Maclin lands; Eagles sign two
Jeremy Maclin was scheduled to arrive at Philadelphia airport from St. Louis at 10:30 a.m. this morning, so the recently-signed wide receiver should already be on the ground. The Eagles are hoping their top draft pick is at Lehigh in time for today's afternoon practice. That means he should be available to the press sometime around 4:30 p.m.
Maclin lands; Eagles sign two
Jeff McLane, Inquirer Staff Writer
BETHLEHEM, Pa. -- Jeremy Maclin arrived at Philadelphia airport from St. Louis at 10:30 a.m. this morning. The Eagles top draft pick then drove an hour north landing at Lehigh in the early afternoon. He won't participate in this afternoon's special teams practice, but he will be available to the press following the practice at 2:45 p.m. He'll get to work tomorrow morning.
The team and Maclin finally came to terms on a five-year deal late last night. Maclin is expected to earn $15.5 million with $9.5 million of that guaranteed. He missed the first eight days of training camp and has some time to make up.
Roster moves
The Eagles, as expected, announced the signing of linebacker Matt Wilhelm this afternoon. A two-year starter with San Diego, Wilhelm was released by the Chargers a few weeks ago. He is expected to contend for the middle linebacker spot left vacant after Stewart Bradley tore his anterior cruciate ligament on Sunday. Joe Mays is currently running with the first team, but Omar Gaither is expected to be given a fair shot at the job. The Eagles also signed defensive end Jason Babin, a former first-round draft pick of the Houston Texans in 2004. Babin, who has also played for Seattle and Kansas City, has 15 career sacks in five seasons.
In order to make room on the roster for Maclin, Wilhelm and Babin, the Eagles released defensive tackle Jervonte Jackson, cornerback Courtney Robinson and wide receiver Marcus Thigpen.
Camp notes
Jason Peters was absent from practice and wasn't even on the field working out with the training staff. The tackle suffered a quad spasm last week and missed the first three days of full-squad practice. He returned Sunday, but must have had a setback. Tackle Shawn Andrews (back) was also not out on the field. Ellis Hobbs was also missing. The cornerback had a stinger on Sunday.
Running back Brian Westbrook (ankle), defensive end Victor Abiamiri (pectoral muscle), defensive tackle Trevor Laws (hamstring) and safety Victor Harris (ankle) continued to work out with the training staff today.
Cornerback Asante Samuel is completely back from his hamstring pull. He participated in the live hitting portion of practice.
Comment removed.
Good Special Teamer which they will need too now that Mays will probably start and be taken off special teams— bsaw- The new line needs to be out there practicing together.— P Even
- Comment removed.
- Finally.... shuttle him up to Lehigh and get him on the field...— M60tanker
- Paging Derrick Brooks— LF
- I also suggest going after Derrick Brooks. Classy guy, would bring great experience, still has something left.— Ascher
- Comment removed.
- derrick brooks is washed up and will soon be retired. great player, but as we have learned from trotter, once its time its time. Maclin is a clown, that dummy should have been in the area waiting to get his contract completed so that he could get to practice as soon as the thing was signed. Its shows lack of commitment— verse_321
- Perhaps due to the relative intensity of Eagles camp, players new to the organization rarely make it through all of the sessions and quite often it seems to significantly impact their role and contribution to the season, especially in the early games. How Maclin weathers the storm will conclude for me how exceptional his athletic he is. My thinking is that there is a very good chance that one or both of his legs are injured within a week if not sooner.— Murrayman
- I agree. He should have flown yesterday direclty to Lehigh International airport, no need to come to Philly airport and then have to shuttle up there. He missed too many days already. The rules for NFL rookies needs to be changed. All deals needs to be final prior to training camp and make it mandatory or a fine should be imposed on the agent and player for not getting it done on time. The agents needs to know that they have to look out for best interest of their client beyond dollars and cents.— knmcmahon
- Yo— Murrayman
- With Maclin signing late and Bradley out for the season our once promising season looks to be going down hill rapidly. After the draft and free agency I had the Eagles going 12-4. Now with the tragic death of JJ, the injuries and lack of playing time of the OL, Maclin not getting into it until late today or tomorrow, the loss of Bradley I do not believe they will win 9 games. I think we are looking at 7-9 at best. Prabably last place in the NFC East. What will happen next, the Andrew sisters will not play most games, Peters is already injured and they will keep Brown. Things don't look good.— aleman
- If he was in there area where would he have stayed? He wasnt sign & he just got out of college - he's got no money. You want Maclin roaming the streets till he could afford a place? Now he does and he is staying in Lehigh.— R Mexico
- Comment removed.
