Eagles free agency buzz
Philly.com, Inquirer, and Daily News coverage of the Eagles
Eagles free agency buzz
Sheil Kapadia, Philly.com
The market will begin to take shape this afternoon as free agency kicks off at 4 p.m.
Here's a roundup of the latest news and rumors, many of which could affect the Birds. And be sure to check out our Eagles section for content from today's papers.
Pete Prisco of CBSSports.com Tweets that he's hearing Dan Connor to the Eagles will get done. As I mentioned yesterday, based on his body of work, Connor is not a three-down player. If he's the Eagles' primary target, it would indicate they might go with a linebacker-by-committee approach once again, with Connor playing early downs and guys like Casey Matthews and Keenan Clayton getting on the field in passing situations.
Meanwhile, even though the Lions cleared some cap space yesterday, it appears that Stephen Tulloch is going to test the free-agent market.
"I let my agent really handle that stuff, but obviously, the Lions do want me back, and I would love to come back," Tulloch said during a Sirius XM radio interview yesterday, per the Detroit Free Press. "But at this point in my career, things have to be right. My family and my situation going on, I just want to continue to play football and get what I deserve, and that’s what it boils down to. And hopefully, things can work out there. If not, I know another team will step in there and do what’s right and move forward to win some ballgames."
Justin Rogers of MLive.com explains why Tulloch is looking to cash in. He might be the Eagles' best option to upgrade at linebacker, but it sure sounds like Tulloch is going to demand a big paycheck.
As for their own free agents, the Eagles tendered Antonio Dixon at a second-round level yesterday. In 2010, Dixon was the Eagles' best run-stuffing defensive tackle and probably their second-best overall lineman. He didn't stand out in limited action last year before suffering a season-ending injury. It'll be interesting to see how he fits into the team's plans going forward. I'm still not ready to rule out defensive tackle as a possibility - either in free agency or early in the draft.
Mario Williams is the crown jewel on defense of this free-agent class. According to John "Moon" Mullin of CSN Chicago, the Bears are the favorites to land Williams and will look to team him up with Julius Peppers on the defensive line. Of course, the rumors will fly today, and Danny O'Neil of The Seattle Times says there's a "strong buzz" that the Seahawks are going to pursue Williams aggressively.
ESPN's Adam Schefter, meanwhile, mentioned several teams, including the Eagles, when discussing Williams on SportsCenter Tuesday morning.
"Another deal that will happen quickly is Mario Williams, the former Houston Texans defensive end and linebacker, the top defensive free agent on the market," Schefter said. "His deal is expected to come in around $15 million per year. You hear about the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. You hear about the Philadelphia Eagles. You hear about the Chicago Bears. Lots of interest..."
To be clear, Schefter didn't sound like he was going on anything concrete. Perhaps he was just making the point that Williams could help any number of teams, but he did mention the Eagles.
The Peyton Manning situation seems to be developing on an hourly basis. He met with Dolphins coach Joe Philbin, according to ESPN's Chris Mortensen. The Titans and possibly the Texans could be next, per reports. And Randy Moss has agreed to a one-year deal with the 49ers.
In a surprise move, the Texans cut right tackle Eric Winston yesterday for salary cap reasons. Winston, who had started 87 consecutive games for Houston and is only 28 years old, figures to have his share of suitors on the open market.
As the Saints await word on penalties relating to the league's bounty investigation, they are apparently working hard to keep some of their own players. A league source tells Pro Football Talk that New Orleans is working "feverishly" to bring back wide receiver Marques Colston. I wrote a piece for SI.com looking at the WR market and explaining why Colston would be wise to stick with Drew Brees and the Saints if the price is right.
Meanwhile, guard Carl Nicks Tweeted that the Saints have made him a "respectable" offer, and he is deciding what to do.
Finally, a programming note. Because of a death in the family, I'll be out of town for the next 24 to 48 hours. I may post here and there, but will not be providing constant free agency updates, so be sure to check out our Eagles section for the latest.
You can follow me on Twitter or become a fan of Moving the Chains on Facebook.
