Baskett on board
The Philadelphia Inquirer Blog - Eagles
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.
Im sure she's a real troll compared to whatever is you go home to every night Timmayyy— Phillies1120- Baskett is a nice reserve and knows the team and offense. Now Eagles need to GET SERIOUS about bolstering the running game and defense.— Smashmouth
- Cut curtis. A non factor since day 1.— PhilMar
- L Bears - That was a great post. Good job. What the heck is this team doing???? 50% of my season ticket payment is due on March 15th - is there any coincidence that we'll see some new players after they have all our money?— TheMan
Comment removed.- Just don't let him handle the on-sides kicks.— P Even
- Just keep him on ST and he will be fine.........make sure though he's not in the front for anymore onside kicks.— rtaylor1220
- It's good to have Kendra back. Just keep Hank off the "Hands team."— syddan26
- Yo L Bears...one of the best comments ever! hahahaha— whiplash240
- When healthy, Fargas is a nasty running back and that was in Oakland. Hope the Eagles sign Huggy Bears kid. O and congrats to Hank for finding loyal big Red to sign him back up for bench duty.— Atlas
- Actually the whole thing was a sham... We sent him to Indy to spy on the best QB ever with hopes he can bring somethin back that could rub off on Mcnabb.— BIGGZ043
- i'm holding back judgement until after the draft. but who keep reporting that Reggie Brown was RELEASED? i thought he was traded to TB for a 6th.... who does the reporting around here?— sasquatches
- Who edits the Eagles' prepared statements? "We're excited about welcoming HE and his family back to the Eagles.” Stick to spitting, Dave.— Bake McBride
- Look for Baskett inside the 20's, just sayin'...— DJ
- Our wide receiver position has depth, but our front office is shallow...ZING.— cadilacjack
