Patterson Release Follows Jenkins
After Evan Mathis, Cullen Jenkins was probably the best free agent move the Eagles made in their disastrous post lockout spending spree in 2011.
Patterson Release Follows Jenkins
Les Bowen
The reworking of the Eagles into a 3-4 defensive front moved into high gear Monday when the team released Mike Patterson, a source close to the situation told the Daily News, hours after releasing another veteran defensive tackle, Cullen Jenkins.
Patterson, who turns 30 in September, was the Eagles' first-round draft choice, 31st overall, in 2005, and played in 115 games over eight seasons, starting 99 of them. But at 6-1, 300, Patterson fit the smaller, quicker template the Eagles used for defensive linemen under Andy Reid. A 3-4 requires a space-eater nose tackle, flanked by ends big enough tio hold off blockers and set the edge, so mobile linebackers can make tackles.
Patterson's release was not unexpected. Jenkins' even less so.
Patterson's agent, Peter Schaffer, said Patterson leaves with "no hard feelings."
"Mike is completely appreciative of the opportunity of being an Eagle and thanks the organization and fans," Schaffer said. "He understands the business side of football. Mike feels better than he has in three years, and looks forward to playing many more games in the NFL."
Patterson was a solid, relaible starter for most of his tenure, but his career took a detour when he collapsed at training camp in August 2011. He was found to have a tangle of blood vessels in his brain that required surgery after the 2011 season, and Patterson couldn't get the medical OK to play again until after midseason 2012. Patterson eventually appeared in five Eagles games, as the team stumbled to 4-12.
Given his age, the change to 3-4, and his inability to put up numbers in 2012 because of the surgery, Patterson seemed a likely target for release. He was scheduled to make $4 million this season. There is no cap hit for releasing him, according to Eaglescap.com
After Evan Mathis, Jenkins was probably the best free agent move the Eagles made in their disastrous post lockout spending spree in 2011. But Jenkins was 30 when he arrived, and though the 6-2, 305-pound defensive tackle added leadership and accountability to a struggling defense, he was never a long-term solution. When the Eagles went 4-12 last season and Andy Reid was fired, it seemed likely Jenkins wouldn't be back.
Sure enough, the Eagles announced Monday they'd released Jenkins, a nine-year vet who notched 9.5 sacks in his two seasons here. He was due to make $5.5 million in 2013. The Eagles apparently take a $1.5 million cap hit for releasing him, but obviously, that's a savings of $4 million, and the $1.5 they have to pay him will be offset by whatever he might get from another team. (That won't affect the cap charge.)
Indications are the team did not offer to keep Jenkins at a lower figure, as it seems to be trying to do with corner Nnamdi Asomugha. The Eagles owe Asomugha a lot more money -- $4 million if he's released -- and Asomugha plays a position where it is tougher to find replacements.
With the Eagles presumably moving to a 3-4 base, it's unclear how Jenkins would fit in, though he played in that setup as a younger man in Green Bay.
General manager Howie Roseman said in a statement released by the Eagles that he spoke with Jenkins today to tell him of the decision. Roseman said Jenkins "has been a very productive player in the league for a long time, but we felt it was in our team's best interests that we go in a different direction."
Roseman said releasing Jenkins now gives him more time to sign with another team.
"Thank you Eagles for everything the last 2 years," Jenkins tweeted. "Thank you fans. Sorry we didn't accomplish anything, but thank you all. Best wishes ... let's see where the next chapter takes us."
It's a good draft for defensive linemen, plus there's free agency starting March 12. D-line might be the place where Chip Kelly's template is most different from what the Eagles stockpiled under Andy Reid. Who else could leave? Darryl Tapp and Derek Landri are pending unrestricted free agents. They won't be back. Hard to see how Phillip Hunt plays in a 3-4, unless he can drop into coverage as a linebacker.
Who's sure to stay? Fletcher Cox. Trent Cole. Brandon Graham. Vinny Curry, because he was a second-round pick last year. Cedric Thornton, probably. Antonio Dixon at nose tackle. And that might be it.
