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.
start planning the PARADE route, Baskett is back!!! now, we can try and trade Kevin Curtis for about 3 #1 picks, to go along with the 2 #1's they want for Kolb and the 2nd round pick for the dog killer.. i'd sure like to know what FANTASY land the front office lives in, because i want to live there too! IDIOTS!— sean77- Hank will go down as the guy that fumbled the onsider in the Bowl, but lets no forget his other infamous 15 minutes of fame not as Mr. Kendra. He is the receiver in one of those NFL commercials for direct TV or mastercard that are in slow motion. He is jumping for a ball in the end zone and for a split second you think he is gonna make a spectacular catch and then........he drops its.— Atlas
- Let's make sure we put him on the "hands team" for onside kick coverage!— my3cents
Comment removed.- Who in their right mind would do this,did they not watch the same super bowl where the ball hit him in the head that became a fumble.It seems we keep maken one bad decision after another.— the Big Bear
- So let me get this straight ... this offseason the Eagles have signed a cornerback to play safety that has 2 blown-out knees the past 2 seasons, a receiver that hasn't played in 2 years (Jeremy Bloom, v2.0), and now Hank Baskett who was AT BEST a #4 receiver the last time he was here? That's great ... so when does baseball season start again?— PhillyMike09
- This is a solid move. Now we have that tall red zone threat that we have been waiting for. Ugh— ant8817
- You cant have superstars on your team as a 5th receiver as its too costly. Baskett knows the system and is a decent player. The only reason Baskett was let go last year was due to injury problems at other spots. The Eagles are making sensible choices so far to fill the holes and add depth. Lets see what happens with the QB situation and the draft before we judge. No big moves have been made yet.— bradco
- The Eagles did something the Sixers can't do...find the Baskett.— dasher
- I was going to write a rant of displeasure, but L Bears said everything for me. Thanks Mr. Bears.— dixie1
- Let me let you all in on a little secret, The Eagles suck...Butterfingers Baskett is one of the reasons the Colts lost the SB for fumbling that onside kick. Great pickup Andy! DOPE!— tralala
- My only hope is that Kendra can lose that baby wieght!— mconnor1
- I 'm ok with Hank two reasons mainly he is tall and can catch— Marquis
- RE: Fire Andy Reid 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... -------------------------------------------------------------------- Remember the trade was made because of injuries to the linebacker position. That's why Gibson was traded. Typical Philly fan...just knows half the story but yet spouting off.— yeadon75
- Cut me a break!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!— K_Ball
