Philadelphia Eagles News

Eagles release Kevin Curtis, Darren Howard
Comment
March 19
Philadelphia Daily News
 
"Now that there is no NFL salary cap, the Eagles can shed any contract they feel doesn't reflect a player's current and future value. That reality hit home yesterday for two once highly touted free-agent signees - defensive end Darren Howard (2006) and wideout Kevin Curtis (2007), who were released. Howard, 33, was due for a $1 million roster bonus today; Curtis, who turns 32 in July, was due $1.1 million in early June. Howard and Curtis were due to make about $4.5 million apiece this coming season. Howard would have made about the same next season, and in 2012 he would have been due a $4 million roster bonus in addition to a $4 million base. Curtis would have made more than $5.3 million in ..."
Titans sign defensive end Justin Babin, now wait on Eagles
Comment
March 18
Tennessean
 
"Now comes the waiting game. The Titans signed Eagles defensive end Jason Babin to a one-year, $1 million offer sheet Wednesday. Although Babin is an unrestricted free agent, his contract with Philadelphia contains a clause that allows the Eagles seven days to match any offer. Should Philly pass, the Titans would get an experienced pass rusher to help fill a hole left by Kyle Vanden Bosch, who signed with the Lions two weeks ago. Agent Tony Agnone said Babin, 29, enjoyed his visit last week with the Titans and was impressed with Coach Jeff Fisher, defensive coordinator Chuck Cecil and defensive line coach Jim Washburn. "He loved Coach Washburn and Coach Fisher," said Agnone, who represents ..."
Babin signs one-year offer sheet with Titans
Comment
March 18
Nashville City Paper
 
"The Tennessee Titans have signed defensive end Jason Babin to a one-year deal worth $1 million. Babin's previous contract with the Philadelphia Eagles contained a right of first refusal, despite his being an unrestricted free agent. According to a league source, the contract contains a couple of "incentives" designed to discourage the Eagles from matching the offer, but does not contain a true poison pill that deals in the past for restricted free agents have often had."
Eagles, Bell await Saints
Comment
March 18
Philadelphia Inquirer
 
"As of yesterday, the New Orleans Saints had seven days to decide if they wanted to match the Eagles' offer to running back Mike Bell. The restricted free agent signed an offer sheet Tuesday, but the seven-day countdown did not start until the Saints and the NFL office received the paperwork yesterday. The Eagles offered a one-year deal worth $1.7 million, with $500,000 guaranteed and incentives that could earn Bell up to $2 million. The Saints were not expected to match the offer. They had tendered him a low offer weeks ago, and they appeared to be already shopping for his replacement, hosting free agent Justin Fargas yesterday. The 26-year-old Bell said he had no preference in teams. ..."
For Eagles, Shawn Andrews wasn't worth the trouble
Comment
March 18
Philadelphia Inquirer
 columnist Ashley Fox
"He was, when right, a phenomenal football player, and ultimately that's why the Eagles held on to Shawn Andrews for as long as they did. His talent trumped his trouble. Until yesterday. After a bizarre two years during which the Eagles, in retrospect, held on longer than they should have, the team released Andrews yesterday, sending the 27-year-old former all-pro guard on his way to more back rehabilitation or to the recording studio or to see his son. Who knows for sure where Andrews will go? Maybe to another team? Maybe to another career? Maybe to get his Michael Phelps on? But the Eagles' terse announcement yesterday was a jarring admission that the patience and the money and the ..."
Eagles release Shawn Andrews
Comment
March 18
Philadelphia Inquirer
 
"Shawn Andrews caught the lateral, hurdled a fallen defender and raced effortlessly downfield, laughing all the way. During a preseason practice, the Eagles offensive lineman and a few teammates engaged in a little "fumblerooskie" foolery. For a moment, it was as if Andrews' back injuries, depression and off-the-field issues over the last year had never occurred. It was a glimpse of a once amazing athlete. That was Aug. 30. Ten days later, Andrews was back on the sideline. Less than a week after that, the Eagles placed him on injured reserve. Yesterday, they released the 27-year-old guard, a two-time Pro Bowler. "We appreciate the efforts and contributions of Shawn while he was here," ..."
Running back Bell in win-win situation with Eagles
Comment
March 18
Philadelphia Daily News
 
