The Eagles signed free agent tight end Kris Wilson to a three-year
contract today. The 26-year-old Wilson (6-2, 251 pounds) spent the last
four seasons in Kansas City, where he caught 42 passes for 345 yards
and four touchdowns as a tight end, H-back, and fullback. Wilson also
has 15 career tackles on special teams. In 2007, Wilson registered a
career-high 24 receptions for 180 yards and one score.
Wilson
was born in Harrisburg, played at McCaskey High School in
Lancaster and was a 2nd-round draft choice of the Chiefs in 2004 from
the University of Pittsburgh.
To compare Wilson's production to Matt Schobel's: Schobel had 11 receptions for 108 yards and 1 TD last year. I'm guessing he's brought in primarly as a blocking TE and to help out on special teams.
The Eagles signed LB Rocky Boiman to a one-year contract. Boiman, a 6' 4", 236-pound linebacker, has played in 86 career games with
Indianapolis and Tennessee. He had 64 tackles and two interceptions last season
for the Colts. The 28-year-old Boiman was a fourth-round draft choice of the Titans in 2002
and set a club record with 28 special teams tackles as a rookie.
The Eagles picture at LB is looking good. The starters will be Stewart Bradley in the middle, Chris Gocong on the strongside, and Omar Gaither on the weakside. With Akeem Jordan and Rocky Boiman at the reserve spots, the Eagles picture at linebacker is pretty good.
I'm liking this defense a lot. Cornerbacks, check. Linebackers, check. Defensive ends, check (hopefully, Abiamiri turns out to be legit). Defensive tackles, check (Bunkley improved by about 400% last year; his growth should be able to continue).
It looks like the only position on defense that the Eagles need to address in the first 3 rounds of the draft is safety (in order to find Dawkins replacement in the future). After this poll, the next question on my mind is what sequence the Eagles should go in the draft: S/WR/OT, WR/S/OT, OT/WR/S, OT/S/WR, or WR/OT/S. If they use their 1st-round pick on a FS, they should opt for Kenny Phillips. However, if he's taken early or if the Eagles pass on him to address another position, the Eagles could easily grab a solid safety in the 2nd or 3rd round. I would target Reggie Smith, DaJuan Morgan, or Tyrell Johnson in the 2nd round (he's high on the Cowboys' draft board), or Tom Zbikowski in the 3rd round, but he's more suited for FS.
Limas Sweed is my favorite receiver in the draft and if the Eagles use their #19 pick on a WR, I think they should opt for Limas Sweed over Malcolm Kelly, James Hard (although he's a close second), and DeSean Jackson. If you haven't voted on your favorite WR in the draft, go ahead and do that. Here is a review of Limas Sweed's Pro Day (via ESPN):
That's not a bad time (between a 4.40 and 4.54: a local newspaper reported a 4.40, but one scout clocked him at a 4.51) at all for a big guy like him
(6-4, 215). He has that type of extra gear to go get it, and that's one
of the things I really like about him. He needs to become a better
route runner.
OK, I'm going to sound like
I'm contradicting myself, but I'm really not. He's a good receiver in
traffic, but he's not good at making contested catches. He simply
doesn't use his body to shield the ball properly. The wrist injury
happened in practice before the season, and he was never quite the
same. I honestly don't think the injury is going to be an issue,
though. They'll bring him in for the combine re-check next week and
check it out.
Honestly, I don't have any
receivers in the top 10 this year. No one will get taken until the
bottom third unless someone's reaching. Personally, I'd rather have
Sweed than Kelly.
Bleeding Green Nation got its hands on pictures of the Cowboys' draft board, which revealed how the Cowboys ranked the defensive backs in the draft. Here is their order:
I know that this scenario is a long-shot, but it's always fun to play a little "what if."
In my last poll question I asked the readers, in the event that Lito
Sheppard is traded to the Patriots for the 7th pick in the draft, who
should the Eagles draft? The straight-up choices were Ryan Clady,
Derrick Harvey, Phillip Merling, Keith Rivers, Kenny Phillips, Mike
Jenkins, and Limas Sweed. I also provided 3 more options if the Eagles
were somehow able to parlay the 7th and 19th picks to trade up in order to get
their hands on Jake Long, Vernon Gholston, or Darren McFadden, which
got the majority of votes. However, the outright winner was Limas
Sweed at 23%, who was followed by trading the 7th and the 19th pick for
Jake Long -- who I expect to be drafted by the Dolphins with the 1st
pick; or the Rams with the 2nd pick because they clearly need to protect
Marc Bulger's blind side in order to prevent further concussions to
their franchise quarterback, and Orlando Pace is done. After that,
there was also strong support for Darren McFadden and Vernon Gholston.
Lets review the options.
By the way, since WR is clearly on the mind of Eagles fans for the 1st-round pick, the next poll asks you for your favorite wide receiver in the draft.
The Eagles are in a great position with 3 outstanding CBs and Joe
Banner has made it clear that they will listen to offers, but will not
deal Lito unless they get a lot of value. Even though the Patriots
went out and got 2 CBs to replace the loss of Asante Samuel, none of
them are on the level of Lito Shepppard, and you would think the
Patriots will want to trade their 7th pick for a proven CB rather than
draft an unproven rookie CB. Having two first-round picks would be
tremendous news for the Eagles because they have the ability of
parlaying those in order to get a superstar like Jake Long, Chris Long,
Vernon Gholston, or Darren McFadden; or if they don't or can't trade
up, they have the ability to address 2 needs in the first round. I
would say their top 4 needs are WR, OL, S, and DE. They picked up Chris Clemons to help the pass rush, but you can never have too many pass
rushers. If the Eagles hold the 7th and 19th pick, if you can find a suitor
to trade for Chris Long, Vernon Gholston, Jake Long, or Darren
McFadden, you have to do it. Let's review the Eagles' options, along with the
clear favorite of Eagles fans: Limas Sweed
Allen Iverson's first return to Philadelphia since the trade was spoiled by a team that is RED HOT right now. After an incredible ovation that nearly brought tears to his eyes, Iverson and the Sixers went onto deliver a hell of a game.
