Eagles show interest in OL Pitts
The Eagles are one of five teams to show interest in free-agent guard Chester Pitts, who underwent offseason microfracture surgery on his knee.
Eagles show interest in OL Pitts
Sheil Kapadia, Philly.com
Free-agent guard Chester Pitts said during a radio interview that the Eagles are one of five teams who have shown interest in him.
"I originally took three trips – Detroit, San Fran and Seattle – and they’re all actually still in the mix, and then Philly and Minnesota actually called last week and said, ‘If you’re ready on the 15th [of July], we’re going to work you out and we have a place for you," Pitts told Sirius Radio (via Scout.com). "For me, I’m 85 percent, I’m pushing at 90 but I don’t like to say I’m at 90 because I’m not quite there yet. But I’ll be 100 percent (in) probably six weeks. So I have about a two-week cushion to get it as healthy and get as strong as I can get it."
Pitts injured his knee in Week 2 of last season and was placed on injured reserve. He had an impressive streak of 113 starts prior to the injury, which required microfracture surgery in the offseason.
He was a second-round pick in 2002. Listed at 6-4, 308 pounds, Pitts turns 31 in June.
The interior of the O-line is probably the Eagles' biggest offensive weakness as they prepare for another round of OTAs on Wednesday.
Assuming center Jamaal Jackson is sidelined to start the season, Nick Cole is the favorite to start in his place. The Birds are solid on the left side with Todd Herremans at guard, but Herremans could be called on to slide over to tackle if Jason Peters gets injured.
The right side is the key. That's where the Eagles are giving Stacy Andrews another chance after a disastrous debut in 2009. If they bring Pitts in, that's the position where it would make sense for him to compete. Max Jean-Gilles, who underwent offseason lap-band surgery, could also be in the mix.
Earlier, I posted on Randall Cunningham.
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I wish the article told me a little more about this guy. I had to go on Wikipedia to find out what team he played on. I'm not familiar with the Texans, so a little info would be nice.— ej610
Tom Man - do you get off the toilet after 1 second of no production? Geez man, relax, those were new additions to the team and the players we replaced them with, Runyan and Thomas, didn't even see the field last year.— EaglesBleedMoney- He may be a good fit for the Kneegles. Altho a little long of tooth.
The youth movement thing was something others said, the Eagles said they are trying to get better. Pitts can play, how can the addition of a good O-lineman hurt this team? Despite insinuations from other posters that AR doesn't put a priority on the O-line, quite the opposite is true. The Andrews boys let him down last year and Jamaal Jackson's injury could not have come at a worse time. Let's see how things shake out in camp/pre-season before we all have a tizzy, shall we?- Thought we were moving to youth? Why are we considering a 31 yr old who's coming off an injury? that did not work last year with Stacy and Jason - did we not learn that last year?— Tom Man
- runyan was 74 years old...and had the hairiest back and arms this side of the Mississippi...— EaglesBleedMoney
Wasn't the concern about recovery from microfracture surgery what supposedly scared them off from resigning Runyan last year?— tornadoh- everyone is so negative..how much could a 300 pound lineman rely on his knees anyway? :)— jim715
- do any of the eagles has good knees? its like a support group.— sasquatches
Agreed w/ Smashmouth to a point. 31 yrs old AND knee surgery sounds like a FO special. My disagreement is for noting Nick Cole as "scrappy, versatile but really a reserve". I'd have to say he's more than that if he held his own position thru the year, then was pushed over to center in the snap of an ACL on J.Jack, even tho he didn't have a great showing against Dallas. That's more Reid's fault for not having more/better personel. Just another example of Andy giving the O-line a fleeting glance when filling roster spots. Agreed w/ jb99; I realize we can look up stats.com, etc. but listing his old team would be nice; still, Sheil does a pretty good job here.- you might want to include the name of the team he played on last year? i know that's more journalism than aggregating but still.— jb99
- Thirty-one years old AND knee surgery: thats a BANNER BARGAIN PLAYER. Seriously, Peters-Herremann and Andrews-Justice are set and will be terrific barring injury. Nick Cole is a scrappy, versatile player-but really a reserve. Jean-Max Gilles is battling injuries and weight--not sure he'll even make the squad in 2010. Pitts could be a great addition if his injury heals well. Mawae might be another.— Smashmouth
Comment removed.- Microfracture surgery. He will sign a contract with the Eagles soon. He fits in perfectly.— syddan26
- We love getting guys after major knee injuries. i get the value play but need to make sure he is 100%— Four4Four
- Would be a good pickup if healthy. We will need all the able bodies we can get on the O-line to protect Kolb.— kcruel
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