Draft Recaps Recap

Any draft class should be given an incomplete grade until the players actually get on the field, but that doesn't stop some sites from giving out instant evaluations on last weekend's draft. The range of grades I've seen for the Eagles' draft have ranged from to a B (Foxsports.com) to a B+ (Sportsline.com) to an A/A- (Sports Illustrated's Dr. Z), though there are always fans who complain about one pick or another. The fact is that the first few picks may be able to contribute immediately (though Reggie Brown will face the usual learning curve at wideout), even as special team replacements for departing players like Ike Reese, which is never a bad thing.

On Monday, the Eagles announced their rookie free-agent signings, which included a handful of wideouts and a couple of tight ends. Some of the players were below the radar of draft coverage, but I was able to find a little bit of info on a few of them.

Grant Adams, WR, Boston College

"Lacking top size/speed numbers, Adams offers marginal upside for the next level. Must really stand out on special teams and consistently catch the ball this summer to have any chance to make a roster."--SI.com

Jared Jones, WR, Syracuse

"[A] player totally off the draft radar, but should get invited to NFL camps as a free agent. Jones suffered from bad coaching and weak quaterback play while at Syracuse. That span of time including a quaterback carousel which had 4 quarterbacks starting over a 4 year span. He did his best though to overcome everything and contributed 43 receptions with 3 TD's. He was by far the rock of an unspectacular receiving corps. He has good size--6'0 and 205 lbs-- and speed. Jones could be your classic practice squad sleeper: a guy that works his way onto the field with a mixture of luck and his great work ethic."--On the Clock Draft

Martin Patterson, LB, Texas Christian

"May be similar to another Horned Frogs linebacker in LaMarcus McDonald, who had a great college career but just didn't have the measurables to project well to the pros."--NFL Draft Countdown

"A two-down defender who goes all out, Patterson would be best backing up for an NFL team at middle linebacker."--SI.com

Chauncey Stovall, WR, Florida State

"An emerging talent, Stovall provided the Seminoles with a big-play threat for their young receiving unit that was also hampered by injuries. Stovall took advantage of an opportunity to start in 2004, going on to lead the team in receptions."--Sportsline.com

"Actually outperformed the more highly touted [FSU teammate] Crophonso Thorpe as a senior...Could be a good backup and possession receiver in the pros...Should be a nice pick at some point in day two."--NFL Draft Countdown

Isaac West, WR, Furman

"Coming off a breakout senior campaign, West has positioned himself for consideration in the late rounds. Still rough around the edges and a player who will need repetition to refine his overall game, the arrow is pointing up, as he offers plenty of upside potential."--SI.com

"Also participates in Furman’s track and field program...Had a nice senior campaign...Could be one of the top sleepers in the Draft."--NFL Draft Countdown

Aric Williams, CB, Oregon State

"Due to other standouts in the secondary, Williams may not have received the notoriety that he has deserved in the past, but opposing coaches recognize him as an excellent cover player. He also has good bloodlines as his cousin, Shaun Williams, was a standout safety and All-Pac 10 Conference selection at UCLA before spending the last seven seasons with the New York Giants."--Sportsline.com

One other interesting draft-related note. If you were a little surprised that the Birds didn't grab a center in the draft to push Hank Fraley this training camp, the Trenton Times quotes Andy Reid saying that fifth-round pick Scott Young, a guard at BYU, has the potential to play center. We'll see if Reid's serious about grooming Young to back up Fraley, or will continue to have Alonzo Ephraim and last year's seventh-round pick Dominic Furio behind Fraley on the depth chart.

