Could the Eagles pursue another star CB?
The Philadelphia Inquirer Blog - Eagles
Could the Eagles pursue another star CB?
Could the Eagles, already committed long-term to Asante Samuel, pursue another star cornerback – i.e. Nnamdi Asomugha -- if and when free agency happens? The “sign Asomugha!” camp might have received some encouraging news from Eagles president Joe Banner Tuesday.
Banner was asked about the idea floated by many, including me, that the Eagles wouldn’t commit huge money to another corner with Samuel already on the roster, especially with needs in other areas. Banner, speaking in general about free agency, poked a hole in that theory.
“If we went or didn’t go in any particular direction it wouldn’t be because of the balance of the cap at that particular position,” he said, noting that the Eagles have committed more money to other positions in the past than other teams might deem prudent.
Reading between the lines, Banner didn’t rule out a bid for Asomugha, or another star at cornerback, though there’s also nothing there that says the Eagles are going to pursue the All Pro. Banner wouldn’t comment on individual players because free agency isn’t yet open.
Talking in general about free agents, though, Banner said he expects the Eagles to be in good position to take advantage of the NFL’s shopping period. The Eagles, he said, have more cap room than most teams, multiple people who can negotiate complex deals in what may be a tight window (likely referring to himself and general manager Howie Roseman) and he expects the Eagles to be better prepared than most for what is likely to be an unusual free agency period, whatever shape it takes once a new CBA is signed.
“There may be opportunities to get some great players that can make a difference at large salaries. There may be an opportunity to get some guys that are very good players but, because there are so many free agents at once, are very good values and we’re going to try to be in a position to take advantage of whatever we think will help us the most.”
Sounds like the Eagles are open to making a splash, but also hope to fill out the roster with some good buys. The team is preparing for a variety of free agency scenarios and a potential buyers’ market. Depending on the free agency rules in the new CBA, there may be up to 500 players available, Banner said.
“If there’s truly 500 new free agents, there’s no doubt there are going to be some value opportunities. There just aren’t that many teams with that much cap room with that many needs to absorb that many players at once,” he said.
Banner noted that despite the cap room the Eagles have, they committed at least $19 million to Michael Vick and David Akers by using the franchise and transition tags on those two and have many of their own free agents to account for. Even if the team lets some of those players go, they will have to pay for replacements to fill out the roster.
“It can be misleading how much room you have,” Banner said.
Also, it’s unclear who exactly will be available. The number of years of service that it takes to reach free agency – four, five or six – is likely to be subject to CBA negotiations. Other teams still can use the franchise or transition tags to retain players.
On other issues not covered in today’s franchise tag story:
-- Asked about committing long-term to Vick despite defenses improving against him down the stretch, Banner made a telling comment that pointed at the Eagles offensive line play.
“There are other aspects of the unit that (Vick) doesn’t control that, you know, will be areas that we’ll try to get stronger around him, that will have an impact on him. Hiring a different offensive line coach with just a different set of ideas who's a really smart guy may contribute positively to all that.”
-- Banner said injured Eagles rehabilitating during a lockout will not be allowed any contact with the team, though the Eagles are trying to set the players up with independent rehab facilities where they can stay on track. Could the NovaCare medical facility attached to the Eagles offices count as an independent site? The Eagles have obviously looked into it. Banner said the team is awaiting a ruling on the question.
-- Players can keep their health insurance if a lockout begins, but would have to pay for it themselves, Banner said.
-- Banner shed some light on the lengthy defensive coordinator search, saying Andy Reid had Juan Castillo in mind early in the process, but waited to hire him until he could find a strong replacement on the offensive line. Banner said the team has an unprecedented strength on the coaching staff: “I don’t know that there’s ever been a time when you’ve had two consensus, literally, the best offensive and defensive line coaches in the, league on the same team at the same.”
If Castillo wasn't hired, the Eagles would have interviewed coaches who participated in the Super Bowl, Banner said.
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I don’t know that there’s ever been a time when you’ve had two consensus, literally, the best offensive and defensive line coaches in the, league on the same team at the same.”
Another Gold Standard moment from Eagles.
Joe Banner makes me sick- You sure seem to be getting sick a lot. Maybe try life as a Bills, Browns, Bengals, or Titans fan. — adzack3441
- completely agree.....they could do ALOT worse then they've done over the past 12+ years. — dennis14
- ending every single one of those NINCE playoff years with a big L in the L column is what's sick. nothing like having yahoo sports keep that big losing L score staring at you for 6 months year in year out to keep you nice and healthy.
— Evilvet - Shows ya how outta f'in touch Joe Banner is..........He states that the Eagles are better off than other teams cause they got two expert contract negotitator nerds,which other teams cant compete.........that'll get us the trohpy Joe.......attaboy!!!!!!!!! I gotta be missin somethin.
— ILUVPHILLYCITYOFLOSERS - Some of you don't appreciate or understand the backroom aspects of professional sports. There are two games being played, one on the field and one in the books. Whats wrong with having expert contract negotiators? I guess you rather have Al Davis or Synder who overpays for overvalued players.— penncrow19
- why do you dopes always bring up snyder or davis......................NO I RATHER HAVE SOMEONE LIKE TED THOMPSON IN GB, OR COLBERT IN PITTSBURGH, OR POLIAN IN INDY...........and my point isnt that having " expert complex negotitators isnt important, but it certainly is secondary to talent and on the field stuff....All he does is talk, talk talk......... — ILUVPHILLYCITYOFLOSERS
- If the suckas keep filling the stadium, nothing will change. REID MUST GO!!!— Gee Money
- Joe "Nickels" Banner.
and - when you transcribe the following sentence from your tapes, it's "who's" not "whose"
"Hiring a different offensive line coach with just a different set of ideas whose a really smart guy may contribute positively to all that.”
— ekw555 - I am new to following the Eagles...but is seems over the last year or so thy have made some remarkably good moves...Vick being one Big example ...Trading McNab at just the right time...Picking up Jerome Harrison...A guy worth Far more then we paid for him and a guy that really adds a lot of strength to our Backfield. His pick up opens up a Draft pick that we otherwise would have needed to spend on a RB...
As a previous Cleveland Follower looking into your situation in Philly ...Your Management and Coaching staffs are just Terrific from what I can see.
Having those Expert Negotitators hasn't hurt— Bigmike 34 - Outside of Big Red's obvious blind spots, I think you're right. He's pretty consistent with bringing in good talent, but has missed the mark with some obvious ones. When he tries to outsmart the rest of the league, that's when we get into trouble. Game-day is an issue every week. He may be the best preparation coach in the NFL, but he needs an offensive coordinator that knows how to adjust during the game. Marty is an Andy clone. Good prep and teaching guy, but lacks contingency planning ability. I don't know if its hubris, or inability but we will never win it all until that is addressed.
Comment removed.- Give it up already. Andy has his problems, but the biggest is over-estimating his talent level. They've lost a lot of big-name guys and failed to replace with equal talent: Jon Runyan, Brian Dawkins, Sheldon Brown and DC Jim Johnson to name a few. They improved the offense at QB, WR, and RB. Now they need a little luck and good health and their transition from 2004-2009 is complete. They put too much on McNabb's shoulders for too long and failed to adequately upgrade the talent on defense after the SB run. But like others have said, 9 playoff appearances in 11 years beats the alternative. — bigtires
