Posted: Friday, July 30, 2010, 11:17 PM | 10 comments |
 

Thoughts on Mays, Arrington
options
 

As you may know by now, the Eagles have sent linebacker Joe Mays to Denver for running back J.J. Arrington.

The Eagles' linebacking corps has undergone a significant change this offseason. Mays was one of six linebackers who played the middle last season after Stewart Bradley went down during training camp. But, like the Eagles' other options, he wasn't able to adequately fill in.

In addition to serving as a backup in the middle, Mays also played special teams for the Birds.

Omar Gaither is the backup in the middle right now, and he has also play the weak side in the past. Seventh-round pick Jamar Chaney will also likely see reps in the middle behind Gaither.

As for Arrington, he has not had a carry since the 2009 Super Bowl. A second-round draft pick in 2005, Arrington spent his first four seasons with the Cardinals. He set career highs in attempts, yards and touchdows as a rookie - carrying 112 times for 370 yards and a pair of scores.

For his career, Arrington's carried 183 times for 654 yards. He's also caught 91 balls for 693 yards.

Arrington missed all of last season. He signed with the Broncos before failing a physical and undergoing microfracture surgery on his right knee.

In the last three years, Arrington's carried 71 times for 284 yards.

So where does Arrington fit into the Eagles' running back picture? Well, obviously everything depends on his health. LeSean McCoy and Leonard Weaver are locks to make the Birds' roster. And the Eagles signed restricted free agent Mike Bell in the offseason.

Eldra Buckley and sixth-round pick Charles Scott will be fighting for roster spots.

My initial thought is that Arrington might not even make the team. We'll just have to see how his knee is holding up. Mays was not going to play a prominent role with the linebackers anyway, so it's not as if they gave up a valuable piece.

The Inquirer's Jeff McLane reports that the Eagles will receive a sixth-round pick in 2010 if Arrington doesn't make the roster.

On Thursday, Mays was unpacking his car and moving into his living quarters at Lehigh, as he's done the past three seasons since the Eagles drafted him in the sixth round of the '08 draft. Now he'll be headed to Englewood, Colorado for camp with the Broncos.

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Posted by Sheil Kapadia @ 11:17 PM  Permalink | 10 comments
10
Comments   
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 11:33 PM, 07/30/2010
    So basically they traded Mays for a sixth-round pick?
    — joeyjoejoe
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 11:45 PM, 07/30/2010
    6th round pick is for 2012
    — The Boston Strangler
  • Comment removed.
  • Comment removed.
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 3:13 AM, 07/31/2010
    Moving the peas around the plate...
    — disgruntled fan
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 6:29 AM, 07/31/2010
    Getting a 6th round pick for Mays is a good deal. He's not one of our top six linebackers. Gaither is probably better in the middle, and can play all three spots. Even if Arrington's knee is okay, how would he play here?
    — tacklinjoe
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 7:59 AM, 07/31/2010
    I was just thinking we were missing one of those post knee surgery reclamation projects at RB prior to the trade...Seriously though Mays was a stretch to make the roster which is pretty saturated(not skill wise, but body wise) at LB. Getting something for him is not bad especially since they put in the 6th rounder clause. Wish we coulda had a roster(vs PUP/IR) clause in Marlin Jackson's contract...
    — vachaos
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 8:15 AM, 07/31/2010
    vachaos - You would only have a clause like that when making a trade. Marlin Jackson was signed as a free agent.
    — snakeman
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 9:29 AM, 07/31/2010
    A 6th round pick for Mays is not bad, but Howie will, no doubt, turn that into 3 or 4 7th round picks come draft weekend in 2012.
    — younged
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 2:59 PM, 07/31/2010
    If healthy, I could see him being the kickoff returner. Doubtful Hobbs will be back there while being the starting corner, coming off an injury.
    — craigmack


10 comments
About Sheil Kapadia
Sheil Kapadia is in his fourth season writing about the Eagles and the NFL for philly.com. His earliest memories as a sports fan include several trips to Veterans Stadium with his Dad. He's not a beat writer or an Insider, but is here to discuss the NFL 365 days a year. E-mail him at skapadia@philly.com or by clicking here

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