"Mike Bell allowed that he is in for "a strange and long week," waiting to see if the New Orleans Saints exercise their right to match the restricted free-agent offer sheet Bell signed from the Eagles. "But I feel I'm in a perfect situation, because both teams are Super Bowl-caliber teams," Bell said in a news conference yesterday at NovaCare. "So, just in case New Orleans does [match] the tender, I'm good to go, because I'll be back on a good team. If they decide not to, I had a great opportunity while I was there, and I'm on another Super Bowl-caliber team." There was no word on the Saints' plans yesterday, except that they hosted running back Justin Fargas, who visited the Eagles last ..."
Eagles break ties with Shawn Andrews
Comment
March 18
Philadelphia Daily News
 columnist Les Bowen
"HIS CAREER TOOK some really bizarre twists, in the not-quite-6 years between the April 2004 afternoon when the Eagles traded up to draft Shawn Andrews 16th overall in the first round, and yesterday, when the team released him. The move wasn't a surprise; the two-time Pro Bowl right guard had essentially missed two seasons because of back problems. Andrews, 27, who indicated yesterday via Twitter and in a subsequent interview with ESPN 97.3-FM in South Jersey that he isn't bitter and that he intends to try to continue playing, was amazingly athletic for a 6-4, 335-pound man. He could sprint out in front on a screen and wreak havoc among defenders. A year ago, when the Eagles took a huge ..."
Running back Mike Bell happy to join Philadelphia Eagles, if the New Orleans Saints let him go
Comment
March 17
LehighValleyLive.com
 
"It's been a busy week for the Eagles, trading for defensive end Darryl Tapp, releasing offensive lineman Shawn Andrews and now offering running back Mike Bell from the Super Bowl champion New Orleans Saints a one-year offer sheet. Bell is a restricted free agent, however, and the Saints have seven days from Tuesday to match the offer. Read about Andrews' release and Tapp's signing. Bell said he didn't know whether the Saints would do so. "I haven't really talked to the Saints since the season ended," Bell said. "I'm letting my agent handle all the business side of it. I'm just trying to get myself in football shape right now and get myself mentally ready to play the season." Bell's ..."
Shawn Andrews' up-and-down career with the Philadelphia Eagles has ended
Comment
March 17
LehighValleyLive.com
 
"One of the more star-crossed Philadelphia professional careers in recent memory ended today when the Eagles announced they have released offensive lineman Shawn Andrews. "We appreciate the efforts and contributions of Shawn while he was in Philadelphia," said head coach Andy Reid. "We have, however, decided to move in another direction.""
Eagles release Shawn Andrews
Comment
March 17
Camden Courier-Post
 
"The Eagles today released offensive lineman Shawn Andrews, who has battled injury the last two seasons. "We appreciate the efforts and contributions of Shawn while he was in Philadelphia," said head coach Andy Reid. "We have, however, decided to move in another direction." Andrews was the 16th overall pick of the 2004 draft and earned a starting job. But he broke a leg in his first regular-season game and was out for the rest of the year. The next season, Andrews stayed healthy and was named a Pro Bowl alternate. he agreed to a seven-year contract extension in 2006 and earned a Pro Bowl starting spot that year as well as in 2007. But in 2008, Andrews failed to show up for training camp. ..."
Eagles Release Shawn Andrews
Comment
March 17
Philadelphia Inquirer
 
"The Eagles just announced the release of two-time Pro Bowl guard Shawn Andrews, who hasn't played since the second game of the 2008 season because of back injuries. Andrews, the Eagles' 2004 first-round draft choice, has been optimistic about resuming his career, but that will have to happen somewhere else now. In a statement released by the team, Eagles coach Andy Reid said he appreciated Andrews' efforts but "we have, however, decided to move in another direction.""
Tapp out: Seahawks send end to Philly
Comment
March 17
Tacoma News Tribune
 
"Head coach Pete Carroll and general manager John Schneider continued their makeover of the Seattle Seahawks' roster on Tuesday, trading defensive end Darryl Tapp to Philadelphia a day after they signed the restricted free agent to a one-year tender. The Seahawks received another defensive end in return, fifth-year pro Chris Clemons, along with a fourth-round draft pick. Tapp is expected to start at defensive end for Philadelphia opposite Pro Bowl defensive end Trent Cole. The Seahawks added more depth on defense later Tuesday by agreeing to terms with veteran linebacker Matt McCoy. The six-year veteran, who has started just two games during the past four seasons, spent the past two years ..."
Birds deal for defensive end Tapp
Comment
March 17
Philadelphia Inquirer
 
