to be in jeopardy.
Baskett owns three of the top ten longest plays in team history (90, 89 and 87 yard touchdowns). Originally signed as a rookie free agent by Minnesota in 2006, Baskett was traded to the Eagles that same offseason for WR Billy McMullen. In his three seasons in Philadelphia from 2006-08, he totaled 71 catches for 1,046 yards and six touchdowns in 47 games (11 starts).
"Hank adds solid depth to our wide receiving group, plus is a productive special teams player," Eagles general manager Howie Roseman said in a statement. "He is a good teammate and obviously is a positive influence in the locker room and is a high-character person. We're excited about welcoming he and his family back to the Eagles.”
Baskett used to be most famous for marrying a playmate and for being in her reality TV show, but unfortunately he recently became infamous for flubbing the onsides kick from the Saints in the Super Bowl. He said he's gotten some flak for the play, but not as much as he's expected.
"I thought everybody was going to come down on me for it, but ... anybody who follows football knows that one play does not change a game," Baskett said. "It sucks that the first onsides kick in [Super Bowl] history before the fourth quarter had to happen to me."
The Eagles are also currently meeting with free agent running back Justin Fargas. He's expected to meet with the media at 1:30 p.m. A deal could be announced sometime before then.
Back with more.
Looks like we are well on the way to the super bowl, Hall last night and now Baskett, cant contain the jubulation!— gottaloveit
Comment removed.- Released, traded...same difference.— dawk2020
- meah— Rocky_Ballbutter
- Hahhahahahaha! What exactly is their plan? I get this is a "depth" move but is it needed? Could they not fill this role with a 6th round pick? Been there, done that.— davekrieg
- Marlin Jackson, Hank Baskett are in and Justin Fargas is on his way. Shaun Andrews finds time in his rigorous rehab schedule to tweet 134 times a day. No Center, no D-line help, no weakside LB and no RB that can block. 3 QBs, one of whom wants to start so bad that he can't help but to diminish his trade value every time he opens his mouth, one who has all the physical tools to be the best in the league but the mental acumen and leadership skills of a dish sponge, and one with 11 nfl quarters under his belt (half of them terrible) and the pressure of being anointed the savior despite having the mobility of the afore-mentioned dish sponge. But Lurie says we're the gold standard, so I'm not sweating it either. Psych!— L Bears
- Looking forward to 2011— diggity
- Brown was actually traded to TB for a bag of footballs, not released.— jrob
- As a 4th or 5th receiver who can play on special teams, it is not bad. But more importantly, Kendra is back.— borncynic
- He's a decent #4 option. I have no problem with this.— FKD215
- so let me get this straight, the eagles cut hank baskett in 2009 because of the promising young brandon gibson, who they then trade to St Louis for Will Withersppon, who is then released this season, and we bring back Baskett...— Fire Andy Reid
- Not a bad move for our #4 or #5 WR. Now lets make sure we get a center and DE that can make a difference in a trade or in the draft. Then use the other picks for LB and safety depth.— JohnFC
- Eagles have done nothing to get better this offseason. Have they forgotten the blowout losses to the Cowboys already? Both of them?! Standing pat and "upgrading" with re-treads like Jackson, Baskett, and Fargas is not gonna get it done. Whatever, they're second fiddle in this town anyway. GO PHILS!— Tacklebury
- Borncynic - I voted No in the poll that it wasn't a good move BECAUSE it means that Kendra will be back. The woman is horrible looking.— Tim R
- Welcome back, Kendra.— TVGuy22
