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.
Comments (38)
Torrey Holt is still out there and we don't even have to give up a draft choice(great receiver)— garyp
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- I want them to trade the pick for Boldin, If not, pick a top DB or WR. Second round get an RB. If we get a #1 WR then SB here we come. Otherwise, we still may get there but it will be somewhat of a struggle. Dont forget, Mcnabb still has to stay healthy which is never set in stone.— maximus
- (A. Reid): uh-hum, uh-hum, I need to get better. We'll look at that. DRAFT DAY— whatthe?
- this is a tremendous move. better than anything they could have picked up in the draft. why doesn't anyone mention picking up the OSU RB (wells) at 21? he seems like a great fit...i agree if they don't go after a top RB now that Buck is gone, it is just foolish. Bring on the draft!!— djack10
- I think Reddgie (4:37pm) is on Andy's wavelength, but I'd like to see a RB or TE, though Mr. Noble's idea/projection to the future would be more than fine with me :-) Pennyworth is correct--quite but effective off season moves . . . Go Eeeeegz!— petergou
- Watch the Eeegz drop down in the first round, pick up Brown at RB and another 2nd or 3rd rounder . . . wouldn't put it past Andy . . . did someone say something about drafting a center (Mack?) late in the first round?— petergou
A signed, sealed, and delivered 27 Year Old Pro Bowl Tackle on the Left Side! - Even the most negative Birds Fan (you know who you are) out there can't be angry. And the price for him doesn't leave the team without full ammunition to still have a great draft.- Ron Solt?? What about Jon Runyan. Gburgrunr, you must be kidding.— pigsofsunday
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- moreno and a tight end and a safety.....and we will look good.....hard to believe they did this.,....what is the pick we gave up next year...— nuggett
Gburgrunr, LT is the one position you can't trust to a rookie or unproven commodity. Now after listening to people complain the Eagles are cheap you are complaining they shouldn't pay for an All-PRO LT? Are the Eagles broke now? Not even close. They have enough $$ and enough picks to do whatever they want. The skill positions are still coming. Relax. And why compare this trade to any other trade? Who cares about Ron Solt. Take this one at face value. It's a good move.— tpizza- Alright now lets get ready to start trading the late round picks for higher ones. GO Birds!!— redden24
- I would trade every draft pick possible since this franchise swings-and-misses so much---and then continues to avoid accepting the mistakes while spending years on how great "freddie mitchell" is...— kort99
- Great move. Now get a stud center and the O- Line will be one of the best in the league. With our 4 5th rounders, we can get back into the 4th round. Go rb, te, wr in rounds 2-4 and then get some depth on 'D' in the 5th-7th rounds.— christopherkmaddaloni
- At the same time this helps the Eagles, it makes the current Bills offense worse. Poor TO. How is he going to get a big contract again?— mikemaddog
- Rich, I know the sport pretty well, a hell of a lot better than you if you think this is genius. This move does not bring a championship closer for them. When was the last time the Eagles successfully traded for a lineman who panned out...I see the ghost of RON SOLT appearing soon. Remember him and how highly touted he was and how much we gave up to get him? Did that take the Birds to a championship? The Eagles have a plethora of offensive lineman on their current roster and how many quality WR's and other skill players on offense. This speaks to Reid's inability to draft if none of the dozens of guys he's brought in on the O-Line can't fit the bill. Does a worn-down Westbrook, Curtis, Jackson and Celek strike fear into the hearts of defensive coordinators in November and December? No! PLEASE WAKE UP! The other "maddening" part of this is that they are going to have to redo Peters contract and unload a ton of money on this guy. Money that could, once again, be used to improve other need positions on the team. You are going to make him one of the highest-paid lineman in the league and use him to pass block 70%-80% of the time? Wow, way to manage your salary cap. If this meant a MORE DEDICATED APPROACH TO RUNNING THE FOOTBALL, I could see that but we all know the likelihood of that is about as good as Reid giving a substantial answer during a press conference.— Gburgrunr
- dutchman, you are indeed the village idiot. Trade McNabb? and who plays the position? Bozo? Oh yea, that would be you !!!— Philbert
- We still need that impact WR. Westbrook has a few good years - and a lot of good RB's come late in the draft. With that new O line I could probably run for 1000. D Mac still needs a guy he can depand on a a guy that makes defnces play the pass honest......we do not have that guy but Boldin is him!— jakster
- Is there a team with a better offensive line than the Eagles? If I were a running back or receiver, I'd be praying that I'd end up an Eagle. They don't need Boldin. They NEED a running back. They are dead if Westbrook goes down without bringing someone in.— MikeP
- Trade mcNabb for 2 first roud picks, trade for Boldin,draft pettigew for TE, and grab a running back.— dutchman
- FOR SALE - Winston Justice Jersey #74 $39.99. Owned in one game, burned 6 times.— vegasflyer
- 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
- 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
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- 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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- 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
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- 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
- outstanding! give us Moreno or Donald Brown at 21 and I'll be even happier!— spadty
- 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
- 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.
- 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
- 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 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
- A running back in the first or second round and we will be in good shape.— ronre
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