Barwin caps big Birds day
The Eagles have added former Ravens corner Cary Williams (three-year deal), and ex-Giants safety Kenny Phillips (one-year deal).
Barwin caps big Birds day
Les Bowen
The signing Thursday evening of former Texans outside linebacker Connor Barwin capped a hectic afternoon of signings for the Eagles, and might have marked their final significant foray into 2013 free agency.
General manager Howie Roseman talked to reporters minutes after Barwin became the team's eighth free agent signee, seven of them on defense. (Tight end James Casey, also from the Texans, is the lone exception). A source close to the situation said Barwin, 26, 6-4, 268, is guaranteed $8 million for the first two years. If he's here three years, he gets $13.5 million, $36 million if he plays the entire six-year contract.
"You're talking about a guy who has dropped in coverage, he'll set the edge and he's able to play standing up (in a 3-4) or with his hand down. "This is a guy who plays with his hair on fire. He has the characteristics we look for in a defensive player."
Barwin had 11.5 sacks in 2011, only 3 last season. Roseman said the Texans used him differently, accounting for much of the difference.
Just as the Eagles prepared to introduce safety Patrick Chung and corner Bradley Fletcher to reporters Thursday, the team announced the signings of another corner and safety who might make this quartet the new starting secondary.
Former Ravens corner Cary Williams signed a three-year deal said to be worth $17 million, and ex-Giants safety Kenny Phillips, a star who has struggled with injuries, signed a one-year contract for an undisclosed sum, which means it wasn't a lot.
The Eagles clearly see Williams and Fletcher as their starting corners this season, and if Phillips is healthy, it's pretty likely he and Chung are the safeties.
The Eagles also have added a nose tackle in Isaac Sopoaga, and a reserve linebacker in Jason Phillips.
Love it!!! - keep the additions rolling!— 14 years of
Kenny Phillips, a star who has struggled with injuries, signed a one-year contract.
shocker, the eagles signed a guy with a history of injuries. guess it's cheaper that way— hannibal barca- Keep the faith hannibal. I think Chipper and Skipper Gamble know what they are doing. This new Patrick Chung, Bradley Fletcher secondary is exactly what the Eagles need to finish this season 1 - 15 and solidify the #1 pick in the 2014 draft. Welcome to Philly Johnny Football!!! — BP2
- ha...BP2, what if they draft geno smith this year? Lurie is a big fan of the kid — hannibal barca
- hannibal, I'm willing to give Chipper and Skipper Gamble the benefit of the doubt. Lets see what they do next month at the draft. By the way it seems that Smith had a very impressive Pro day today and there is talk about the Jags taking him with the second overall pick next month. — BP2
- PLEASE Draft Dee Milner at #4. If not, draft a stud offensive lineman...— flyersjoe
- They will draft eiter millner or the de from oregon— ite483
- Not great but functional which is 400 steps ahead of where they were last year. Eagles will be bad next year but at least you can begin to see logic creeping back into Eagleland.— zonaindie2
- Hope Williams can play as well as he can act like a clown...should have gotten tossed early in the Super Bowl for shoving an official and was mouthing and showboating the rest of the time!
A healthy Phillips is intriguing...healthy being the operative word.— Colonel Angus - I like the Phillips signing, big if to stay healthy but he could ball when he played. Worth it and for a 1 yr contract its no risk really, we know you cant help yourself barca, always finding the silver lining I see. I think the other day when you said you didnt mind their approach, it was the first time I read anything you wrote that wasnt completely sarcastic and negative. Now they will prob draft oline or dline/lb at 4. Heres to hoping they trade back for some desperate team wanting Geno.— peteike
- Can someone tell me why they have not shown much interest in Erik Winston who is in the right age category and has an excellent reputation for good play.— hankhammer2
- They may be waiting to see if an acceptable market for Vollmer develops. Either would be nice.
— oldfriar - Or they might be confident that they can land Joekel, Fischer in the draft. If they sign Vollmer or Winston, unless they're in love with Milliner (would be my preference) or Jordan at 4 they should trade down. — oldfriar
- Way to go...Sign an injury prone Giants DB. Glad he is gone so he can continue to be injured for you! Good luck losers!— MRD
- The moronic troll arrives! — DogBiscuitthedope