"The Eagles and Seahawks were talking trade after all. But the two teams weren't haggling over quarterbacks - or at least not yet. They struck a deal when the Eagles traded defensive end Chris Clemons and a fourth-round pick to Seattle in exchange for defensive end Darryl Tapp. The Eagles also signed the four-year pro to a three-year contract extension, pending a physical, according to a league source. The Eagles not only upgraded at defensive end yesterday, they potentially added a complement to running back LeSean McCoy by signing restricted free agent Mike Bell to an offer sheet. While they spent the first 12 days of free agency addressing some of their in-house issues and signing minor ..."
Seahawks trade Darryl Tapp to Philadelphia
Comment
March 17
Seattle Times
 
"Defensive end Darryl Tapp signed a one-year qualifying offer from Seattle Monday. Less than a day later, Tapp was headed toward a longer-term arrangement on the opposite side of the country. Seattle traded Tapp, 25, to the Philadelphia Eagles in exchange for pass-rusher Chris Clemons and a fourth-round pick in the next month's NFL draft. Tapp will travel to Philadelphia Wednesday and undergo a physical exam. If there are no problems, he will sign a long-term extension with the Eagles, though he provided no specifics with regard to the new contract. "I'm very excited," Tapp said in a telephone interview after the trade. "I have a job. I get an opportunity to play a game that I love to play. ..."
Bell signs Eagles' offer sheet
Comment
March 17
Philadelphia Daily News
 
"Whether the Eagles made solid progress toward improving their 2010 roster yesterday might hinge on whether the Saints decline to match the Birds' offer sheet to restricted free agent running back Mike Bell. The other move, the one that isn't contingent on anything but a physical, is interesting but doesn't seem to be a game-changer. New general manager Howie Roseman shipped underachieving defensive end Chris Clemons to Seattle, along with the second of the Birds' two fourth-round picks in next month's draft, for defensive end Darryl Tapp. Tapp, who started only three games and recorded just 2 1/2 sacks last season for the Seahawks, seems to be a rotation guy, much like Clemons. He's ..."
Saints runner Bell set to visit Eagles
Comment
March 16
Philadelphia Inquirer
 
"Free-agent running back Mike Bell will visit the Eagles tomorrow at the NovaCare Complex, according to a team source. Bell is a restricted free agent, but he was given an offer from the New Orleans Saints at the lowest tender level. The Eagles would not lose a draft pick if they were to sign him, but New Orleans has the right to match any offer. Bell has visited the Seattle Seahawks. The 6-foot, 225-pound tailback ran for 654 yards on 172 carries (3.8 yards per carry) and five touchdowns last season for the Super Bowl champion. He had four catches for 12 yards. The 26-year-old has spent the last two seasons in New Orleans. He was originally signed by the Denver Broncos as an undrafted ..."
Reading the Eagles' quarterback cards
Comment
March 16
Philadelphia Daily News
 columnist Les Bowen
"AMONG THE NFL punditry, it seems the time has come to wonder what the heck the Eagles are doing with their quarterbacking situation. The season has been over for a few months, offseason conditioning started yesterday for Eagles rookies and select vets, the Michael Vick bonus has been paid, teams that seemed like promising trade partners are addressing their QB needs - most prominently Cleveland, where the signing of Jake Delhomme pretty much ends any possibility of a Tom Heckert QB pipeline. I've heard the subject addressed at least a few times lately on national-TV outlets. Saturday, I was a radio guest of ESPN's John Clayton, whose thesis was that the Birds have overvalued their assets, ..."
Running back Mike Bell visiting Eagles
Comment
March 16
Philadelphia Daily News
 
"Restricted free-agent running back Mike Bell is visiting the Eagles today, agent Josh Luchs confirmed. Bell, who turns 27 next month, might be a good complement to 2009 rookie LeSean McCoy. Bell is 6-foot, 225, and excels at the short-yardage game that has been an Eagles struggle the past few years. Last season he led the Saints in carries (172) for 654 yards and five touchdowns. In Week 2, Bell was the leading rusher in New Orleans' 48-22 shellacking of the Birds, gaining 86 yards on 17 carries and scoring a touchdown. "Mike has proven to be a very physical runner," Luchs said last night. "Any team looking for a very physical presence in the backfield, it would behoove them to sign him." ..."
Eagles unlikely to reap rewards if Vick departs
Comment
March 14
Camden Courier-Post
 