Draft Day 2

As I suggested in yesterday morning's post, the Eagles did grab a safety and some OL depth with their picks on Day 2 of the draft. They were able to grab a couple of picks for next year--Dallas' fourth- and sixth-round selections--but I was a little surprised they couldn't get more for 2006. Instead they sent three of their lower picks to Green Bay to move up in the fourth round--it felt to me like they were shedding picks more than anything else. You definitely never know how Day 2 picks will pan out, especially with Andy Reid's love of drafting small-school offensive linemen in the hopes of uncovering a super-sleeper. Here's what I've been able to cobble together about these picks:

Sean Considine, S, Iowa (4th round):

"A good-sized athlete with good computer numbers. Should be an effective player in a two-deep system. Productive on special teams in the past, which is how he'll earn his paycheck at the next level."--SI.com

"I thought he would go yesterday. He really played well this year and impressed people at the combine. "--Gil Brandt, NFL.com

"A safety that runs a 3.92 short shuttle cannot be ignored. I thought that was a great pick."--Pat Kirwan, NFL.com

Todd Herremans, OT, Saginew Valley State (4th round):

"A player who has seen his stock soar in the months following the season...One of the top sleepers in the draft and a great developmental prospect."--NFL Draft Countdown (The site's #9 draft sleeper)

"[He] has a good frame and some quickness. He'll need a lot of technique and strength development."--Brian DeLucia, Ourlads, for Foxsports.com

"Herremans is a towering offensive tackle with a large wingspan that he uses very well to stave off the outside pass rush. He is a steady, competitive player with experience at both left and right tackle during his career with the Cardinals."--NFLDraftScout.com via Sportsline.com

Trent Cole, DE, Cincinnati (5th round):

Yet another undersized, quick pass rusher.

"Has some interesting tools and his athletic ability alone will get him a look...Won't be a good fit for every team but could succeed in the right scheme such as the 3-4."--NFL Draft Countdown

"A defender best making plays up the field, Cole must now learn to play in space. Used at outside linebacker during the Senior Bowl and struggled. May be best standing over tackle in a 34 defense."--SI.com

"Trent is a fine athlete who lacks bulk and size to play as a down lineman at the pro level. He added over fifteen pounds to his frame during the 2004 offseason and the increased strength was evident in his play. Still, he gets engulfed by the bigger offensive tackles when working in-line and is best when being allowed to roam the field or coming off the edge through a clear lane. He can run down plays from the backside and shows good hand usage on the perimeter to gain separation and make the play. He lacks the ideal strength needed to take on and shed working inside and is slow to disengage and make the play at the point of attack."--NFLDraftScout.com via Sportsline.com

Scott Young, OG, BYU (5th round):

Was listed as #68 on Mel Kiper's draft board, but fell past pick #170, probably due to the fact that he only played guard for one season. But you know that Andy Reid loves to bring in his BYU boys.

"Young is one of the most powerful athletes in the college football ranks. The former defensive lineman made a successful switch to the offensive side of the ball as a senior, establishing himself as one of the best drive blockers in the Mountain West Conference."--NFLDraftScout.com via Sportsline.com

"Doing a considerably fine job his first year on the offensive line, Young offers good potential for the next level. Needs time, repetition, and a lot of development, yet has the physical and mental abilities to succeed."--SI.com

"Former defensive tackle...Far from a finished product but an interesting developmental guy with a lot of upside...Could end up being a steal if he continues to improve."--NFL Draft Countdown

Calvin Armstrong, OT, Washington State (6th round):

"Has the tools you look for but never developed in[to] a dominating player...Could end up being a better pro than college player with the right coaching."--NFL Draft Countdown

"A hard-working lineman with outstanding size, Armstrong has been a productive collegiate blocker who is well thought of in the program. Possesses the abilities to play at the next level, yet must step up the intensity and physical nature of his game."--SI.com

Kenyotta Marshall, DT, Grand Valley State (7th round):

This guy's going to make Hollis Thomas look Pinkstonesque. Almost.

"Marshall is a short (6-0 5/8, 338, 5.25) defensive run stopper. An inside run stuffer."--Gil Brandt, NFL.com

David Bergeron, ILB, Stanford (7th round):

"A heady and tough defender, Bergeron is best up in the box or playing downhill. Has potential on the inside for a 34 defense and should be a steady role player."--SI.com

"If you are looking for a team leader and quarterback of the defense this is your guy...Has the looks of at least a good backup at the pro level due to his makeup."--NFL Draft Countdown

A little later, I'll try to collect some opinions and grading from draft "experts."

Draft Day 1 Impressions

In a bit of a surprise, the Eagles decided not to trade up the first round, and, in fact, didn't trade a pick until the second one in Round 3, which the team to San Francisco for the Niners fourth-round pick and its sixth-rounder. It seems highly likely that the team will trade some of its Day 2 picks in order to amass 2006 draft picks, never a bad strategy, especially since the team has frankly had better luck with rookie free agents than Day 2 picks.

