Eagles' Howie Roseman, Joe Douglas explain Chris Long, Patrick Robinson signings
PHOENIX - The Eagles put Band-Aids on two positions of need Tuesday by signing veteran defensive end Chris Long to a two-year contract and cornerback Patrick Robinson to a one-year deal.
Both former first-round picks are established NFL starters who do not figure into the Eagles' long-term plans, but they help plug holes for the short term.
"I think we're at the stage of free agency where we're constantly looking for value," said Howie Roseman, the Eagles' executive vice president of football operations.
Long is the higher-profile signing of the two. He turned 32 on Tuesday and won a Super Bowl with the New England Patriots last season while totaling four sacks. A former No. 2 overall pick who is the son of Hall of Famer Howie Long, Long has 581/2 career sacks in nine seasons. He spent the first eight years of his career in St. Louis, where he played in a defense similar to the one the Eagles use. That is one of the reasons the Eagles are optimistic about how Long will fit in.
He is expected to provide rotational depth to the Eagles' defensive line and will also be a valuable veteran in the locker room. Roseman indicated that Long could take on the on- and off-field roles that Connor Barwin played.
"A great teammate, a great leader, a high-motor player, relentless player who still has explosive qualities," said Joe Douglas, the Eagles' vice president of player personnel.
The Eagles will likely start Brandon Graham and Vinny Curry at defensive end, with Marcus Smith and Steven Means returning as backups and 2016 draft pick Alex McCalister also trying to make the team after spending last year on injured reserve. They also could be active seeking edge-rusher help in the draft.
"I wouldn't say it gives us any more freedom [for the draft]," Douglas said. "Chris adds another pass rusher. We need as many pass rushers as we can."
What it does is at least give the Eagles insurance knowing the need is less glaring with the draft one month away. That was also the motivation in signing Robinson, a 29-year-old who has started 49 games for three teams in seven NFL seasons. Robinson is 5-foot-11 and 191 pounds and was a 2010 first-round pick by the New Orleans Saints. He played for the Indianapolis Colts last season, when he started six games and appeared in seven. He finished the year on injured reserve with a groin injury.
The Eagles lack proven players at cornerback. Robinson joins Jalen Mills, Ron Brooks, C.J. Smith, and Dwayne Gratz atop the depth chart. That will likely change after the draft, which is deep at the position.
Even though Roseman said in January that the Eagles cannot rely on Band-Aids, the latest signings were done because of value and need. They are not operating under the premise that these signings are the missing pieces. Roseman indicated that at this stage of free agency, these are the types of players the Eagles are seeking.
"We're value shopping, for sure," Roseman said. "Do I think we're going to sign three or four more players in free agency? I don't. But there are a couple guys we're looking at at this stage that we're surprised are still available."
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