What to make of the Hanson move?
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What to make of the Hanson move?
Sheil Kapadia, Philly.com
The Eagles announced Wednesday morning that they've brought Joselio Hanson back and parted ways with 2010 fourth-round pick Trevard Lindley.
Just four days ago, they released Hanson.
All along, there was no question that Hanson was a good fit here in the slot. According to Football Outsiders, he was targeted 46 times last season and allowed 4.4 yards per attempt. That ranked second among cornerbacks with at least 40 targets, behind only Minnesota's Antoine Winfield (4.2 YPA). Asante Samuel led all corners with 3.2 YPA, but he was only targeted 36 times.
Hanson also limited receivers to 1.5 YAC, which was tops in the NFL.
According to Pro Football Focus, he was on the field for about 66 percent of the team's defensive snaps. Considering the Eagles added Nnamdi Asomugha and Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie in the offseason, that number will dip. However, it's worth noting that the Eagles worked on their dime package (4 CBs, 2 safeties, 1 LB) quite a bit in the preseason. Hanson will likely play in that package, and he can step in and play the slot effectively if one of the top three corners goes down.
The initial issue with releasing Hanson seemed to be that he carried a cap hit of $2.4M for 2011. The terms of his new deal have not yet been released, so we'll have to wait and see what the new number is.
As for Lindley, aside from Week 17 against Dallas when the starters sat, he saw significant snaps in four games last year: against the 49ers, Bears, Texans and Cowboys. The Chicago game was a nightmare for Lindley, but he improved in subsequent games against Houston and Dallas.
Coaches and players always talk about the leap from Year 1 to Year 2, but Lindley didn't get to put much work in with the coaches because of his shortened offseason. That obviously hurt him, as did the additions of Asomugha and Rodgers-Cromartie, the selection of Curtis Marsh and the development of Brandon Hughes.
Howie Roseman drafted 24 players in his first two seasons as the Eagles' GM. With the Lindley release, 17 of those picks are now still with the team. The seven players who are gone are: Daniel Te'o-Nesheim, Lindley, Ricky Sapp, Charles Scott and Jeff Owens from last year's class, along with Stanley Havili and Greg Lloyd from this year's class.
Lindley is not eligible for the practice squad because he was active for 11 games last year.
The Eagles currently have six cornerbacks on their roster: Asante Samuel, Asomugha, Rodgers-Cromartie, Hanson, Hughes and Marsh.
Earlier today, I posted expectations for DeSean Jackson and the wide receivers.
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This is a great move. Hanson played extremely well last year, and is one of the top slot/nickel corners in the league. He is a great special teams player. The Eagles did not want to pay 2.5 mil to their fourth corner. I'm sure they resigned Hanson to a figure half that. Now, the Eagles have great depth. Does anybody remember when Troy Vincent got hurt right before the postseason several years ago? With Hanson, we can still put three top corners out there if we get an injury to the big three. Additionally, the Eagles could still entertain a trade for Samuel for the right price. Lindley will never be better than an average player. In fact, Marsh and Hughes already look better than Lindley.— arrowamy- It was always about the money. He signed for less and that sealed Lindley's fate. Good move!— younged
- Cut throat analogy younged. But it's a business, time to trim the fat and cut down on the 31 Touch downs the Eagles defensive backfield allowed last year.— Dexter
- i don't think that you lose that much with lindley over hanson, i would have rather seen hargrove or landri making the roster instead of hanson. I think with the big 3 in place, we have room to wiggle— xlGmanlx
- i don't think that you lose that much with lindley over hanson, i would have rather seen hargrove or landri making the roster instead of hanson. I think with the big 3 in place, we have room to wiggle— xlGmanlx
- Hanson gives them more experience and a better shot at a Super Bowl. I wouldn't be surprised to see Lindley get picked up by a division rival simply to gain insight in to our playbook.— blueye7
- I hate seeing these young men putting their health on the line week in and week out and then getting nickled and dimed.
We pay to see Vick, Jackson and Nnamdi - not Joe Banner and Laurie sitting in their big boxes. They take a risk; the players take a bigger risk.
Que bono? Has anyone figured out how much the billionaire set gets from their respective teams?— Cameiros - i think business owners everywhere would take offense to being told not to enjoy the fruits of their labors. If i was an owner, i would be sitting in my big box too. Don't forget who writes the checks — xlGmanlx
- You call 2 million dollars a year nickel and dimed?
It's a business. And it's a unique business because it has a salary cap. What you hate isn't "young me putting their health on the line". What you hate is capitalists making money. Get used to disappointment because that's how the world works. And if you studied economics, you'd know that that's how the world should work.— Falkirk - Been watching the wire to see where Joselio landed. Glad it's back with the birds! He's a team guy...— PackardTFord
- On paper it's one of the best sets of 6 cornerbacks ever assembled, including Curtis Marsh, who seems to have plenty of potential. On the field...we'll have to see.— armchairGM
- Lindley...another quality draft pick. Keep up the good work.
- They signed him as a valuble piece of trade bait.— Drigh13
- Wow, Teo and Lindley gone in year 2...Watkins benched in favor of a recent acquisition....wonder if Andy hurt Howie's feelings.— bearsfriend
who knows but whoever wrote "mmmbop!" under the philly.com sports icon should seriously consider stabbing themselves in the throat. what creep relates a little boy band to a football player..?— MPatt24- The reason for the 1.5 y.a.c. Is because they were catching the ball in or near the end zone. Hanson stinks— yourdaddy!
- I had no idea Hanson's numbers were that good.— andrewfrombrooklyn
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