There's been some complaints on Eagles discussion boards that the team's first round pick, USC DT Mike Patterson, is too short for the NFL at 5-11. But the fact is, Hollis Thomas is only an inch taller and has had success at this level, and Patterson's a much more explosive player than Thomas. I may be slightly biased, having attended USC for grad school, but with Travis Johnson and Luis Castillo off the board, Patterson was the most productive tackle available.

With Thomas unhappy with his contract, and Corey Simon likely gone after this season, getting another DT was obviously a priority. For the upcoming season, it means Darwin Walker can play more at end. Here's what some sources have to say about Patterson:

"A terrific, and fortuitous, pick for the NFC champs. Patterson is an active guy in the middle -- though maybe not big enough -- who will learn from a veteran defensive line and will, as these things always go, get some playing time when someone gets banged up."--John Donovan, SI.com

"Underrated: Mike Patterson, USC. Besides Matt Leinart, Patterson, even more so than fellow defensive tackle Shaun Cody, was the single most important piece of the Trojans' consecutive national title teams. Trojans head coach Pete Carroll raved on numerous occasions of Patterson's unique ability to disrupt opposing offenses by exploding into the backfield to make one big play after another. Imagine my surprise, then, when I loaded up [SI.com's] Don Banks' most recent first-round projection and saw Oklahoma tackle Jammal Brown -- whom Patterson bulldozed in the Orange Bowl -- but no Patterson. The reason, of course, is that he's undersized -- just shy of 6 feet, three inches shorter than most prospects at his position. But what he lacks in height, he makes up for both in width (292 pounds, about the same as top-ranked tackle Travis Johnson) and unmatched quickness, and I find it hard to believe a guy who was so dominant at such a high level in college won't become at least a reliable starter at the next level, one worthy of a first-round pick."--Stewart Mandel, SI.com

"Patterson could be called 'Going Jessie' -- a term used for a guy that never stops playing hard. That's Patterson. They double- and triple-team him, and he still produces. His only negative is his height, but he does compensate for it with 32-plus-inch arms. He's a really good player."--Gil Brandt, NFL.com

"Mike Patterson is an undersized fire plug nose tackle who can be very disruptive inside. Corey Simon will learn a lesson in how to play hard every down from him. The Eagles like to 'zone dog' their defensive linemen into coverage, and Patterson has the athletic ability to do that. I know Patterson very well, and he will give the Eagles the same things John Randle gave the Vikings and Seahawks."--Pat Kirwan, NFL.com

"The rich get richer. Mike Patterson is another of my favorites. He will come into Philadelphia and be an immediate impact player. Patterson is a force against the run and the pass, and will be both for the Eagles. Grade: A"--Pete Prisco, Sportsline.com

"I really like Patterson's potential as a one-gap defender. He displays tremendous quickness through the gap to make plays in the backfield. At the same time, I question the value of this pick. Most teams had Patterson graded in the late second and early third due to his lack of size and test score. Eagles' defensive coordinator Jim Johnson will put Patterson in a position to make plays, but this move does nothing to improve their ability to anchor at the point."--
Brian Delucia, Ourlads Scouting, for Foxsports.com

"All I know is he was USC's best player. I love him. He can really play. You have to be concerned about his height. Can a 5-11 kid play defensive tackle in the NFL? I think he can."--an AFC scout in the Trenton Times.

"When you talk to other players, offensive linemen, running backs, you ask them who was the best player they played against last year. A lot of them say Mike Patterson."--an NFC scout in the Trenton Times.

As for Round 2, Reggie Brown from Georgia adds depth to the wideout position, with the imminent departure of Freddie Mitchell. He isn't the quickest, and he isn't the biggest, but he is bigger and faster than Mitchell. What sayeth the draft "experts"?

