Eagles Free Agency Rumors: Live Updates

Happy Free Agency Day!

The NFL has probably the craziest opening to free agency, as there appears to be very little negotiation between player and team and there is a ridiculous amount of movement right off the bat. For instance, the absurd $100 million contract Albert Haynesworth signed to join the Redskins.

The Eagles have the 3rd most cap room in the NFL, and a couple extra draft picks, so it would be shocking if they don’t make some improvements. Today, I’ll be updating this page as I read rumors, much like I did for the MLB Winter Meetings, so check back here during the day for updates. Lots of interesting stuff going on already…

• Update (3:30pm): It’s official. Dawkins is gone. Not sure where we go from here. My thoughts on this here. 
• Saturday Morning Update (10:19am): Well, I woke up and got the news I was hoping for… Dawkins hasn’t signed yet and there is still a chance he could be an Eagle next year. Who knows how much of a chance, but a chance. Lito was officially traded to the Jets for a 5th rounder this year, and a 2nd or 4th next year, depending on how much he plays. Good work getting that 2nd rounder, now let’s hope Lito stays healthy. I would have preferred a 2nd rounder this year, but the Eagles seem to always be looking towards “next year.”    
• Update (8:35pm): Maybe not the last update…as Philly.com is now saying that while sides have agreed to terms, nothing has been signed. Dawk could still change his mind. Fingers crossed. 
• Update (7:52pm): Probably the last update of the night, as I’m going out to drink away my sorrows about B-Dawk. The Eagles are talking to the Jets about a Lito Sheppard trade. No word on what we would get back, but I’m thinking it would be something like a 3rd and a 5th or 6th. 
• Update (6:10pm): It’s looking like B-Dawk is really gone.  I just heard ESPN report that he accepted a 2-year deal with the Broncos.  This is news feels like a Brian Dawkins blindside hit on a receiver going across the middle.  Leaves you feeling hurt and in a confused stupor.
• Update (4:54pm): This better not be true. If we really lose Dawkins, the focus might be off McNabb for a bit and on how to stop the Linc from burning to the ground.
• Update (2:56pm): Anthony Gargano is reporting that the Eagles are going to bring in RB Derrick Ward for a visit. Personally, I don’t see how he is much different than Buckhalter.
• Update (2:27pm): Dawkins is visiting Denver per the Eagles website. I hope this is just a play on his part to get us to up our offer, but either way, it’s not a good sign. Also, my least favorite Eagle in recent memory, L.J. Smith, is off to Atlanta, and someone who challenged for that spot in my heart, Sean Considine, is off the Jacksonville.
• Update (1:15pm): Fox29 is reporting that the Eagles offered Brian Dawkins a 1-year contract, and he may test the market to see if he can get a multi-year deal. It would really be a tragedy to see him in another uniform.
• Update (12:24pm): There is a rumor in St. Louis that the Rams are considering trading Torry Holt to the Eagles for Reggie Brown and a draft pick. Don’t know if this is speculation, or has some legs.
• Update (11:05am): Houshmandzadeh (I can now spell his name without double-checking) is heading to Seattle for a visit. Hopefully he leaves without signing a contract. I haven’t seen anything that infers we have interest though.
• Update (11:05am): Not a FA update, but I’m wondering whether or not the Eagles will still target an OT in the first round. With the Andrews signing, they now have 6 starter-caliber lineman under contract in the Andrews brothers, Herremans, J. Jackson, Jean-Giles and Nick Cole. Reid believes Shawn Andrews or Herremans can play tackle, so it’s possible our line is set.
• Update (10:02am): Pro Football Talk is reporting that the Eagles have signed Stacy Andrews. Andrews plays RT, and if true, this would mean that either Runyan or Thomas (and maybe both) are gone. Andrews is the older brother of Shawn, and you have to think that having family so close will help Shawn battle the depression problems he had last year.
• The Bleacher Report is saying that T.J. Houshmandzadeh sent the following text message to 950 ESPN Radio in Philly: “I don’t know what’s gonna happen, but if they want me, I will be an Eagle tomorrow.” So…what’s exactly the hesitation on our part? This could get ugly if we don’t sign him.
• The Eagles have invited DE Antonio Smith (of the Cardinals) for a visit. Smith had just 41 tackles and 3.5 sacks last year. However, Scouts Inc. lists him as the 4th best DE available in FA and gives him the same overall grade as Tra Thomas. But, don’t we already have about 10 DE on the roster?
• The Inquirer is reporting that the Birds have interest in 25 year old Ravens center Jason Brown. With Jordan Gross signed, Scouts Inc. ranks Brown as the best available offensive lineman. He can play Center or Guard and started all 32 games for the Ravens the last 2 seasons. His grade of 77 means they have rated him as a “good starter.” If he doesn’t work out, they are also looking at Stacy Andrews, Shawn’s older brother. Stacy rates as a 75.
• Looks like Correll Buckhalter will sign with the Broncos, and potentially start. If this happens, I would expect a huge year from him and lots of groans about how underused he was in his time here.
• No movement on Tra Thomas, Jon Runyan or Brian Dawkins. Not sure what to make of it, though I expect at least Dawkins to return. I know they offered contracts to Dawk and Tra, but the players weren’t too pleased with it.
• We signed restricted FA’s Hank Baskett and Nick Cole to 1-year tenders. This means that if another team signs them to an offer sheet, we have 7 days to match or we get a 2010 2nd round pick.

Tagged as: Add new tag, Eagles Rumors

February 28, 2009