Philadelphia Eagles sign five players on first day of NFL free agency

The Eagles announced the moves in rapid-fire succession Tuesday evening, a little more than four hours after free agency kicked off. They signed defensive lineman Isaac Sopoaga, safety Patrick Chung, and tight end James Casey to three-year contracts and cornerback Bradley Fletcher and linebacker Jason Phillips to two-year deals.

Although they had more than $44 million in salary-cap space after they released cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha on Tuesday, the Eagles sat on the sideline in the early going and let others fight it out for some of the big-name free agents.

Typically, second- and third-tier players are not signed until later in the process after the market is set. But general manager Howie Roseman and coach Chip Kelly apparently targeted specific players and wasted no time getting them under contract.

Each will be brought in to compete for a starting spot or playing time. Sopoaga (6-foot-2, 330-pounds) played mostly nose tackle in eight seasons for San Francisco. The 31-year-old will likely spar with Antonio Dixon for that spot as the Eagles switch to a defensive scheme that employs elements of a 3-4 front.

Chung, a second-round draft pick in 2009, played the last four seasons for the New England Patriots but has been limited by injuries in recent seasons. He will be 26 by next season. Chung has 30 starts, seven interceptions, three sacks, and 19 passes defended in his career.

Safety has been a weak spot for the Eagles defense for years. Nate Allen and Kurt Coleman struggled there last season and could be brought back to compete for roster spots. More competition could be brought in.

The Eagles targeted Casey early in the offseason. He played a variety of roles for the Houston Texans over four seasons and will likely be utilized that way as Kelly phases out the fullback. Casey, 28, caught 34 passes for 330 yards and three touchdowns last season.

He joins a tight end corps that already features Brent Celek and Clay Harbor.

Fletcher started 26 games over four seasons for the St. Louis Rams. He was a starter for 15 games in 2010 but started only four last season. He has good size (6-0, 200), and will try to replace Asomugha or Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, who became a free agent.

More than likely, Fletcher will provide depth. Phillips (6-1, 240) has spent time with the Baltimore Ravens and Carolina Panthers and will be expected to help on special teams.

The Eagles reportedly are scheduled to bring the 49ers' Ricky Jean-Francois in for a visit this week. The 6-3, 295-pound defensive lineman could split time with Cedric Thornton at the five-technique defensive end (one who lines up on the outside shoulder of the offensive tackle) that coordinator Bill Davis is expected to employ in his hybrid defense.

Despite a number of blockbuster signings, some notable names are still left in free agency. San Francisco safety Dashon Goldson and Dolphins cornerback Sean Smith - two players the Eagles were rumored to have on their radar - were available.

But the Eagles were not interested in acquiring either, according to NFL sources. Several other free-agent safeties had visits lined up: Houston's Glover Quin was slated to visit with Detroit, the Lions' Louis Delmas with the Rams, and the New York Jets' LaRon Landry with the Colts.

Not many cornerbacks were signed. Atlanta's Brent Grimes, New England's Aqib Talib, Pittsburgh's Keenan Lewis, Jacksonville's Derek Cox, and Rodgers-Cromartie were still available.

The Eagles made overtures to the Jets about trading for cornerback Darrelle Revis, according to league sources, but they took themselves out of the running for one of the best defensive players in the NFL. Indications were that Revis was headed to Tampa Bay for several draft picks.

The Eagles passed on the top free-agent pass rusher. The Cleveland Browns worked out a five-year, $40 million deal with Ravens outside linebacker Paul Kruger. Baltimore inside linebacker Dannell Ellerbe surprised many and signed a five-year, $36 million contract with the Dolphins.

On offense, the Eagles expressed interest in Dolphins tackle Jake Long, according to an NFL source, but landing the four-time Pro Bowler was considered a long shot.

Miami also bagged Steelers wide receiver Mike Wallace, giving him a $60 million, five-year contract. The Dolphins' haul Tuesday drew comparisons to the Eagles when they signed Asomugha and a number of other free agents in 2011.

Many of those deals blew up in the Eagles' faces as the team struggled over the next two seasons. Roseman and Kelly are obviously taking a more conservative approach and should have the expected grace period to rebuild with minor free-agent additions and through the draft.

Contact Jeff McLane at jmclane@phillynews.com. Follow on Twitter @Jeff_McLane.