"Have you heard the one about the Eagles keeping Michael Vick in 2010 and being "rewarded' with a high compensatory pick for the 2011 draft? Think again. According to the NFL, compensatory picks are based on salary, playing time and postseason honors. Unless he's the starting quarterback, two of those three categories aren't favorable, and his $5-million-plus salary isn't exorbitant, either. So the idea that the Eagles are guaranteed a third- or fourth-rounder as compensation for losing Vick to free agency next year doesn't fly. No T.O. Despite some intense lobbying via Twitter, Chad Ochocinco's attempt to get paired with fellow drama-maker Terrell Owens fell through when the Bengals ..."
Fargas deal unlikely
Comment
March 13
Philadelphia Inquirer
 
"In talking to Justin Fargas, you can tell that he really wants to sign with the Eagles. Unfortunately for him, the Eagles aren't likely to sign the free agent running back, according to a league source. Fargas has played his entire career with the lowly Raiders, so joining a winning organization would have been nice. But a deal could not be struck and he's left the NovaCare Complex. Beforehand, though, he felt positive about the vibes he was feeling from the Eagles. "From what I understand they're excited about the possibility for me to be an Eagles," Fargas said. "They feel like my style of play can fit in well here. This is known as a tough city and a tough team and I consider myself a ..."
Baskett happy to be back with Eagles
Comment
March 13
Philadelphia Inquirer
 
"The Eagles, apparently working from the bottom up, addressed one of their lesser needs yesterday when they signed wide receiver - and familiar face - Hank Baskett to a one-year contract. One of their greater needs - finding a competent complement to running back LeSean McCoy - was pecked at, but a visit from free agent Justin Fargas resulted in nothing more. The former Raiders running back left Philadelphia without a deal and is unlikely to sign with the Eagles, according to a league source. A message left with Fargas' agent, David Dunn, was not returned yesterday. Baskett returns after almost a full season in Indianapolis. The 27-year-old receiver spent his first three years with the ..."
Cut by Colts, Baskett returns to the Eagles
Comment
March 13
Philadelphia Daily News
 
"AS VACATION SPOTS GO, Indianapolis ranks high on very few lists. That's how wideout Hank Baskett is treating his 6-month hiatus from the Eagles, though. Playing for the Colts this past season was nice, until that onside kick business in the Super Bowl, then it turned not-nice in a hurry. Now, maybe that he's back where Baskett feels he belongs, he won't spend the rest of his life rehashing it. "It feels good. It feels like I went on a little vacation and then came back home," Baskett said yesterday after signing a 1-year deal as a free agent. The Eagles really never wanted to lose Baskett, a solid role player for three seasons. But somebody had to go to get Michael Vick onto the roster ..."
Baskett signs 1-year deal to return to Eagles
Comment
March 12
Camden Courier-Post
 
"Wide receiver Hank Baskett, perhaps best known for being married to former Playboy centerfold Kendra Wilkinson and for mishandling an onside kick in this year's Super Bowl, signed a one-year contract today to return to the Eagles. "I'm glad we had a chance to get Hank back in Philadelphia," head coach Andy Reid said in a press release. "Not only has he proven himself to be a productive receiver, but he also does a solid job on special teams. On top of all that, he's a quality person." Baskett spent the majority of the 2009 season with the Colts after being released by the Eagles on Sept. 15. He appeared in 12 regular season games, notching five receptions for 34 yards. He also played in ..."
Eagles sign Baskett
Comment
March 12
Philadelphia Inquirer
 
"The Eagles today announced they have signed WR Hank Baskett to a one-year contract. "I'm glad we had a chance to get Hank back in Philadelphia," said head coach Andy Reid. "Not only has he proven himself to be a productive receiver, but he also does a solid job on special teams. He's a team player and his main focus has and always will be on helping his team win games. On top of all that, he's a quality person." Now in his second stint in Philadelphia, Baskett (6-4, 220) spent the majority of the 2009 season with the Indianapolis Colts after being released by the Eagles on September 15."
Eagles eyeing Ray Edwards, report says
Comment
March 12
St. Paul Pioneer Press
 
