Eagles won't re-sign Bradley, Rocca, Mikell, Harrison
The Philadelphia Inquirer Blog - Eagles
Eagles won't re-sign Bradley, Rocca, Mikell, Harrison
The Eagles will not pursue any of their own free agents, including starters such as Stewart Bradley, Quintin Mikell and Sav Rocca and backup running back Jerome Harrison, the Inquirer has learned.
Other free agents who the team will not re-sign include Dimitri Patterson, Nick Cole and Max Jean-Gilles, all of whom played significant amounts last season, but struggled at their positions.
Mikell was long expected to be allowed to walk, especially after the Eagles drafted Jaiquawn Jarrett in the second round. and Rocca has been up-and-down as a punter. Somewhat more surprising are the decisions to part ways with Harrison and Bradley.
Bradley was considered a key figure heading into last season and was one of the most experienced linebackers on the team, but he didn't make a major impact in his first year back from ACL surgery and again ended the season with an injury. The Eagles like Jamar Chaney, who is likely to play either at middle linebacker or on the weak side this year, and drafted three linebackers -- though each was taken in the fourth round or later and it could be difficult to get them up to speed in a shortened offseason program. The move might signal that the Eagles will dip into the free agent market for a veteran.
Harrison was a nice complement to LeSean McCoy last year, but likely will want to find a place where he can play more consistently. His departure would leave another hole -- although not a starting one -- unless the Eagles want to trust the backup role to the fifth round pick.
Maybe Chaney will start, but they should keep Bradley, unless his knee is no longer up to the NFL. If Harrison is the 2nd best back on the team, sign him, stop worrying about money. And they'd better know that this Chas Henry is the next Ray Guy before letting Rocca walk.
Cole and Jean Gilles I can see walking, because Mudd probably drafted linemen more to his liking for backups. If Patterson can be signed cheap, he's a football player. Maybe they decided he doesn't have enough quickness in coverage.— armchairGM- 1) I never understood the obsession with Bradley. He never had a serious breakout year; he's always injured; and yet people still talk about him like he's Brian Urlacher in his prime. He's never been the tough kind of linebacker you need to play the middle so I am more than fine with letting him walk.
2) A punter is a punter is a punter. Are you really worried about replacing a PUNTER?
3) Completely agree with the offensive line comment. And as far as Patterson goes, between allowing Lindley to actually play a significant role & show what he's got and whomever we acquire via free agency/trade, it's better that we walk away from him.— ZenGreaser - A punter is a punter is a punter....really? Why don't you ask Tom Coughlin and the Giants about that.
— jimyd0315 - Total upheaval and hopefully the new mentality by the Eagles brass is to really try to acquire better talent. This means they have to spend all of the available money.— shawnmac
- Not quite a "total upheaval"; the team forgot 1 spot to replace-------the head coach. — TEDcGEGI
- I'm glad to hear they are all gone. It is time for some fresh blood. I have no doubt that matthews will start short offseason or not— eaglessuperfan
- All good decisions. Bradley,Mikkel,and Rocca were all underachievers.— Bob65S
- So the accounting firm of Banner, Roseman and Reid are going to bring in new garbage to replace the out-going garbage? The Tonner will sleep easier tonight.
- Now, just please waive Winston "revolving door" Justice!— Tar Heel 1
- C-ya!— NC Eagle Fan
- looks like we are going to have alot of 40-32 games this year— lewisbratspis
- I hope this means that they will take an aggressive approach toward getting high quality, free agent linebackers, if there are any. It's time to value that position a little bit more. That squad has suffered for years due to lack of talent.
I'm surprised they aren't re-signing Rocca though. The rest of them can walk. Good bye!— Penfold18 - I really like Sav and so does the team so I see this as a cost saving measure. They just signed a pretty good rookie free agent punter today who will likely win the job who is also a place kicker if Henerey gets hurt. Henery and Henry. Have fun with that Merril!— blueye7
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