Eagles tackle transformation
ESPN says a deal for Jason Peters is essentially done.
Eagles tackle transformation
Rich Hofmann, Daily News Sports Columnist
Breaking news, apparently: ESPN is reporting -- and Paul Domowitch has confirmed -- that the Eagles essentially have completed a deal to bring Pro Bowl tackle Jason Peters to Philadelphia.
They describe it as an "agreement in principle." The Eagles would give up the 28th pick in the first round, plus a fourth-rounder and an undisclosed pick in 2010.
The report is that Peters is on the way to Philadelphia, and that there is talk he would need to pass a physical and maybe work out a contract extension.
This is enormous. That is likely takes the Eagles out of the Anquan Boldin sweepstakes will be an interesting side note -- they really do have better things to do with the 21st pick. But it would signal again what we knew all along: that this team builds from the lines out, and that it felt it needed a complete overhaul at offensive tackle, and this will have accomplished it. Peters on the left and Stacy Andrews on the right has a chance to be a giant improvement.
They will have accomplished a generational shift along their line in the blink of an eye. There is nothing worse than having to watch a kid left tackle struggle through the growing pains -- and the Eagles have avoided that. There is nothing more worrisome than watching a team plug one hole by weakening itself at two spots -- and the Eagles have just avoided that, too, because now there is no reason to shift right guard Shawn Andrews over to left tackle.
There is no way to hide a problem at left tackle. There is no way in the NFL to paper over troubles in that particular position. It is why so few good veteran left tackles shake loose. That Peters did -- because of his adamant insistence on a new contract from the Bills, following a long and loud holdout last summer -- is the Eagles' good fortune.
Anybody who says they don't like this does not watch the sport.
A running back in the first or second round and we will be in good shape.— ronre- I like the move. I was really getting nervous that they would trade up to take an O lineman. I still see them moving in the draft to get what they want, even if it is down. Not that I like the idea. But with so many teams rumored to be wanting out of the top ten it'll be interesting sice we have gobs of money.— SBL Hostage
- Great move by the Birds - their off-season signings have been quietly impressive = Andrews, Weaver and now Peters. Now a RB or TE with #21 next weekend.— Pennyworth
- I would still give up my other 1st round pick for Boldin - basically trading two possible draft busts for two pro bowl players at areas of need. I agree that OT was much more important than WR though.— bsaw
- I think you have said it all. Now, let's get a running back to give Westy some breathing room and add a few skill players.
- GREAT MOVE!!! Now we can forget all this Boldin nonsense and pick up a couple of good running backs in the draft and we're all set. Go Birds!!— craig123
- outstanding! give us Moreno or Donald Brown at 21 and I'll be even happier!— spadty
- I have to agree. There's no way a sane birds' fan can dislike this. Now, what about 21? Don't be surprised if they trade down now. It's Banner's M.O. An RB would be the move with that pick.— wingnut12
Comment removed.- Forget the RB/WR in the 1st round...we know they don't do that.( although Hakeem Nicks would be Boldin-like ) They will take a DB or DE, I gurantee it. 2 names at end- Michael Johnson and Larry English , and at DB -Sean Smith and Louis Delmas. I will be very surprised if they do anything other than DE,DB with the first two picks. Then maybe a RB like Javon Ringer ( Westy clone )in the 3rd and a TE in the 5th. OL and LB depth after that, maybe someone with KR potential.— cdedrick05
- Comment removed.
- This was the deal I hoped would be made. With 2 legit OL pro bowlers, the birds now have offensive flexibility they never had before. They can now sit at 21 and let the draft come to them. NOW....they can do just about anything they want because they still have 10 picks in a deep draft.— baldeagle1955
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- Take the center from Cal (Mack) and we have a potential pro bowler at every OL position for the foreseeable future, with depth to cover injuries. I wouldn't mind repeating last year's first round, trading #21 for someone's future #1 and their second this year, then we should be able to get MAck.— Reddgie Noble
- I agree with BSaw: if it takes a first this year and some later round pick (that would probably be spent on someone who may not even make the team), then you get Boldin and then #5 can't say anything about the management not making moves for now. Use the rest of this years picks for depth and the future.— Reddgie Noble