"The Delaware County (Pa.) Times reported that the Philadelphia Eagles are expected to try to sign Vikings free-agent defensive end Ray Edwards. The report made no mention of a possible timetable. The Vikings tendered Edwards, a restricted free agent, at a first-round level for $2.521 million for one year. If Edwards receives an offer from another team, the Vikings would have seven days to match it. If they don't, the Vikings would receive a first-round draft pick."
Eagles add a triple threat
Comment
March 12
Camden Courier-Post
 
"After three seasons as an elusive triple threat for the Air Force Academy, Chad Hall set football aside for two years to make sure our nation's military aircraft lifted off and touched down without any dents, cracks or loose bolts. "You think a car is tough, an F-16 is 10 times worse," Hall said. "They're always breaking." But after ascending to second in command for the 421st Fighter Squadron (the Black Widows), Hall is ready to give up his aeronautics career to resume the one he left behind. He signed a three-year contract with the Eagles on Thursday and hopes to carve out his niche as a slot receiver, return specialist and special-teams maven for a team that struggled last season in ..."
Baskett may be coming back to Eagles
Comment
March 12
Philadelphia Inquirer
 
"They brought back Jeremiah Trotter, so there's no reason to think the Eagles won't welcome Hank Baskett back to the nest. The free agent wide receiver, an Eagle for over three seasons until he was cut last September, will be at the NovaCare Complex today. Baskett, who last played for the Colts, will be joined by free agent running back Justin Fargas, formerly of Oakland. The Eagles have signed only one free agent one week into free agency - they inked defensive back Marlin Jackson on Wednesday - but adding Baskett and Fargas would address a few minor needs. When they released Baskett after one game last season, the Eagles were stocked at wide receiver. But they traded rookie Brandon Gibson ..."
Shawn Andrews' tweets: Follow if you can
Comment
March 12
Philadelphia Inquirer
 columnist John Gonzalez
"Newspapers are finished. It's true. Old-school scribes can't compete with the modern digital bard. The first story I had professionally published ran 14 years ago. Everything I've penned since then has been garbage - at least relative to the stuff Shawn Andrews is tweeting. Compared with him, we're all Tucker Max, slopping words onto the page and lowering the level of the language. Twitter and athletes is an old story. This isn't about that. This is about Andrews and how Twitter has become his addiction and best form of expression, which is great for the rest of us (though I suspect the Eagles organization might not agree). For that reason alone, the Birds should keep Andrews around. ..."
Eagles sign Air Force's Hall as wideout/returner
Comment
March 12
Philadelphia Daily News
 
"It's been a few years since Chad Hall last played football, but the former Air Force Academy star running back and receiver showed enough skills in Monday's "pro day" workout at the University of Utah that the Eagles signed him yesterday. Hall, 23, projects as a wideout/returner for the Birds, perhaps along the lines of Danny Amendola, the free agent they kept on their practice squad last season who eventually was signed away by the Rams. Amendola ended up returning kicks and punts for St. Louis, and also caught 43 passes for 326 yards. For the time being, though, as Hall counts down the remaining days in his 2-year service commitment, he said he's working 10- to 12-hour days at Hill Air ..."
Eagles invite Fargas, Baskett over for visit
Comment
March 12
Philadelphia Daily News
 
"Now that we're safely past the big-money early days of free agency, the pace is picking up noticeably down at the NovaCare Complex. The Eagles have announced visits today from former Oakland running back Justin Fargas and a former Eagle, wideout Hank Baskett, last seen disastrously failing to corral an onside kick for Indianapolis in the Super Bowl. Both players would give the team elements it currently lacks. Fargas, 6-1, 220, could be the hard-running, inside-the-tackles force Eagles fans haven't seen regularly since the days of Duce Staley, who ran bigger than he measured. Baskett, 6-4, 220, would bring stature to a talented, speedy but undersized wideout corps. The Eagles cut Baskett ..."
Browns would need to give Eagles a first-round pick to get Donovan McNabb or Kevin Kolb
Comment
March 11
Cleveland Plain Dealer
 