"Brown was graded as a first-round pick by several teams. He's a smooth athlete who can make big plays with the ball in his hands. He will drop some, but snatches the ball well for the most part. He reminds me of Torry Holt."--Delucia, Ourlads Scouting, for Foxsports.com

"One of the two Georgia receivers in this draft that created a terrific passing attack in Georgia. In talking to the Eagles coaches, they wanted him to be there in the second round. He has good speed and good athleticism. He impressed me at the Senior Bowl with his route running and his hands. He snatches the football. He needs some work on routes over the middle, but in an interview I had with him, he convinced me he was willing to work at it. This should spell the end of Freddie Mitchell's stay in Philadelphia. A very good pick. "--Kirwan, NFL.com

"Reggie Brown has plenty of athletic ability, especially speed. The big question with him is, does he have the motivation to realize his full potential? He hasn't shown it on a consistent basis in college. Andy Reid and the Eagles' coaching staff are capable of pushing him to produce more as a professional."--Brandt, NFL.com

"He's a big, strong kid. He was the only wide receiver that actually bench-pressed at the combine, and he kind of showed off his strength a little bit there. He's a good run-after-the-catch receiver, and we look forward to adding him to the offense."--Andy Reid in the Philadelphia Inquirer.

With their second pick in the second round, the Birds selected San Diego State OLB Matt McCoy, who Mel Kiper Jr. claimed was one of the biggest movers up the board as the draft approached. (Incidentally, Kiper said on the ESPN 2 telecast that he loved the Eagles' draft thus far. I don't know if that should make me feel better or worse.) As with many outside 'backers coming out of school, McCoy is quick but undersized at 235 pounds, but apparently is one of those high-motor guys who can probably contribute on special teams right away.

"McCoy might be on the small size, but plays big. He's fearless and displays good athletic ability. He shows good burst to the ball."--Delucia, Ourlads Scouting

"McCoy wasn't invited to the combine. If you look at the Michigan film, he was credited with 16 unassisted tackles. Very good speed, high-production player and also should be a very good special teams player."--Brandt, NFL.com

"He's a good coverage linebacker with excellent speed. He's tough like Ike [Reese], but quicker. He can really cover."--Eagles defensive coordinator Jim Johnson in the Trenton Times.

Finally, the team grabbed a running back, Louisiana Tech's Ryan Moats, with their first third-round pick. Like Brian Westbrook, Moats is small (5-8), but quick, and perhaps a better inside runner, though he didn't catch the ball much. The pick signaled that the trade for Travis Henry was shelved, and that the Eagles will start grooming Westbrook's replacement.

Quick Day 2 predictions--a safety as insurance if JR Reed's injury is long-term, depth at the offensive line, a kick returner (again, due to Reed's injury), and a few trades to get picks for next year.

Regarding Henry

I still can't quite believe Travis Henry would be happy only getting 20 touches a game in the Eagles offense, but the rumors continue to swirl about the team trading one of its two third-round picks today to the Bills for the running back. You can't argue at the logic of the deal--Henry's still only 26 and a proven back, a lower (if pricier) risk than picking a college kid and hoping he pans out.

The fallout, of course, is Brian Westbrook's likely exit from the team after next season: Currently he and his agent think he has much more value than the Eagles do, so even without a trade, a long-term agreement between the two sides wouldn't be likely in the near term. It also alters the draft strategy at the RB position. If the Birds don't wind up acquiring Henry, I think the team looks hard at a back like Cal's J.J. Arrington in the third round. Arrington, one of the few backs that was able to run successfully against USC's vaunted run defense, has the same height as Westbrook (5-9) and is more of a complete runner, though he lacks Westbrook's elusiveness.

But if the trade goes down, the team might take a chance on a Westbrook replacement in the middle rounds in the form of Kansas State's 5-7 speedster Darren Sproles. Sproles has a relatively clean injury history despite his munchkin-like size, unlike Westbrook and last year's similarly sized seventh-round pick Bruce Perry, who promptly suffered a season-ending shoulder injury signing his contract. (Joke, folks). He can catch the ball out of the backfield as well as return kicks, an important consideration with JR Reed's injury being potentially career-ending. Would the team be willing to overlook his miniscule size in the hopes of landing a new Westbrook? We'll find out soon enough.