Iverson had 32 points along with 8 assists, but that wasn't enough to get it done against the Sixers. Andre Miller was a stud once again: 28 points, 12 assists. Iguodala's line: 21/5/6. Sammy contributed 17 points and 12 rebounds. Carney kept his hot streak going with 11 points. Iverson had a chance to tie the game with the last shot, but it didn't fall for him. Sixers win 115-113.
In the press conferenace after the game, seeing Iverson in front of the 76ers back-drop only seemed right. Iverson thanked the fans for making him feel so appreciated.
Iverson's ovation in front of the Philadelphia crowd, highlights from the game, and the post-game interview:
Now that free agency has slowed down and the draft isn't coming for another month, there hasn't been too much Eagles news to report; plus, there are so many great things going on with the Sixers (like wins over the Spurs and Pistons). However, I will be posting some articles on the draft soon. Here are some Eagles links to keep you occupied:
The People's Champ Freddie Mitchell Returning? [Bleeding Green Nation] He has the audacity to blame his awful career on Donovan McNabb and says it was because he and T.O. were "tight."
Eagles Don't Need Another Lineman [Iggles Blog] I also thought it was a lock the Eagles would draft an OL with their 1st pick, but Iggles Blog puts the OL picture into perspective. Tra Thomas still have a couple of great years left (he's a year younger the Flozell Adams, who just received a 6-year deal); Jon Runyan is a question mark since he may retire after this season, but the Eagles have options: Winston Justice, despite looking terrible against Osi Umenyiora, will be a very good tackle (the Patriots Pro-Bowl OT looked like a rookie against Osi in the Super Bowl); or the Eagles could move Herremans or Shawn Andrews over to tackle. The Eagles could address other needs, like finding Brian Dawkins' replacement (Kenny Phillips) or drafting a wide receiver (Limas Sweed or James Hardy).
You can forget all the talk about a Fitzgerald trade to the Eagles. The speculation on whether Fitzgerald will come to terms with the Cardinals is now over. Larry Fitzgerald has agreed to a 4-year $40 million deal with the Cardinals. Fitzgerald will receive a $15 million signing bonus Tuesday. His
base salary will be $2 million, giving him a $17 million payout this
year. He has a $5 million option bonus in 2009. Over the four years of
his contract, he will receive $30 million in guarantees. The new deal will save the team $8.8 million in cap room, dropping his salary cap number from $16,485,000 to $7,643,334.
Joe
Banner said he is not interested in Fitzgerald because the Cardinals have made it clear that they are not trading Fitzgerald. Banner also denied even having discussions with the Cardinals, but Banner doesn't have the reputation of always being truthful. When asked about Asante Samuel, he said that they went after him with the mindset that they will have 3 outstanding corners, that teams will notice that, and offers would be coming in. Banner said they'll entertain offers, but won't do anything unless they get a lot of value; having 3 outstanding corners is a pretty good place to be in. There is no dissatisfaction with Lito Sheppard. Interesting note: the Eagles were 1 of 5 teams to have 2 receivers with 60 or more catches. They are happy with their receivers, but he admitted to going after Randy Moss. Check out the video (via Yardbarker).
The Oakland Raiders signed former Pro-Bowl receiver Javon Walker. Walker got a $6 million signing bonus and $5 million in salary
in each of the first two years. The six-year deal could be worth up to
$55 million. It is in essence a three-year, $27 million contract, or a four-year, $35 million deal since the Raiders have an option after the third year.
The guy broke his leg and he gets more than Moss, huh? Well, Moss got a $12 million signing bonus and $15 million guaranteed, but come on, that deal is ridiculous considering his injury history. They better hope that knee is OK. The Raiders are making brash decisions the way they're spending their money in free agency.
The Eagles remain active in free agency. Kris Wilson is the 5th free agent the Eagles have been able to sign.
The Eagles 
I know that this scenario is a long-shot, but it's always fun to play a little "what if."
Allen Iverson's first return to Philadelphia since the trade was spoiled by a team that is 
You can forget all the talk about a Fitzgerald trade to the Eagles. The speculation on whether Fitzgerald will come to terms with the Cardinals is now over. 
Joe
Banner said he is not interested in Fitzgerald because the Cardinals have made it clear that they are not trading Fitzgerald. Banner also denied even having discussions with the Cardinals, but Banner doesn't have the reputation of always being truthful. When asked about Asante Samuel, he said that they went after him with the mindset that they will have 3 outstanding corners, that teams will notice that, and offers would be coming in. Banner said they'll entertain offers, but won't do anything unless they get a lot of value; having 3 outstanding corners is a pretty good place to be in. There is no dissatisfaction with Lito Sheppard. Interesting note: the Eagles were 1 of 5 teams to have 2 receivers with 60 or more catches. They are happy with their receivers, but he admitted to going after Randy Moss. Check out the video (via 
The Oakland Raiders 