"The Browns - or any team - would need to give up at least a first-round pick for either Eagles quarterback Donovan McNabb or Kevin Kolb, ESPN's Sal Paolantonio reported this morning. The Browns, who have the No. 7 pick in the draft, have inquired about both quarterbacks, according to numerous reports. The Seahawks, who have the No. 6 overall pick, are also interested in McNabb and Kolb, Paolantonio reported. The Seahawks have reportedly been on the phone with the Eagles every day about their quarterbacks. Browns general manager Tom Heckert, who spent nine years with McNabb in Philadelphia and drafted Kolb, has been touting both to the Browns, a league source said."
Ex-Colt Jackson signs with Eagles
Comment
March 11
Indianapolis Star
 
"Marlin Jackson's comeback from a second season-ending knee injury will continue in Philadelphia. The Indianapolis Colts' 2005 first-round draft pick, who missed 21 regular-season games the past two years with knee injuries, signed a two-year contract with the Eagles on Wednesday reportedly worth $6 million. Jackson, 26, became a free agent last week when the Colts did not issue the restricted free agent a one-year tender. He is excited about his new team. "The most appealing thing about the deal was that it's a winning franchise,'' Jackson told Philadelphia media. "Winning is the most important thing for me and I came from a winning franchise and that was a key thing.'' Also appealing was ..."
Free agent Jackson signed by Eagles
Comment
March 11
Philadelphia Inquirer
 
"For the second straight year, the Eagles opened free agency by signing a player coming off major knee surgery. Defensive back Marlin Jackson and the Eagles came to terms yesterday on a two-year deal loaded with incentives. While they took a bit of a gamble last season when they signed offensive lineman Stacy Andrews to a long-term deal, the Eagles were cautious in signing Jackson. Eagles general manager Howie Roseman called it a "risk-reward" addition, but most of the $6 million Jackson could earn over two years hinges on his health and whether he starts. Jackson tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee during a practice last October, thus ending his season with the Colts. He ..."
Eagles sign defensive back Marlin Jackson to 2-year deal
Comment
March 11
Philadelphia Daily News
 
"NORMALLY, TRACY Leinen arranges travel for the Eagles. Yesterday, she was trying to prevent it. Leinen, the Birds' director of travel operations, was dispatched to chase down Marlin Jackson as the free-agent defensive back was walking out the NovaCare front door yesterday afternoon, headed for a planned visit with the Jets. Leinen told Jackson to come back - his representatives had reached agreement with the Birds on a 2-year deal that makes Jackson your starting free safety, heading into the spring. "They held the limo up and we hammered it out, got it done," said agent Doug Hendrickson, who felt it was more a matter of hashing out details than of resolving huge differences, at the end of ..."
Eagles add Jackson as free safety
Comment
March 11
Camden Courier-Post
 
"The Eagles' newest free safety is coming off a knee injury and will switch positions to accommodate their defensive scheme. Sounds a lot like last season's experiment at free safety, and how did that work out? But the Eagles must believe that defensive back Marlin Jackson, he of the two knee surgeries in a 12-month span, can transition from cornerback to safety better than Sean Jones, last year's free-agent acquisition who was also coming off a knee injury when he signed a one-year deal to compete for Brian Dawkins' old job. Jones, a natural strong safety, battled third-year pro Quintin Demps and rookie Victor Harris for the free safety gig, a competition that yielded no winner. The spot ..."
Seahawks Calling Eagles "Nonstop" Regarding Donovan McNabb, Kolb
Comment
March 10
Seattle Post-Intelligencer
 
"As a Seattle Seahawks fan, I try to be as objective and unbiased as possible, but this one simply has me giddy inside so please forgive me. Multiple sources, most notably ESPN's Sal Paolantonio, have confirmed the Seattle Seahawks have been in consistent contact with the Philadelphia Eagles in regards to Quarterbacks Donovan McNabb and Kevin Kolb. I reported yesterday here that the Seahawks have been linked to Kevin Kolb and at that time nothing was official, but since then , Mr. Sal Pal has certainly added some credibility and a McNabb to boot. Either quarterback would be an upgrade for the Seahawks, (Kolb for being a long term answer), and certainly almost every Seattle fan would trade ..."
Vick met by protesters in Baltimore
Comment
March 10
Philadelphia Inquirer
 