A Few Names for This Weekend

Is anything the Eagles are going to do in the first round surprise you tomorrow, short of picking a quarterback or maybe a corner? Between problem-child receivers, defensive tackles unhappy with their long-term deals (or lack of one), aging offensive tackles, and J.R. Reed's and Chad Lewis' injuries, no one projected to be the Eagles pick at #31, or anyone they'd trade up for, could come as a real head-scratcher.

So rather than pretend I know enough to be successful at predicting the Birds, or any other team's, draft board, I figured I'd throw a few names out that struck my interest. Some have been bandied about a lot, others might be a bit obscure. In either case, I doubt the Eagles will pick too many of these guys, confounding us as they sometimes do, but it'd be an interesting training camp if they did.

Center of Attention
Hank Fraley's rise from obscurity to Super Bowl starter is an inspiring story--as long as you leave the actual Super Bowl game out. It was clear that the middle of the Eagles' O-line was a little soft, so it wouldn't shock me if the team wanted to upgrade the center position. The two top prospects in this draft are Mississippi's Chris Spencer and Michigan's David Baas. Baas could also provide depth at guard, and Spencer has been mentioned in a number of places as one of the best center prospects to come along in years, even though he only switched from guard before last season.

Tackling Dummies
Two DT prospects that many mock drafts from March had the Eagles selecting with either pick #31 or #35 were Wisconsin's Anttaj Hawthorne and Northwestern's Luis Castillo. Then Castillo failed a steroid test and Hawthorne tested positive for marijuana. How far will they fall now? Castillo has attempted to do damage-control by sending a letter to all NFL teams explaining that he only used the drugs to speed his recovery from an elbow injury before the combine, and Northwestern coach Randy Walker claims he never tested positive during his college career. He probably won't fall as much as Hawthorne--what kind of letter could he write? Either way, will the poor judgement both showed keep them from being the kind of "character" guys the Eagles like to draft? If so, they might not pick a tackle until late on Saturday, if not on day two.

Receiving Line
Georgia's Reggie Brown isn't the fastest or tallest receiver in the draft, so he's seen as more of a second-tier guy behind Braylon Edwards, Mike Williams, Troy Williamson, and Mark Clayton, but he's got enough size and speed (and hopefully more smarts) to replace Freddie Mitchell. You could think of him as a value pick like the Colts' Reggie Wayne or Carolina's Keary Colbert were--possibly with more upside than the slower Colbert.

Every draft has a guy with great size and speed that is so raw that he winds up being picked in the middle round, like Seattle's Alex Bannister (who's never amounted to much) or Raiders TE Teyo Johnson . Matt Jones has already gone beyond that with scouts' drooling at his potential, but the kid I'm thinking of in this year's draft is Northern Colorado's Vincent Jackson, who has Mike Williams size (6-5, 24o lbs.) and Braylon Edwards speed (4.5) and Billy McMullen's draft prospects (3rd round). I mention McMullen because he's definitely on the edge of getting released, and Jackson would be an intriguing replacement. If Jackson is another small-college player who comes up big, he could be a T.O. replacement in a couple of years. Or he could be another Bannister.

Snap to It
If Virginia's Heath Miller drops to #31, you couldn't fault the Eagles for picking the best tight end prospect in the draft, especially since Chad Lewis and L.J. Smith are recovering from injuries. But if the team doesn't take Miller or Stanford's Alex Smith, there isn't good value at tight end until the middle rounds. What about going after a TE that can long snap? Yes, Mike Bartrum is one of the best, if not the best, long-snapper in the game for some time, but he's almost useless as a receiver. You're basically keeping a third true tight end off the roster for a long-snapper.

But Colorado State's Joel Dreessen and Boston College's Dave Kashetta are two TE prospects that can receive and long snap. Dreessen has a quicker 40 time, but both are the type of lunch-bucket workers with the right intangibles. Who knows if the Birds would be willing to get rid of security blanket Bartrum, though it couldn't hurt to take a flier on one of these two and see how well he snaps and plays. If not, the team could stay local with another mid-round tight end, Lehigh's Adam Bergen.

Back to School
Whether giving Chad Lewis a second chance, or giving Reno Mahe a chance, you know Andy Reid has a soft spot for guys from his alma mater, BYU. So don't be surprised if linebacker Brady Poppinga hears his name as an Eagles selection. He was previously a defensive end, so he could make the team as a backup LB or possibly as a pass rush specialist.