Hope everything is okay in the family Sheil. The Eagles need to go after Lofton or Tulloch. Conner is just an average LB who can't stay healthy. He is an upgrade over what we have now but not by much. I will be very dissapointed if the Eagles just settle with Connor and dont get a big name LB or someone like a London Fletcher who is 37 but is a tackling machine. I can see Mario Williams becoming an Eagle but the Eagles are going to have to pay up for his services. I would like to see us get LaRon Landry and Plaxico Burress for redzone help.— briandawkins20
Dan COnnor! Another marginal backup player! The guy was a backup on an awful defense, how does this make them better?! It's not like they're strapped for cash. Andy and the FO are the worst. This team will NEVER win with this group of geniuses at the helm. This is Just like they were 'good' at WR in McNabb's prime, never signing a big name receiver even though they were the class of the NFC for years! And what happened when they finally did? They wasted 2 years b/c they thought they were smarter than everyone. Their arrogance is offensive to us fans. I'm so sick of this. I can't wait until they fail this season and everyone gets fired, this is a joke.— sore richard- If healthy,Dan Connor can play...This will be his second season back after a major procedure done to his knee...As far as being a backup, I believe Evan Mathis and Derek Landri were also backups with that team, yet they had plenty of good football in them,correct?...That being said, the Birds best be sure about Connor's health in lieu of Marlon Jackson,Steve Smith, and Ryan Harris....Depth signing. — bearsfriend
- Sign Dixon & Landri and they'll still take a DT at 15 in the 1st round. In 3 years all of the "intelligent season ticket holders" will call him a bust, when he only plays 10 plays a game.— FABER
- I will wait to see what happens. Most of these analysts pretend to know what's going on...and nothing more. But if they don't upgrade the LB position, the one EVERYONE knows is their weak point, I will be upset as well. Maybe Kueckly is their guy and have plans to move up in the draft to get him. Who knows.— beegal99
- Sorry to hear of your loss Sheil. I can see Tulloch coming to Philly seeing that we already run a wide-9 scheme and Washburn is here. That would be a win now and win later move for us.— NC Eagle Fan
- The best way to fix the linebackers is to get a 3-down linebacker to play in the middle. If this fails with doing linebacker by committee, they have no excuse. How embarrasing is it that the media and fans say this needs to be done then at the end of the year they are right? You would think the approach would change.......— quentin1978
- Conners athleticism isn't great (by NFL standards) but he's smart and consistent and has sound technique. Oh BTW - when people write "he's instinctive" I think it meams he's smart; but, decades ago some coach didn't want his ave IQ guys to feel stupid so he called smart players "instinctive" and this became common jargon. I'm certain that their are few (none?) instinctive behaviors that help on the football field. Example: It goes against instinct for 190 pound Kurt Coleman to plow into a 240 pound RB. Right?— Warhound
- Mark Simoneau anyone? Remember when he was going to be Trots Replacment? LOl. Sheil take care of the fam.— dmanphilly
- "they might go with a linebacker-by-committee approach once again". Yeah...that has worked out so well for them in the past. /facepalm
Insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results. - Joe "Nickels" Banner.— Only in Philly... - Sounds more and more like the Andy Reid era is coming to a close. If the Eagles stand pat, I really can't see a marked improvement from last year's team. BTW, if the Bears land Williams, that D might set an NFL record for sacks in a season.— ESFjellin
- Does the FAT MAN even want to save his pathetic Job!! Undersized "Speedballs" for THE GOLD STANDARD of franchises!!!!— citysims
- Connor wold mean we expect great strides from Matthews, Rolle and Clayton. Rolle and Clayton maybe. Matthews forget it.— oldBird
- Sheil take care of the family and yourself. There will be many opportunities to chronicle the Birds.— oldBird
- The Birds still need a viable corner to cover in the slot...— bearsfriend
Follow
Sheil on Twitter. And become
a fan of Moving the Chains on Facebook.
Download our NEW iPhone/Android app for even more Birds
coverage, including app-exclusive videos and analysis. Download it here.
