Posted: Wednesday, January 18, 2012, 12:06 PM | 37 comments |
 

Eagles work out Trent Edwards
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The Eagles worked out quarterback Trent Edwards earlier this week, according to an NFL source. (Stephan Savoia/AP file photo)

Whom would you rather have as the Eagles’ backup quarterback next season?
Trent Edwards
Kyle Orton
Vince Young
Mike Kafka
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The Eagles worked out quarterback Trent Edwards earlier this week, an NFL source said.

Because Edwards wasn't on an NFL roster at the end of the season he is permitted to sign with any team right now. The new league year -- and subsequently the start of free agency -- doesn't officially begin until March 13.

The Eagles don't plan on signing Edwards any time soon and were merely kicking the tires on the 29-year old, according to a team source, but they have always been high on the former Bills quarterback. He would fill the team's apparent need for a backup quarterback.

Vince Young, who filled that role last season, will also be a free agent. Young is likely in pursuit of a starting job but it is unlikely he'll be signed as one after a mixed bag of a season which was more bad than good.

The Eagles could wish to bring Young back as their No. 2 quarterback and chalk up last season's woes to the shortened off-season. The free agent market for backups is thin. Jason Campbell and Kyle Orton could be available, but they, too, may be seeking starting jobs.

Edwards, 6-foot-4, 230 pounds,  has experience as a starter. He started in 32 games for the Bills from 2007-10, compiling a 14-18 record. He hasn't always been supplied with the best receivers and offensive lines, though. In 2008, he completed 66 percent of his passes, tossed 11 touchdowns against 10 interceptions and finished with a 85.4 passer rating after 14 starts.

He hasn't played in the NFL since 2010, though. He with the Raiders during the preseason last year but failed to make the team and spent 2011 on the street. His last appearance -- and start -- was for the Jaguars in final game of the 2010 season.

With Michael Vick injury prone, the Eagles will need a competent backup. They still have Mike Kafka, but the third-year quarterback could not supplant Young, who went 1-2 in place of Vick and threw nine interceptions in 114 pass attempts.

Vick, who will be 32 in June, has missed six games and did not finish three others because of injury over the last two seasons.
Posted by Jeff McLane @ 12:06 PM  Permalink | 37 comments
37
Comments   
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 12:15 PM, 01/18/2012
    If Egs can't get up to draft RG III, Campbell nex best backup to Mike.
    — Tyrone7
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 12:32 PM, 01/18/2012
    I agree that Jason Campbell would be a viable backup to The Mike Vick Experience! But let's see where Mourningweigh and Spags ends up first. That's MORE important!
    — Panthro2011
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 12:34 PM, 01/18/2012
    I'd take a run at Matt Flynn from Green Bay. They would want a ton for him and he obviously benefited from some incredible talent and coaching, but as a backup for 2012 and a starter in 2013 he may be the best choice. Make a phone call anyway. He's not playing anytime soon in GB, that's for sure.
    — scootch
  • Comment removed.
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 12:40 PM, 01/18/2012
    "he spent 2011 on the street" ???? Give this guy a job doing something!! I know he didn't have the greatest success in Buffalo but homeless? Maybe he's a bad gambler? Or a drug addict?
    — FetchDixon
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 12:42 PM, 01/18/2012
    Working out washed up QBs when there is no viable defensive coordinator on the team and the guy you should sign is talking to the Saints, while your offensive coordinator is interviewing for head coaching jobs. I'd say that pretty much qualifies as "fiddling while Rome burns"...
    — topwonk
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 1:00 PM, 01/18/2012
    "IN YOUR DREAMS"
    — losteagle
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 1:26 PM, 01/18/2012
    vince young shouldnt be in nfl
    — warbiscuit
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 1:41 PM, 01/18/2012
    6'4 - 220? Sign him!!!!
    — With all this talent who needs a real defensive coordinator 2011
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 2:04 PM, 01/18/2012
    Isn't this like throwing a bucket of water on a burning house?
    — Citizenc92
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 2:11 PM, 01/18/2012
    Woe is me, what a year, just sayin'...
    — DJ
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 2:11 PM, 01/18/2012
    "...the third-year quarterback (Kafka) could not supplant Young..." More like Reid couldn't admit that he messed up royally by signing Young and wouldn't let Kafka get the chance to prove he's better (or maybe worse). More proof of Reid's love affair with the black quarterback!
    — gdibig
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 10:38 AM, 01/19/2012
    Your claim is ridiculous. Would you claim that Reid has a "love affair with white qb's" if he started nothing but white qb's? It's obvious that Reid prefers experienced backups no matter what the color. example: Jeff Garcia, Mike McMahon, Koy Detmer, AJ Feely. In fact, Kolb was the designated starter until Vick outplayed him.
    — qoolskip
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 2:35 PM, 01/18/2012
    I'd be happy with either Edwards or Jason Campbell at backup. I think both QBs have the skill and experience to come in and win a few games if they pick up the system quickly enough.

    Since the Eagles don't give their backup QBs much practice time, I'd err on the side of the veteran QB who may already have already spent time in a similar system.
    — bc3030
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 2:38 PM, 01/18/2012
    Trent Edwards?! And we all thought Vince Young was bad? This guy makes Blaine Gabbert look like Joe Montana.
    — PinkstonsStrengthCoach


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About Jeff McLane and Jonathan Tamari






Jeff McLane (left) began covering the Eagles in April 2009 after covering college sports and Penn State football in particular. Before that he wrote about high school sports and before that he worked in the mailroom (not quite). Find Jeff on Facebook and follow him on Twitter for instant updates on the Eagles.

Jonathan Tamari (right) began covering the Eagles in April 2010. He previously covered New Jersey state government and politics, reporting and writing about elections, policy debates and the many personalities that drive the Garden State, from three recent governors to the many musicians bidding to write the state song. He has been at the Inquirer since June 2008. Follow him on Twitter at @JonathanTamari.

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