I'll try to get to a few more names before noon tomorrow ...

Why Not Matt Jones?

Presuming the Eagles don't trade up in the first round of Saturday's draft (with their first two picks), and that's a pretty big presumption considering their past history and plethora of picks, there's divided opinion about whether grabbing Arkansas QB/combine freak Matt Jones is too big a risk at the 31st or 35th pick. After all, while being projected as a wideout or tight end, he's solely been a quarterback at the collegiate level, which means he's never learned routes before, much less blocked. If he can't learn the position he's ultimately slotted into, he becomes another workout-warrior flame-out (insert requisite Mike Mamula mention here).

However, take a look at the handy run-down the Trenton Times ran the other day on the recent history of picks 31 and 35 over the last decade:

"The last 10 picks at No. 31:
1995- Trezelle Jenkins, T, Kansas City; 1996- Alex Van Dyke, WR, Jets; 1997- Rick Terry, DT, Jets; 1998- Leon Bender, DT, Oakland; 1999- Al Wilson, LB, Denver; 2000- Trung Canidate, RB, St. Louis; 2001- Todd Heap, TE, Baltimore; 2002- Robert Thomas, LB, St. Louis; 2003- Nnamdi Asomugha, CB, Oakland; 2004- Rashaun Woods, WR, San Francisco.

The last 10 picks at No. 35:
1995- Anthony Cook, DE, Houston; 1996- Mike Alstott, FB, Tampa Bay; 1997- Juan Roque, G, Arizona State; 1998- Tony Parrish, S, Chicago; 1999- Barry Gardner, LB, EAGLES; 2000- John Engleberger, DE, San Francisco; 2001- Alge Crumpler, TE, Atlanta; 2002- Kalimba Edwards, DE, Detroit; 2003- Charles Tillman, CB, Chicago; 2004- Igor Olshansky, DE, San Diego."

As my brother pointed out, picks at #35 have worked out a little better than picks at #31, but in neither case did the majority of picks turn out to be great players. In other words, it's already a bit of a crapshoot at this point in the draft, so why not take the player with a massive amount of upside instead of someone who maxxed out their athletic ability in college and will underwhelm as a pro (Barry Gardner)?

More than that, it's a foregone conclusion that any new receiver the Eagles draft will go through a massive learning curve with the team's offense, lasting two, if not three seasons. Would someone who was a signal caller in college be at that distinct a disadvantage in being able to pick up the nuances of the West Coast offense? An offense, mind you, that has humbled supposedly polished collegiate receivers like Billy McMullen, who'll be lucky to stay with the team in his third season. As has been widely reported by now (here, for instance), the Eagles sent a whole contingent to work out Jones, including bringing new backup QB Mike McMahon to throw to the potential receiver. Maybe they will be ready to roll the dice ...

R Diddy

If you live in the Philadelphia area, you really owe it to yourself to tune into WIP-AM from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. on Saturdays now that Ray Didinger is back from his post-Super Bowl break to share the air with Glen Macnow. You might know Didinger as an NFL Films analyst or one of the panel on Comcast Sportsnet's pre-game and post-game Eagles coverage (where he's ironically known as "R Diddy"; no king of bling is he). Those of you as old as I am or older may also remember him as a sportswriter for the long-gone Philadelphia Bulletin. (In fact, I learned on last week's broadcast that it was Didinger who coined the famous sentence, "Two thirds of the world is covered by water, the other third is covered by Garry Maddox.")

Whether you know him or not, Didinger's prodigious research and ultra-low-key approach are a healthy tonic from the bombast usually found on the popular AM station. (His partner is most useful in coaxing out little personal details about Didinger's bland life--in the last year, Macnow has gotten him to reveal that he's never finished an entire alcoholic drink and only watched "Seinfeld" one time in his life.) Last week, Didinger suggested that if the Eagles were to trade up in the first round on Saturday, their target could be Erasmus James. He also brought up Georgia wideout Reggie Brown as a "sleeper," in the sense that he has received little press compared to the WRs slated to go in Round 1, even though he should be a second-rounder and apparently impressed at the Senior Bowl.

