Birds Pay Stacy Andrews, Sign Avant
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Birds Pay Stacy Andrews, Sign Avant
Les Bowen
The Eagles are paying guard Stacy Andrews' $4.1 million roster bonus and he will remain with the team, a source close to the situation said this afternoon. Last month, a source told the Daily News Andrews would have to restructure his six-year, $38.9 million contract to stay an Eagle; a source confirmed today that Andrews will make a $1.15 million base this season, instead of his original $2.95 million.
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The Eagles announced this morning they have reached agreement with wideout Jason Avant on a five-year contract, which ESPN says is worth $18 million, $8 million guaranteed.
Avant, a restricted free agent, was tendered at the second-round level last week, so he was unlikely to leave, but the team seems to value his hustle, dedication and clutch play, and the new deal reflects that. There were indications last week that the Birds intended to pursue a deal with Avant, as they did with fullback Leonard Weaver, signed to a three-year contract on Friday.
At a news conference this afternoon, Avant thanked God, his wife, his late grandmother and "the Eagles organization for taking a chance on me" when his slow 40 times before the 2006 draft knocked him down a few rounds. Avant, unable to get into a proper sprint starting position because of a broken arm, was listed as "inj" for the scoutng combine 40 and clocked a 4.62 at his Michigan pro day. He told of being disappointed when the first day of the draft, and the first three rounds, passed without his named being called. Avant said he was bolstered by a call from then-Patriots safety Rodney Harrison, whom Avant had met through one of his brothers.
"He called me and said, ‘You just have to let this be fuel for you; to prove a lot of people wrong. That it's not about a 40 time, it’s about being a good football player.’ I’m just thankful to coach [Andy] Reid and those people that were there, [wide receivers coach David] Culley, and all those that helped draft me for looking past the 40 time and really focusing on what type of player I was. I owe a lot of people for it and I’m just thankful for that and I’m going to continue to try to make them proud.”
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Not to pour salt in the (Julius) Peppers wound (hey, I could have written for Steve Martin and Alec Baldwin Sunday night), but the free agent defensive end gave an interview to The Charlotte Observer after signing with the Bears in which he identified the Eagles as his favorite team growing up and spoke of how neat it would have been to sign here, if he hadn't felt the urge to visit and sign in Chicago before even checking us out.
"I wanted to go there also, but when I came here, when I came to Chicago, this just felt right. It had a different feel to it. Obviously, I didn’t visit Philly to see what it felt like, but I didn’t need to," Peppers said.
Nice move.— JimLemley- Avant is a good receiver, but why is he thrown to only 3-4 times a game??— tulsaphil
- This is great news, one of my favorite Eagles and probably has some of the best hands in the entire NFL.— cgrant
- Now, let's hope that jamaal jackson and shawn andrews return from injuries, reid/mornhinweg decide to run the ball more this season, and reid devotes the draft to defense entirely, focusing on a free-safety, outside linebacker, defensive end, and a cornerback.— uscwee
- Thought they'd be arrogant enough to let him walk. Glad he's back, very nice player.— davekrieg
- I agree with TulsaPhil, they need to throw to him more because he has great hands and he is also fearless of contact. I don't understand why he isn't at least the # 2 receiver.— BCRock
- He's not the number two because he's fearless and just plays like a slot receiver. I also agree though he needs the ball more. I used to say its 3rd and Avant. He is so clutch on 3rd down.— Phillyphan26
- Great hands coupled with toughness over the middle...and downfield blocking.
Comment removed.- Under-appreciated from the day he was drafted. Good for Jason.— hobbit
Good job here by the front office. Birds are set at WR with Jackson, Maclin on the outside and Avant in the slot. As others have said, now shore up this OL so the QB will have time to get the ball to this talented group.— jpk- let's give the eagles credit. they re-signed the 2 guys everyone agreed they should re-sign - avant & weaver. now, dump vick and get the best safety & DE available in 1st 2 rounds. and maybe sign kevin mawae to 1 year deal.
- Woo Hoo, time to start measuring for SB rings— TomM
- There are 2 restricted FA's that could help the Iggs. Dumervil and DeMeco Ryans. Either would be a great addition at the right price.— Cameiros
I don't think Ryans has the service time to be an UFA. I am hoping for a full recovery by Bradley, Gaither, Jordan, Hobbs, and Harris...all of whom were hurt for most if not all of last season. You bet they were missed, as were both of the Andrews boys on the O-line. The Eagles played rookies at WR and RB all year. New faces at FB and both tackle spots, too. Everybody on the roster seemed to get a chance to play guard at one point or another. They still went 11-5 people! If they are as healthy as Dallas was last year (when they played the last game of the season Dallas had NOBODY on the DL!!!!!) they will improve by 2-3 wins next season, even if they don't sign anybody else but draft choices.
