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Why trading for Colt McCoy doesn't make sense

Regular readers of MTC know I view the Eagles' backup quarterback situation as one of the biggest concerns on the team as we look ahead to training camp.

But at this point, I'd be surprised if it's anyone other than Mike Kafka filling the No. 2 role behind Michael Vick.

Yesterday, SI.com's Peter King recommended the Eagles take a shot on Browns quarterback Colt McCoy, who's on the trading block:

I think if I'm Andy Reid or Mike McCarthy, I'm calling Cleveland GM Tom Heckert and sending a 2013 sixth-rounder to Cleveland for McCoy. Perfect backup quarterback who, in time, might be good enough to start for your team for multiple seasons. Take out the tape of his game at Pittsburgh last season, before he got blasted by James Harrison, and tell me he doesn't have the poise, decision-making and presence to have a chance to be a good player.

The Browns took McCoy in the third round of the 2010 draft with the 85th overall pick. The Eagles selected Kafka that same year in the fourth round with the 122nd pick.

Here's the thing about adding another veteran QB to the mix at this point: You have to be certain that the new guy is going to provide a significant upgrade over Kafka (and Trent Edwards), because there's only room on the roster for three quarterbacks. Vick and rookie Nick Foles are locks for two of the spots. That leaves room for just one more QB - hypothetically either Kafka, Edwards OR McCoy.

Keeping that in mind, it doesn't really make sense to trade for a quarterback (even if it means only giving up a late-round pick) if he's far from a lock to make the roster. Were McCoy to get cut, that might be a different story.

But if the Eagles really liked him and felt he'd provide a clear upgrade as Vick's backup, they probably would not have waited this long to make a move for him.

McCoy started 13 games last year, completing 57.2 percent of his passes and averaging 5.9 yards per attempt. He threw 14 touchdowns and 11 interceptions. The YPA number ranked 32nd in the NFL, ahead of only Blaine Gabbert. McCoy threw 40 more passes than Vick, but Vick completed 24 more passes of 20+ yards. A lot of that had to do with the skill-position players on each team, but the point is the Eagles' offense relies on big plays downfield to DeSean Jackson and the other receivers. I'm not sure that makes McCoy such a good fit in this offense.

THE ATOGWE REPORTS

Arash Madani of Sportsnet Canada reports that the Eagles and veteran safety Oshiomogho Atogwe (an Ontario native) have agreed to terms on a new deal.

Atogwe played in 13 games with the Redskins last season. A third-round pick in 2005, he spent the previous six seasons with the Rams.

Nate Allen and Kurt Coleman were the first-team safeties during mini-camps. Jaiquawn Jarrett, a second-round pick in 2011, continues to be a mystery, and signing Atogwe would advance the argument that the Eagles are not getting what they want from the Temple product.

Colt Anderson, a safety/special teams ace, continues to recover from a torn ACL.

Atogwe has 25 career interceptions, but he battled hamstring, toe and knee injuries last year and turns 31 next week. This could be a depth signing, but given the Eagles' uncertainty at safety, Atogwe would likely be given a chance to compete for a starting spot this summer.

Update: Chris Russell of ESPN Radio 980 Tweeted that Atogwe texted him and said the report is true. The Eagles have not yet confirmed the move, and the Inquirer's Jeff McLane reports that a deal has NOT been finalized.

THE DESEAN/BANNER REPORT

There was some confusion over the weekend about a Boston Globe column, written by Greg A. Bedard. Here's the passage that relates to the Eagles:

Eagles receiver DeSean Jackson started a rap label and dropped $25,000 at a Los Angeles launch party. In his office that is still inside the Eagles' NovaCare facility, former team president Joe Banner is having a good laugh. Jackson received his $47 million extension, in good measure, because Banner had his contract power usurped. Banner never would have done that deal.

It seemed clear to me that Bedard was offering his opinion, but some took that passage to mean he was reporting that Banner told him he wouldn't have done the Jackson deal. He wasn't reporting that at all, and he eliminated any doubt afterwards via Twitter.

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