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.
http://insider.espn.go.com/nfl/fa?playerId=5009— cletisvandam- There is something about all this that feels very fantasy. Of course, while others were playing and coaching to learn their craft, fantasy football is exactlyhow Howie was learning what little he knows about the game. While most other teams are hesitant in free agency bc of the shortened preseason, Howie is going gangbusters. Of course, he doesn't have to coach them up. Have we forgotten about the OL coach DC? The porous OL? LBs? Where to begin with them...hold onto to your super bowl reservations folks. Football ain't baseball and it certainly ain't fantasy football. 6-10.— Stop.Enough.
- Negadelphia — HersheyBird
Comment removed.- My previous post should read that it all feels very fantasy footballish.— Stop.Enough.
- Wow, just wow...again. Part of me thinks Sean McDermott got a raw deal, considering all the talent Castillo has to work with.— p-diddy
- Bunkley traded to Cleveland for a 5th rounder.— JettMartinez
- This is a great deal for the Eagles. They needed some push in the middle. I doubt they are finished..
Crazy week and they are living up to their word. They are being aggressive— Ssteve115 - Quixote---- What changed is that people actually want to play with Mike Vick. Donovan McNabb was never the guy that attracted talent to come play with him. People see Vick and the offence around him, and know that they want to be a part of something very special. The Mike Vick reclamation project won't be complete until he's hoisting up that lombardi trophy with tears flowing down his eyes as well as the eyes of ALL TRUE EAGLES FANS!!!— papabear702
- Couldn't of said it better papabear! That's exactly why. TO was right all along! I'm starting to tear up already. AMEN — kchaz
- you guys are right on I envisioned Vick and confetti flowing last year. maybe I was only 1 year off just maybe!!! — vickfan79
This is dizzying...and they're not done. There's no way they're gonna keep 3 high priced corners.
An OT or LB on the way via trade?- Check out the link before for a great breakdown of Cullen's success. Great pick up! http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2011/writers/kerry_byrne/07/28/cullen-jenkins-free-agent/— PHLtoLAX
- http://phillysportsdaily.com/
— xone9 
Joe "Hell Yeah" Banner— tpizza