During the season, Didinger is also essential listening to hear him break down the previous week's Eagles game and the next matchup. Since his job at NFL Films basically involves watching game film, he has greater insight than most local Eagles "experts."

I plan on turning down the volume on ESPN's draft-day coverage and listen to the radio instead; you should, too. (Unfortunately, there's no way to turn the sheen down coming off Mel Kiper Jr.'s super-slicked-back hair.) If you want another opportunity to see him in action this week, he's going to be one of the analysts on Comcast Sportsnet's draft preview on Thursday (tomorrow night) at 9 p.m. (Of course, more on the draft here in the coming days ...)

Travis Henry in Birds' Sights?

Foxsports.com's Jay Glazer has a source inside the Eagles, and he's not afraid to use it! First, he reported that the team was talking with the Ravens about trading Corey Simon, a deal apparently dead by the time Glazer's scoop hit the 'Net. Now he claims that the Eagles have talked to the Bills about trading a draft pick for disgruntled RB Travis Henry. He says the potential hold-up in the deal would be Henry's contract demands.

Never say never, but this seems to be more of a long shot than the proposed Simon deal for a couple of reasons. First, if Henry wasn't happy about splitting time with Willis McGahee, he won't be too thrilled sharing duties with Brian Westbrook (and Correll Buckhalter, if he's healthy), especially with Andy Reid's strong proclivity to pass more than run. Given that offensive philosophy, there's no reason for the team to offer Henry the lucrative deal he's looking for, especially with the ever-growing headache of the Terrell Owens contract. With a draft pretty deep with running backs, and with mid- and late-round RB picks proving they can contribute (just ask one of the 483 backs who's rushed for a 1,000 yards for the Broncos over the last few years), a younger, cheaper back picked in the middle rounds seems a lot more likely. But keep the tips coming, Jay.

Schedule's Out

I guess when your team dominates its conference and reaches the Super Bowl, you might not feel particularly daunted by its schedule the following year, which is how I feel looking at the Eagles just-announced 2005 schedule. (The Birds' official Web site breaks it down here.) The two toughest games appear to be the opening Monday night meeting with Atlanta on the road and a matchup with the Chargers at home. Games at Denver and St. Louis may be tough, as well as a home Monday-night tussle with the Seahawks.

But I tend to not to read too much into the schedule at this point. That rematch last year against the Panthers looked like a doozy, but by the time the game was actually played, Carolina was riddled with injuries and a shell of the team that came into the Linc and won the 2003 NFC championship. The Eagles had a harder time coming away with a win against the hapless Browns.

If nothing else, we can look forward to two Monday-night games at home, which will put the city on unofficial holiday on November 14 and December 5.

Honeymoon's Over. Is the Marriage?

Lo, to be an Eagles fan caught in the middle between Terrell Owens, his new agent Drew Rosenhaus, and their demand for a contract renegotiation, and the stone-faced, hard-assed Eagles front office, which is already leaking that T.O. wasn't quite the model citizen everyone was making him out to be last season.

Things really boil down to the poison pill in the current contract--the $5 million roster bonus in 2006. Would the Eagles pay it to a 33-year-old player, when they show little inclination to give many guarantees to players that age? And ESPN's Sal Paolantonio has the best plan to resolve this impending conflict in his latest online column: Rather than either tearing up the current deal or refusing to make any concession to T.O. at all, how about guaranteeing more of the 2006 salary?

"One suggestion being floated around is that the Eagles would just make some of the 2006 money guaranteed. In other words, no new money, just make sure Owens is going to get the money he was promised when he signed with the team last season."

That might be the simple, logical answer to the problem, but it doesn't come without risks. Three that come to mind: 1) It still has other players like Corey Simon and Brian Westbrook thinking, Why aren't they doing that kind of bending-over-backwards for me; 2) If T.O. re-injures his leg or suffers another bad injury, you're now a lot more on the hook than when you could refuse to tender the roster bonus; and 3) What if even that's not enough for Owens and Rosenhaus?