"Michael Vick is unsure of his future with the Eagles. Wherever the quarterback lands next season, he's likely to face protests similar to the one he confronted yesterday. On the day the Eagles officially picked up his $1.5 million roster bonus, Vick was here to receive the Ed Block Courage Award. His presence and what some viewed as an undeserved award - in light of his dogfighting crimes - drew a visible demonstration from protesters. Vick's Eagles teammates unanimously voted him the award, coach Andy Reid said in December. Despite the roster bonus, Vick isn't expected to remain an Eagle for much longer. "I don't know what the situation may be," said a tuxedoed Vick. "As far as I know, ..."
Former Colts safety Marlin Jackson visits Eagles
Comment
March 10
Philadelphia Daily News
 
"Finally, a free-agent visit. The Eagles apparently see Marlin Jackson as a free safety, and there seems to be a pretty good chance that Jackson will be signed by the time he is scheduled to meet with reporters today at 11 a.m. at NovaCare. (Though at least one report indicates a pending visit with the Jets.) Yes, he's the Colts cornerback with the anterior cruciate ligament injuries each of the past two seasons, the left in 2009 and the right in 2008. He is the guy who intercepted Tom Brady to seal the Colts' trip to the Super Bowl following the 2006 season. No, he isn't Michael Jackson's brother. That's Marlon. What else do we know? Well, Jackson was a Jason Avant teammate at Michigan, ..."
Not everyone is ready to forgive Eagles' Vick
Comment
March 10
Philadelphia Daily News
 columnist Rich Hofmann
"Nearly 100 of them were out there, yelling, carrying signs. More people protested against Michael Vick on the night when he was one of 32 NFL players receiving an Ed Block Courage Award than at any single event during his season with the Eagles. Almost all of the signs were printable. Vick's Sick Not Courageous Shame on the Eagles! Michael Vick has no courage! Electrifying Dogs Drowning Dogs Dog Fighting Since when is this courage? You get the idea. The lesson is that this is not over. Even after a season with the Eagles, after all the emotions the town experienced at the time of his signing, after everybody got used to seeing him play, after the season wore on and he ended up doing a ..."
Bucs acquire WR Reggie Brown from Eagles
Comment
March 9
Tampa Tribune
 
"As suitors for wide receiver Antonio Bryant began to gather Monday, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers took their first step toward replacing the dispatched playmaker. In their first move of the free-agency signing period, the Bucs traded a sixth-round draft pick in 2011 to the Philadelphia Eagles for former starting receiver Reggie Brown. Brown, 29, has 177 catches for 2,574 yards and 17 touchdowns in his career, but only nine of those catches came last season as Brown was edged out of the Eagles lineup by rookie Jeremy Maclin and second-year pro DeSean Jackson. A product of the University of Georgia, Brown was a second-round pick of the Eagles (35th overall) in 2005 who quickly stepped into the ..."
Eagles sign Avant, make Brown a Buc
Comment
March 9
Camden Courier-Post
 
"The Eagles continue to make modest moves in free agency, improving their roster by re-signing valuable role players instead of doling out big money. They're also paying close attention to character and locker-room leadership in the post-Brian Dawkins and Brian Westbrook era. Four days after making incumbent Leonard Weaver the wealthiest fullback in NFL history, the team re-signed fifth-year receiver Jason Avant to a five-year deal Monday worth a reported $18 million, with $8 million guaranteed. At the same time they were solidifying Avant's status, they were dealing receiver Reggie Brown to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for an undisclosed 2011 draft choice. The 29-year-old Brown caught 177 ..."
McNabb, T.O. together again
Comment
March 9
Philadelphia Inquirer
 
"Donovan McNabb and Terrell Owens are getting the band back together. Instead of teaming up on the football field, however, the quarterback and wide receiver are joining forces on the basketball court. McNabb and Owens, former Eagles teammates, will play alongside each other in the new season of Spike TV's "Pros vs. Joes" series. The episode features former NFL players who played college basketball facing off against a trio of former NBA players. McNabb, who played both football and basketball at Syracuse, and Owens (Tennessee-Chattanooga) will play with Chargers tight end Antonio Gates (Kent State). That threesome will take on Hakeem Olajuwon, Kenny Smith, and Rick Fox. Production on the ..."
Andrews and Avant staying
Comment
March 9
Philadelphia Inquirer
 
