Kolb-for-Rodgers-Cromartie trade done
It's done.
Kolb-for-Rodgers-Cromartie trade done
Jeff McLane
It's done.
Finally.
The Eagles have traded quarterback Kevin Kolb to the Arizona Cardinals in exchange for cornerback Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie and a 2012 second-round draft pick, the team announced, confirming a report intially obtained by John Clayton of ESPN.
The Cardinals ponied up to get Kolb, extending his contract five years for $63 million with over $20 million guaranteed, according to Adam Caplan of FOXSports.com.
The trade ends one of the longest forecasted deals in perhaps NFL history. The two teams discussed the deal as far back as before the lockout.
The Kolb era in Philadelphia ends before it ever really got started. Selected in the second round of the 2007 draft, Kolb was finally handed the starting job last off-season after the Eagles traded away Donovan McNabb. But Kolb lost the job to Michael Vick by the third week after he suffered a concussion in the opener.
"I can't tell you I won't miss him as a person and as a player," Eagles coach Andy Reid said. "I think he's very well-deserved of this opportunity."
The addition of Rodgers-Cromartie gives the Eagles the starting right cornerback they've craved. He will be able to step in right away and line up opposite Asante Samuel. Eagles coach Andy Reid said Rodgers-Cromartie will report to Lehigh tomorrow and that he could practice by Saturday.
The Eagles have now pulled off two major deals involving quarterbacks in the last two seasons. Last year, they sent McNabb to Washington and received a 2010 second round pick and a conditional fourth round pick in 2011. The 2011 pick, after the Eagles moved down and also grabbed a 2012 pick, turned out to be linebacker Casey Matthews.
The Kolb deal took perhaps longer than some expected, but the Eagles got their man and another draft pick to play with. Kolb is also expected to help an Arizona team that went 5-11 last season after reaching the Super Bowl in 2009. Quarterback Kurt Warner retired following a Super Bowl loss and replacement Derek Anderson was not the answer.
Kolb could be the guy to get the Cardinals back over the hump. He showed flashes during seven career starts, pitching a near-perfect performance against the Falcons last season. But he went 3-4 overall as a starter and struggled at times to throw the ball downfield.
Rodgers-Cromartie is entering his fourth season in the league after being selected in the first round of the 2008 draft. He was voted to Pro Bowl in 2009 and has recorded 13 interceptions over his career.
The 25-year-old had what many considered a down season in 2010. Still, he's considered one of the fastest players in the NFL and an exceptional cover corner. His tackling is below average.
The Eagles likely now need a backup quarterback. Reid gave an endorsement for second-year quarterback Mike Kafka but said "quarterback is a position we need to take care of."
Vince Young is a possibility. The Titans released him this afternoon. The Ravens' Marc Bulger is another viable option.
FROM EARLIER:
The Kevin Kolb trade that has the Eagles backup heading to the Arizona Cardinals, and that has been incrementally moving toward finality, is expected to be completed before the end of the day, an NFL source said.
The deal, in essence, remains the same -- Kolb for cornerback Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie. Still left for discussion is the draft pick the Eagles would also get in the trade. Another element that needs to be completed before the deal goes through is a contract extension for Kolb.
Arizona and Kolb's agent Jeff Nalley are reportedly hammering out a deal now.
Kolb, of course, did not show for the Eagles' first practice of training camp. The Eagles excused his absence because the deal is near finished.
Check back with Birds' Eye View and this post all day for more updates on the Kolb trade.
Kolb has been a class act this whole time. I hope he does well in Arizona.— AbeVigoda- The best part will be when Kolb wins a Super Bowl for the Arizona Cardinals in 3 years...and the Eagles still don't have one...check another team off the list that has the trophy!— dgabs
- Oh, so now KK is good?— Joe at the shore
The hold up on this deal is Shakes Kolb and his contract demands though I can't figure that out. Everybody knows a guy with 8 starts on his resume, a sub-.500 record and a couple of 300 yard games is worth a starting CB, second round pick and 10 million a year.- a lot of people forget we need to upgrade or at least bring in competition at right tackle..I'm gettin sick of winston justice and king dunlap!!— fritz1226
- Goodbye, "Corn on the Kolb"— tralala
Comment removed.- I hate to say this, but I think we will miss Kolb once Vick is in traction.— chris_r
- Too funny, I can't WAIT to see all the Vick lovers crying when he is either arrested, arrested or well arrested within the next 6 months. Time will tell and in 5 years people are gonna be at a sports bar saying I can't believe we kept Vick and traded Kolb.— PhillyguyinVA
- .. and when do you predict you'll make a million dollars? — bm2957
- That's funny PhillguyinVA! I am willing to bet in 5 years Mike Kafka will have a better chance of being in a Pro Bowl than Kevin "Deer in the headlights" Kolb! That being said, I wish him luck! Behind that offensive line in AZ Karnac predicts at least one more concussion, with the over under @ 2.5!— antmry312
- Well once this a done deal the only thing imo left to do is sign an Olineman and were good to go.
I am personally very happy with what they have at linebacker, i feel its a lot like 2 years ago when they had all these great young WR. This group a LB will be great at some point. Wouldn't mind seeing a vet but nobody thy have to pay to much to.
As far as running back i think they are set. The two kids from pitt and Noel Devine is going to be a great third down back.
I also wouldn'tmind seeing V Young come in as a back up. Love him or hate him the guy just wins games.
I would love to see the Eagles sign Davin Jospeh or matt light. That to me would be huge. Justice doesn't guard the back side well enough. Jospeh could be brought in and put in herrimans guard position and herrimens could go out to RT which he is probably better suited for anyway.— andyreidisfat - If we get DRC, will Reid move him to TE? I heard he played the position once in a pick-up flag football game in high school.— momeara001
- Philly Mike, the only reasonable comment on here. Would be nice to get another solid O lineman in FA and a LB since ours are so young— peteike
- Help is on the way. My car is packed and on the way to Lehigh. I promise to put class back into #4.— Mike McMahon
