Posted: Friday, March 19, 2010, 8:17 PM | 12 comments |
 

"Outside chance" Saints match Bell offer
options
 

The clock is still ticking for the Saints, who have until 11:59 p.m. Tuesday to match the Eagles' offer for running back Mike Bell.

A restricted free agent, Bell signed an Eagles' offer sheet on Tuesday that would pay him $1.7 million, with $500,000 guaranteed, over one year. New Orleans had seven days to match, but all signs seem to be pointing to it not doing so.

The Times-Pacayune reported yesterday that there was only an "outside chance" that the Saints would match. They tendered Bell at the lowest level -- $1.176 million -- and would receive no draft-pick compensation were they not to match the offer.

The Eagles included a no-trade clause in the contract that would seemingly keep the Saints from matching their offer and dealing Bell to another team.

As reported on Wednesday, the Eagles aren't going to match the Titans' offer for defensive end Jason Babin. An unrestricted free agent, the Eagles had it written into Babin's contract that they could match any offer within seven days. Like the Saints and Bell, the Eagles had until midnight Tuesday to match Tennesse's offer sheet. However, they made it official today, notifying the league office that they would not match a one-year, $1 million offer.

Also, a league sourced confirmed an ESPN. com report detailing the terms of Darryl Tapp's new contract. The defensive end, who the Eagles traded for on Tuesday, could earn up to $9 million over three years. Tapp will get a $4 million roster bonus and $1.176 million in base salary this season.

 
Posted by Jeff McLane @ 8:17 PM  Permalink | 12 comments
12
Comments   
  • Comment removed.
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 9:39 PM, 03/19/2010
    yeah you are negadelphia. polanco gives the phillies the option to bat victorino (or rollins, for that matter) 7th. SEVENTH!!! and bell sounds like the short yardage back the eagles have lacked for years. both seem like good fits to me.
    — IssueMovement
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 9:39 PM, 03/19/2010
    I think Bell is a solid acquisition to be a role player type. He's gonna be the #3 ball carrier behind McCoy and Weaver. He's still young but has experience. He brings toughness and intensity. My only concern is whether he's gonna block and receive well enough when he's called on to do that.
    — soulman386
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 10:09 PM, 03/19/2010
    bell is close to if not 30, so in football years, hes no spring chicken..its an uncapped yr, they have trimmed alot of cash, so whats 1.7 mill for something the birds have needed for yrs...now they have 2 backs capable of short yard carries, weaver and bell
    — gleashead
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 10:18 PM, 03/19/2010
    Mike Bell is only 26. He has alot of experience, and not alot of wear on the tires. Good signing.
    — Hexfoliation
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 10:21 PM, 03/19/2010
    according to nfl.com, bell will be 27 in April this year, 2010 (b. April 27, 1983)
    — JimCC
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 10:25 PM, 03/19/2010
    Hey "largejunk" when did you pick up your Negadelphia Nation membership card?
    — Nothing but the truth
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 10:31 PM, 03/19/2010
    For those of you that think Weaver is an answer to carrying the ball, think again.. He will gain his yards on unexpected carries and the occasional short yardage plunge. He is a nice player. However, he's not even close to what Bell can do as a runner. Bell is a good signing. His issues are staying healthy.
    — bradco
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 11:12 AM, 03/20/2010
    Eagles ( Andy Reid) need to get the rushing attack organized and supported. Mike Bell doesn't guarantee any great results. He proved in Denver & New Orleans that in an offense that LIKE TO RUN THE FOOTBALL, that he can contribute plenty. Roster of Weaver, Bell, McCoy & Buckely isn't enough--Birds still need more run-blocking for powerhouse TE (not speedster Ingram). Birds will show me they are serious if they start drafting guys like Jonathan Dwyer or Lagarrette Blount to make rushing the football a priority--not just a few plays a game.
    — Smashmouth
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 11:58 AM, 03/20/2010
    Smashmouth - I doubt the birds draft a rb, at least early enough to pluck one of the backs you mentioned. Bell is a good pick up in my eyes - you mentioned the Saints liking to run the football but I don't think that is the case - Drew Brees broke a few passing records last year. Bell can be, like he was for the Saints, a very nice situational back, lightening the load for McCoy. The two superbowl teams were extrememly passing orientated so I have no problem with the Eagles throwing all over the place. They just need to have the right plays called and the right QB under center.
    — danF
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 1:39 PM, 03/20/2010
    I think they will draft Stafon Johnson in the 6th. Big Power back that would be great for short yardage situations who has a huge heart....
    — crohnkiller
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 2:20 PM, 03/20/2010
    I wish some of you people would stop with the "Eagles need to run the ball more" stuff. That's ignorant. The NFL has a become a passing league. The refs call illegal contact in the secondary very strictly. The league wanted more scoring. The way they enforce the rules have encouraged the teams to pass more. Running the football well is still important but the "smashmouth" days are over. I don't care how often the Eagles run the ball. I just want them to do it well.
    — soulman386


12 comments
About Jeff McLane and Jonathan Tamari






Jeff McLane (left) began covering the Eagles in April 2009 after covering college sports and Penn State football in particular. Before that he wrote about high school sports and before that he worked in the mailroom (not quite). Find Jeff on Facebook and follow him on Twitter for instant updates on the Eagles.

Jonathan Tamari (right) began covering the Eagles in April 2010. He previously covered New Jersey state government and politics, reporting and writing about elections, policy debates and the many personalities that drive the Garden State, from three recent governors to the many musicians bidding to write the state song. He has been at the Inquirer since June 2008. Follow him on Twitter at @JonathanTamari.

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