"While several NFL teams have methodically gone about signing top-tier free agents, the Eagles instead have addressed some in-house bookkeeping in the last week. Yesterday, the Eagles negotiated a restructuring of guard Stacy Andrews' contract not long after they signed wide receiver Jason Avant to a five-year deal worth up to $18 million, with $8 million guaranteed. On Friday, the Eagles signed another of their restricted free agents to a long-term contract when they gave fullback Leonard Weaver a three-year pact. While the Avant and Weaver signings were expected, Andrews' return was not as certain. The team wanted the guard, who signed a six-year, $38.6 million contract in the last ..."
Eagles unload receiver Brown to Bucs
Comment
March 9
Philadelphia Inquirer
 
"Last September after the Eagles got rid of Hank Baskett, Reggie Brown admitted that he was torn about not being the wide receiver who was sent packing. In one season he had gone from a starting role to being inactive on game days. "Even a rose can grow out of a pound of bull [manure], so why can't I?" Brown said then. The receiver will have the opportunity to grow elsewhere after the Eagles announced last night that they had traded Brown to Tampa Bay for an undisclosed draft pick in 2011. Several media outlets reported that it will be a sixth-round pick. Attempts to reach Brown and his agent, William Johnson, were unsuccessful. With Brown gone, the Eagles have four remaining veteran ..."
Eagles give Avant 5-year deal
Comment
March 9
Philadelphia Daily News
 
"JASON AVANT doesn't run real fast and he isn't a diva. Somehow, Avant has overcome these potentially crippling NFL wideout handicaps to become a solid cog for the Eagles, who yesterday rewarded him with a 5-year contract worth as much as $18 million, with $8 million guaranteed, and a $7 million payout this season, a source close to the situation said. Like fullback Leonard Weaver, the other restricted free agent the Birds tendered, then signed to a longer deal (in Weaver's case, 3 years), Avant is a leader who exemplifies team values. It's hard not to infer that management understands the importance of emphasizing those traits, with a young locker room containing several impressionable ..."
McNabb is the king of generating Philly talk
Comment
March 9
Philadelphia Daily News
 columnist Sam Donnellon
"ON JAN. 26 of this year, in an upset of epic proportions, Chase Utley's photo appeared on the back page of this newspaper the same day a story comparing Donovan McNabb and Brett Favre appeared inside. There are few things more certain in our world than writing about McNabb one day and seeing his image on the back page the next. Death. Taxes. Outrage over Rollie Massimino ditching the Big 5 any time a positive article about Villanova appears. With that in mind, and the Academy Awards in the rearview mirror, and because everyone likes to make lists and rank things, I propose to list this town's can't-miss topics when it comes to tapping outrage. No. 1 is McNabb, hands down, a rank that has ..."
Eagles trade Reggie Brown to Buccaneers for 2011 pick
Comment
March 9
Philadelphia Daily News
 
"Maybe someday we'll know what derailed Reggie Brown's career with the Eagles. For now, all we know is that Brown is out of roster purgatory, and on his way to Tampa. The Eagles announced last night they were trading Brown, a 2005 second-round draft choice, 35th overall in that draft, to the Bucs for an undisclosed 2011 pick, which the Tampa Tribune said would be a sixth-rounder. Brown, who seemed to be a rising star his first three seasons out of Georgia, went from a career-high 61 catches in 2007 to nine last season. He was carried on the 2009 roster only because the cap penalty for cutting him would have been so prohibitive - around $6 million - the Eagles couldn't afford to do it. In ..."
Avant signs extension
Comment
March 8
Camden Courier-Post
 
"Well the Eagles haven't made the splash many hoped in free agency, but they did lock up two key restricted free agents of their own. First Leonard Weaver signed a 3 year extension that made him the highest paid fullback in league history. Now, Jason Avant signed a 5 year extension this morning."
Colts cornerback Jackson to visit Eagles
Comment
March 8
Philadelphia Daily News
 
"The Eagles, like a lot of other teams, weren't really excited by this year's diluted unrestricted free-agent pool. This morning, we are starting to grasp exactly how unexcited they really are; the only free agent with a confirmed Eagles visit scheduled is Indianapolis corner Marlin Jackson, whose last two seasons have been ended by serious knee injuries. And Jackson, 26, a restricted free agent who wasn't tendered, is scheduled to come here after he visits Baltimore tomorrow. As Eagles coach Andy Reid noted in his Friday-evening radio appearance at the Maxwell Club dinner, the expansion of restricted free agency to everybody with less than 6 years' experience means the UFAs are mostly ..."