I'm just happy that finally after 14 fricking years, we might not have to boo one of Andy's stupid draft picks!! god it's going to be a great year. Not have to look at Andy in his stupid hawaiian shirt anymore! Let's hope Kelly doesn't let Howie get in the way. I think we finally may have a coach who can judge good college talent. Plain and simple— kchaz- No kidding, especially in the early rounds. They've got so many needs, how about 'best player available'? Looked like they did that last year, and they may have some players out of it. Like I said below, bet they come out of this draft and/or FA with a couple of linebackers that can play. If they do, I'll be a bit more encouraged. — pfes
- "sorry we didnt' accomplish anything..." hahahaha— jbruder02
- Here's what I hope - the Eagles, seeing that there isn't an obvious choice at QB for Kelly to groom from Day 1, they set out to concentrate on remaking the defense tough, stingy and the tone-setter for the team. Emphasize the pass rush (betcha we see some quality additions to linebacker this year either draft or FA) which would then make the secondary look so much better (sheesh, how could they be worse????).
Then, with the defense hopefully setting the tone and keeping them in games, Kelly can mess with the offense, getting his plan in place while still hopefully winning some games. When 2013-14 is over, he has an idea if the QB is on the roster or if they go all out next year to get that guy on the squad. Even if he has a QB in the draft he's gunning for, it'll still take most of this year to get the offense cooking.
Just an optimistic viewpoint.— pfes - The off-season is looking every bit as ugly as the season...god bless us all...— bigdaddyG
- Now if only we can get Manti!!!!— ricciaje
- Why DO I KEEP HEARING PEOPLE suggest that the Eagles might take Star Loutelei with the 4th overall pick. Doesnt anyone read any articles expcept this site. The guy only has one half of his heart working properly. Dont you think that might be important for 350lb NFL athlete?? The guy will be lucky if he plays Football EVER again!!!— Over_Exposed
- What are you talking about lol...of course I know he had the heart problem but they havent released anything abuot it being even remotely serious yet. Another guy had possibly the exact same thing last year, Frank Alexander, who missed the combine and still got drafted in the middle rounds like he was supposed to and is totally fine to play football. Its like when they drum up some news story about some minor ailment, until something is released that he has a serious problem, odds are its almost inconsequential. Another guy has "spinal stenosis" and is expected to be a top 10 pick as well. So until proven otherwise, right now, Star Lotuleli is one of the top DT's in this draft, so until there is a medical apocalpoyse proclaiming him near death, I am going to keep there. He might drop a little because of it, but odds are its not serious and wont matter much at all.
- Never thought I'd ever agree with CG25, but in this case he's absolutely right. I just say "ditto" to everything he said. Star may not be the guy we end up taking, but your comment is hyperbolic and hyper-ventilating.
— oldfriar - Half of a heart would be an upgrade over last years squad — Eddie Spaghetti
- comment of the year, Eddie. excellent and so true. — coloradoeagle
- This is a recent development. He still has to undergo more test to corroborate the initial assessment. And, prior to their selection you can bet the Eagles, or any other team, is going to give him yet another thorough cardiac evaluation and another series of test. Nobody wants to get burnt. Chill. Reid, the Great Rehabilitator, is no longer here to draft the sick, the infirmed, and the previously injured. — essell
- When Cullen Jenkins got up in Andy Reid's face on the sideline I knew the season was lost.— The One Who Knows
- except Star is going to drop big time from that heart condition. Kind of sad really, a guys dream and this kind of medical info is released, what terrible timing. Unless it saves his life in the long run of course. Heart damage is sure to scare some teams away I would imagine, if not most.— peteike
- Actually, moving Asumwhatever to safety may make sense. He is losing speed, but for a safety you do not need to be a burner. Unlike DRC...doesn't really care.....Asum will hit people. As for MS saying they don't know what they are doing....pray tell, what do you think they should do...I know, trade for Ricky Williams and ask Buddy "never won anything here" Ryan to be the coach. If the Eagles were undefeated, won every game by a shutout, won the Superbowl 42-0, there would still be Philly "fans" who would think they know how to do it better than anybody. Enjoy the show....that is what it is, a show.— Bob K