Risk 3 is the one that not only would scare fans, but also could really turn the public off. In fact, if the Eagles are concerned about making Owens the villain, offering to guarantee more 2006 money puts the figurative ball back in T.O.'s court: Would the gesture be enough for the wideout who talked about his loyalty to his teammates often last year, or would the old me-first guy re-emerge at the most inopportune time?

Stranger things have happened--like the Eagles pursuing Owens in the first place. Hopefully, Paolantonio's final thought reaches Joe Banner:

"Don't be surprised if the Eagles break another rule and find a way to pay him."

(And as if on cue, the Patriots renegotiated Corey Dillon's contract to guarantee him more money in 2006. According to his agent Steven Feldman, ""They stepped up and took care of him, even though he's on the wrong side of 30. This deal allows him to end his career as a Patriot.")

From Famine to Feast

If you've been bemoaning a lack of Eagles news lately, then the last 24 hours should have satisfied your curiousity. First, Les Bowen of the Philadelphia Daily News and Reuben Frank of the Trenton Times disputed (here and here, respectively) that Foxsports.com report yesterday that Corey Simon may be dealt to the Ravens for draft picks (see previous post below) .

Then today, ESPN.com's Len Pasquarelli reports that Terrell Owens has dropped his agent and signed up with superagent Drew Rosenhaus in order to renegotiate his deal with the Birds. Yes, the deal that already provided him with a $10.3 million signing bonus just last year. Pasquarelli points out ever-so-delicately: "Whether Eagles management is amenable to revisiting the contract after just one season remains to be seen." Let's see, your notoriously controversial star wideout wants to start a contract squabble while you're working on getting back to the Super Bowl. "Amenable" probably isn't one of the first 300 or 400 words that comes to Andy Reid's mind about the situation. Let's hope Pasquarelli's source is the same one as Foxsports'.

More hopeful news comes from the Delaware County Daily Times (thanks to the Philly.com Eagles forum for the link), which reports that the Eagles brought in Southern Illinois University running back Brandon Jacobs, another tempting size/speed specimen along the lines of Arkansas QB Matt Jones who transferred out of Auburn when he saw Ronnie Brown and Cadillac Williams ahead of him on the depth chart. Ever seen a 6-foot 4-inch 267-pound running back that can run 4.47 in the 40? Is he a fullback, an H-back, or what? We may find out soon.

Corey Simon to Ravens

Finally, some Eagles news, though you may or may not think it's good news. Foxsports.com's Jay Glazer is reporting that the Ravens are interested in trading draft picks for Corey Simon. The deal is apparently for a second and third round pick in the next two drafts, and contingent on the Ravens' agreeing to the type of big contract the Eagles aren't interesting in offering Simon. If this rumor were to be true ...

The Eagles would add another first-day pick to their trove of five for this year's draft, which mostly like means trading up, perhaps (surprise) for a defensive tackle to take Simon's place. The only sure first-round DT prospect is Florida State's Travis Johnson, who is leaner than Simon (especially after Simon's weight gain for the 2004 season), but similar in not being a massive run-stuffing tackle. NFL.com's Vic Carucci recently listed him as one of the five hottest players moving up draft boards:

"Excellent workout at Florida State Pro Day lends a great deal of credibility to the first-round status he gained after only one year as a starter for the Seminoles ... Personnel evaluators were blown away by his 4.90 clocking in the 40-yard dash, an extremely fast time for a defensive tackle ... Outstanding pass-rush skills and pursuit ability."

It also suggests that the Birds don't foresee working out any kind of contract extension with Simon, however dim those hopes were previously. According to Glazer, several teams have contacted the team about Simon, so if the Ravens fall through, perhaps another suitor will pony up picks for the franchise-tagged lineman. Obviously, it behooves the team to get something for him now if they can, since other than franchising him again, they'll have an unrestricted free agent on their hands with no chance at such upper-round compensation. A first-round pick as part of the deal would clearly be preferable, but the fact that one's not offered suggests the Eagles' limited leverage at this point.

And finally, it seems that the Ravens are letting bygones be bygones with the whole scenario that we "stole" Terrell Owens from them last off-season. Nothing like a good, available player to stem the flow of bad blood.

I'll be obsessively refreshing the Eagles' home page to report if and when the trade goes down ...