Bowen: Eagles' roundup on first day of 'legal tampering'
NOTHING DEFINITIVE emerged on the Eagles' front from the first day of the NFL free agency "legal tampering" period, which ends Thursday, as official free agency begins that day at 4 p.m.
NOTHING DEFINITIVE emerged on the Eagles' front from the first day of the NFL free agency "legal tampering" period, which ends Thursday, as official free agency begins that day at 4 p.m.
The Eagles' cap space figure was updated - it's officially $8,457,224, according to the NFL Players Association. The team still hasn't done anything to open up more room; de facto general manager Howie Roseman can't sign anyone before Thursday anyway, and in the meantime, he presumably is trying to trade players he will otherwise likely end up releasing, such as defensive end Connor Barwin and guard Allen Barbre.
It's also important to note that often even big-money deals are structured so that the first-year cap charge is low - last year, Washington signed corner Josh Norman at a top-of-the-market $75 million over five years, but Norman had just an $8 million 2016 cap number.
Here is a Tuesday roundup of news involving the Eagles:
KOA News Radio in Denver mentioned the Eagles as one of two teams interested in Broncos backup corner and special-teams player Kayvon Webster. This makes sense in that the Eagles desperately need corners, and Webster, 26, a third-round draft choice in 2013 from South Florida, played two seasons in Denver for current Eagles defensive backs coach Cory Undlin. The price also ought to be reasonable.
NJ.com reported that the Eagles are interested in Houston free-agent corner A.J. Bouye. He might be the highest-priced corner on the free-agent market in a tremendous draft year for corners - but Bouye, 26, also might have the most upside of any veteran corner available. Bouye will have many suitors, and the Eagles' pursuit isn't believed to be all that hot and heavy. The Houston Chronicle said offers for Bouye averaged at least $12 million a year.
Reports indicated Tampa Bay might be the most likely destination for 30-year-old ex-Eagles wideout DeSean Jackson, who probably was coming back here only if the market failed to develop. Dallas also has been mentioned as a possibility.
The Eagles are believed to be in the running for Rams free-agent wideout Kenny Britt, who has played for Eagles wide-receivers coach Mike Groh. Britt, 28, played at Rutgers and was the 30th overall selection in the 2009 draft, by the Titans. Britt caught 68 passes for 1,002 yards and five touchdowns last season. There was internet buzz about him signing with the Eagles because he was in Atlantic City on Tuesday, but Britt's agent tweeted that he was just visiting family with his wife. Britt is from Bayonne, N.J.
Torrey Smith, the 28-year-old wideout the Eagles looked into trading for last season, was officially released by the 49ers.
The Eagles are believed to be among five teams interested in the services of Cleveland free-agent wide receiver Terrelle Pryor, the former quarterback. Pryor, who turns 28 in June, was amazingly successful in his first year as a receiver, catching 77 passes for 1,007 yards.
The Eagles made official their previously reported second-round tender to restricted free-agent tight end Trey Burton. There is no word of a tender to the team's other restricted free agent, running back Kenjon Barner. Barner's agent did not return a phone call.
@LesBowen
Blog: philly.com/Eaglesblog