Eagles acquire DT Jenkins; Trade Bunkley
The Philadelphia Inquirer Blog - Eagles
Eagles acquire DT Jenkins; Trade Bunkley
Jeff McLane, Inquirer Staff Writer
BETHLEHEM, Pa. -- The rich just got richer.
The Eagles have signed free agent defensive tackle Cullen Jenkins to a five-year contract, the team announced.
The deal is worth $25 million, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN.com.
With the addition of Jenkins the Eagles traded defensive tackle Brodrick Bunkley to the Cleveland Browns for a 2012 fifth-round draft pick. They also brought back free agent linebacker Akeem Jordan.
Jenkins gives the Eagles a pass-rushing option inside. Last season for the Super Bowl champion Green Bay Packers, Jenkins racked up seven sacks. He has 29 career sacks in seven seasons of play, mostly as a defensive end. He moved to a three-technique end when the Packers switched to a 3-4 two seasons ago.
Eagles general manager Howie Roseman said Jenkins can play both insdie or out.
"On third down he rushes from inside and we think he makes a difference in that role," Roseman said. "In this defense, in this scheme, it really utilizes all his talents."
The Eagles are giving new defensive coordinator Juan Castillo virtually a new defense. In the last few days they've added defensive end Jason Babin, cornerbacks Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie and Nnamdi Asomugha and now Jenkins.
The team's embarrassment of riches and its free-spending week has turned the NFL upside down. Aside from the above-mentioned defensive players, the Eagles also signed quarterback Vince Young, tight end Donald Lee and wide receiver Johnny Lee Higgins.
Roseman was asked if the Eagles still had room under the salary cap to continue to make moves. He deferred to team president Joe Banner, who was sitting in the audience.
"Hell, yeah," Banner said.
The Eagles have some long-term decisions to make in terms of money. Currently, wide receiver DeSean Jackson is holding out in the hopes of getting a new contract. Quarterback Michael Vick is also expected to get a new deal.
The Jenkins addition could signal the end for cornerback Asante Samuel, who is slated to earn roughly $15 million over the next two seasons. The Eagles have been receiving calls from teams looking to perhaps trade for Samuel, NFL sources said.
The Eagles could still make more moves. They may need a veteran linebacker, a backup running back, and perhaps another offensive linemen. The team's wide receiver situation -- with Jackson holding out and Jeremy Maclin absent with an illness -- could also influence the Eagles' plans.
Bunkley, the Eagles' 2006 No. 1 draft pick, departs after five seasons. It's fair to label Bunkley a disapointment. He recorded just six career sacks and would sometimes fade for games. Last season, he injured his elbow, missed a few games and eventually lost his starting spot to Antonio Dixon.
Read my post from earlier today 1:07 pm, second one down!
http://www.philly.com/philly/blogs/moving_the_chains/vick_073011.html?c=0.9612420573020097?&c=n- Who's that a picture of?
— smelavizun - Now to get rid of Samuel......does anyone know if Ed Wade is managing anyone in the NFL?— djlen
- Bunkley for a 5? Guess they wanted to get rid of him. Never was great. First round bust but played a lot of games— Ssteve115
- Joe "making it rain" Banner— BigRoundRed
- It will be fun to see the Eagles spend a ton of money and choke in the playoffs...again!— Swyve
...traded Broderick Bunkley for a 5th round pick and resigned Akeem Jordan to a 1 year deal.- I don't see Nnamdi mentioned in the list of players added.— mikemaddog
- This is awesome! Phillies have set the bar for the teams in this town, and the other teams are responding!
AND THE FANS ARE THE WINNERS!!!! - they are obviously trying to shed the "cheap" image in fans minds, and are trying to make it look like they are all in to win...and maybe management really does want to win...but they never will with Reid as coach. It would have been great to sign Cullen Jenkins and KEEP who they add so he is an ADDITION to the D-line, but then they just trade Bunkley for a 6th round pick. Now you gain almost nothing. Bunkley was a decent DT, Jenkins is only slightly better. Jenkins is 6'2 305...and bunkley is 6'2 306. jenkins was an undrafted guy as well so hes just worked reallhard and has more fire then bunkley, but physically they are virtually the same, in fact Bunkley is a better athlete being a first round pick...jenkins not even drafted. Just on heart alone he may be a SLIGHT upgrade, but its almost no difference when you could have had bunkley as your #3 #4 in your rotation...instead they will keep Darly Tapp, to have like 6 small DE's. its not enough. not gonna win.— CharlieGarner25
- What are you smoking, CG? We know you hate the Eagles, but you aren't even a football fan if you measure D-line talent solely on size. And Jenkins isn't exactly small. I do like your idea of keeping Bunk and putting Jenkins into the ends rotation as well, though. Would've been insurance if Babin flopped and Jenkins turned out to be a better pass rusher outside. — goeagles87
- I will need a line up sheet this year. Well you can cancel out any excuses for the defense this year. These are trades and pick ups geared for a deep run to a Super Bowl.... I can't expect any less. Wow!— Dexter
- STILL NO SUPE FOR YOU.— billz
- This is crazy!!....nobody knows what will happen next. The only thing I know for sure in this league right now is McNabb is still a no-heart nancy boy LOSER who will drive the Vikings right into the ground. Other than that, I'm lost....but it's GREAT!!!
Comment removed.
