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Eagles reportedly to pursue Ike Taylor

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Eagles reportedly to pursue Ike Taylor

POSTED: Thursday, June 30, 2011, 8:02 AM

Much of the speculation surrounding the Eagles and their need to acquire a cornerback has centered on Nnamdi Asomugha, considered the best defensive player on the free agent market.

Adam Caplan, of FoxSports.com, writes that the Eagles are instead expected to pursue a less expensive option in Pittsburgh Steelers free agent Ike Taylor.

Writes Caplan: "According to multiple sources, the Eagles will show strong interest in Taylor once free agency starts. And with the Eagles possibly playing more zone and less man coverage in the secondary this season based on the adjustment the defensive line is expected to undergo, Taylor would fit in quite well."

Caplan rates Taylor as the 13th best defensive player available in free agency. He expects the Steelers to expect to try to keep him, along with interest from the Dallas Cowboys, Detroit Lions, Houston Texans.

Taylor, 31, is coming off a 5-year, $22.7 million deal that included a $6.4 million signing bonus. He twice restructured the deal to help the Steelers get additional cap space to sign other players in which he reduced his base salary to the near the league minimum and converted the balance into a guaranteed signing bonus.

Taylor, 6-2, 195, has not missed a game since 2005. Last season, he had 66 tackles, one sack and two interceptions.

Presumably at 31, Taylor would not be a long-term solution, but he would come much cheaper than Asomugha, if the Eagles are concerned about tying up too much money at one position, given Asante Samuel's contract.

The Eagles have high hopes for Curtis Marsh, a third-round pick this year, or second-year man Trevard Lindley to eventually be starters.

Caplan also writes the Eagles could have interest in Jacksonville linebacker Kirk Morrison, should the Jags not be able to sign him.

Daily News staff @ 8:02 AM Permalink | 52 comments

Comments (52)

0 like this / 0 don't • Posted 8:12 AM, 06/30/2011

Let us know when the NFL is ready to play, etc.

— shawnmac

0 like this / 0 don't • Posted 8:22 AM, 06/30/2011

Chances of the birds signing Taylor are not too great. They don't sign 30+ year old free agents very often. If memory serve me correctly, T.O. Is the last 30 year old free agent of significance they signed.

— phillyinATL

0 like this / 0 don't • Posted 8:23 AM, 06/30/2011

Maybe when there's a settlement my interest will return. But until then I really don't care or get excited by an Eagles or NFL talk. Especially when the Phillies have the best record in MLB and with their pitching staff just dominating teams.

— billro33

0 like this / 0 don't • Posted 10:15 AM, 06/30/2011

Your interest is high enough to read the articles and post. I don't know why people like you and Shawnmac post these things, the NFL doesn't hear you. It's all Phly.

— beerflow

Comment removed.

0 like this / 0 don't • Posted 8:43 AM, 06/30/2011

If you're going to make stupid Joe Banner comments, please at least spell nickels correctly. I'm tired of reading comments from ignorant readers that can't spell.

— jeffmd

0 like this / 0 don't • Posted 9:54 AM, 06/30/2011

Joe "Nickels" Banner. Better?

— hunglikeaton

0 like this / 0 don't • Posted 8:49 AM, 06/30/2011

I'm not interested in Taylor. Even if we go to more zone, he will be too expensive for his age. It's not clear he's an upgrade over Lindley.

— armchairGM

0 like this / 0 don't • Posted 9:00 AM, 06/30/2011

This guy is terrible

— Knowledge King

0 like this / 0 don't • Posted 11:38 PM, 06/30/2011

Oh please, he's not terrible. He is what he is...a decent, solid #2 CB. With that said, I'd rather see Nnamdi in Eagles green.

— phillychaos

0 like this / 0 don't • Posted 9:00 AM, 06/30/2011

Interesting. You hear all this talk about how aggressive the Eagles are going to be in free agency, and then they kick the tires on less expensive options. They never cease to amuse.

— dblankj