It seems that the quickest way out of town if you’re an Eagles player, is becoming 30 years of age or turning down one of the team’s contract offers. Long-time Eagles kicker and franchise scoring leader David Akers turned down extension offer and safety Quintin Mikell recently turned 30.
The Eagles have been right most of the time that they’ve said good-bye to players demanding too big of a contract or passing the magical age of 30. Still, I don’t think it should be the surest ways to be released from the team. Shouldn’t poor play be the main reason, you get released?
When getting released is tied in with salaries, it gives the impression that the Eagles see the contract of the player as being more important than their performance on the field. Getting rid of Akers is not a meaningless move. It means taking a major chance with a rookie in his place because like him or not, Akers have come through countless times for the Birds in his more than decade-long stay with the Birds.
Akers saw the handwriting on the wall after he missed the two crucial field goals against the Green Bay Packers in the Eagles playoff loss in January. In the locker room afterward, he talked that being his last game as if it was a bygone conclusion. Akers said during the interview that he had wanted to finish his Eagles career on top. He knew he had turned down their contract offer in December and I had found out that information before the game and reported it the next day.
Akers took things a step further by refusing to sign a tender offer the Birds made to him. It’s obvious that he feels it’s time to say good-bye and head elsewhere to get a better deal.
The Eagles made Akers an accurate predictor by drafting Nebraska kicker/punter Alex Henery in the fourth round. It wasn’t so much that they drafted him, but how early they drafted him that sent a message to the veteran Pro Bowl kicker.
Teams will slow to cut a kicker that they draft in the fourth round. If they had gotten him with a sixth or seventh round pick, they could release him and look on it as no big deal, but that’s not the case with a fourth round pick. It’s as if, Akers turning down that offer was taken as a personal afront by the Eagles front office.
Mikell knows his chances are slim because he turned 30 and is coming off an average year at best. He plays a position which requires a player to maintain their speed, he turned 30 and he’s asking for more money than the Eagles have ever paid him. The bottom line is Mikell won’t be wearing an Eagles uniform next season, unless he takes a substantial pay cut. 
It’s hard to argue on his behalf when he played on a unit which was the worst red zone defense in the last 25 years. It’s a wonder they’re going to bring anybody back from that secondary other than Astante Samuel.
The Birds used a second round pick for the second year in a row on a safety, this time Temple Jaiquawn Jarrett. Reid and company are confident that three young safeties can do the job back there. Rookies Nate Allen and Kurt Coleman got a lot of experience last year and will probably be the starters. It looks like they’ll be backed up by Jarrett.
I talked to Mikell before the draft and he was still hopeful to get an offer from the Birds, I could tell that deep down inside, he had a feeling about what time it was. Now he knows with an even greater certainty that he’s not likely be wearing the midnight green again.
Two thoughts:
On Akers – not only did he turn down a contract extension – the Eagles tendered him and he refused to sign… so at what point do the Eagles move on?
On Mikell – he wasn’t that good last year – he has had a decent career – but this is definitely one postion the Eagles could upgrade. I honestly thought Sean Jones would put him out of a job – not a big lose here if he moves on.
the 2ndary will be much better this year.
akers looks like he is on the move, more to his choice. the eagles covered themselves by selcting a kicker in the draft. would he be there at round 5 maybe, round 6 not likely. so grab a solid college player instead of grabbing someone elses reject. their is also the chance akers stays and this guy becomes the punter.
neither of these guys had a stellar game against green bay when it mattered . even if there contracts were not up . i could see the birds at least trying to upgrade.
The Eagles hired an Offensive line coach to be their Defensive Coordinator.
They drafted slow linebackers in a division with elite TEs.
They drafted 2 RBs for a team that does not run and has a PROBOWL caliber RB in his Prime on the roster.
They drafted no defensive line help.
Just remember that when you hear them say that they are “doing everything they can” to win a superbowl.
Let that sink in. Who hires a Offensive Line coach to be a Defensive Coordinator in the NFL??? They could have robbed somebody off the Superbowl champions team and made them weaker and us stronger, instead CRYSTAL BALL used the force to get a vision of an offensive line coach.
Absolutely no respect for the fan base.
Only Andy Reid could look into his CRYSTAL BALL and see that.
Add the “80 year old” drafted in the first round. The oldest in the history of the NFL. and the circle is complete.
Vick….stay healthy. you’re our only hope.
No Surprise about Akers or Mikell and really didn’t need to wait to Draft Weekend but this makes it somewhat official now.
#1) Akers was done the day he turned that Eagle Offer down in December and there is no way the Eagles will offer him anything to return.. He will get a big offer from the NO Saints who still are searching for a reliable kicker and by playin in a dome, Akers could play for another 3-4 Years easy
#2) Mikell was done by his overall play and limitations of not being able to make big plays consistently as 2 Safeties were Drafted last year and now another 1 this year… I bet Mikell has the team record for most dropped Int’s in his career.. There almost wasn’t a game that would go by were he was in great position to make the Pick but could never come up with it.. He’s had a good career and will end up with the Saints,(his home state) or Cowboys (who could use a veteran Safety who is familiar with the NFC East) or even the Panther to re-unite with S McDermott who was the Secondary Coach and has had a long relationship with and could become the QB of that PAnther Secondary for a year or 2 since they have lots of young guys and Mikell can help reinforce whatever schemes McDermott is putting in place there..
You could add a few more players to this list of Eagle Players who will be moving on from Philadelphia and who are currently not under contract and most likely won’t receive an offer from the Eagles
LB’s – Sims,Gaither for sure and Jordan is about 40/60
DB’s – E Hobbs for sure and D Patterson is about 30/70
OL – R Wells,Nick Cole for sure and MJG is about 40/60
I do think Eagles offer contracts and want to keep the following players
LB S Bradley, FB O Schmitt, RB J Harrison, P Sav Rocca
but there is not guarantee that any of these would stay or not maybe get more $$$ or a better opportunity elsewhere
BSM – The Eagles hired an Offensive line coach to be their Defensive Coordinator!!!????? WOW Thanks for the news.
And why do you think Dion Lewis can’t run – 1799 yards rushing and 17 TDs last year as a sophamore at the same school as McCoy. And you say the kid can’t run!? Sure…. whatever. You’re welcome to say you wished they didn’t draft a RB because you wanted DL help, but don’t say he can’t run. That’s just flat out INCORRECT
You way that the Eagles are a team that does not run, but they do throw to the RBs and they do run, just not a whole lot. If our probowl caliber RB does get injured (you know what, that happens sometimes in the NFL, not sure if you’re aware), um, there needs to be someone to step in. I trust that you can understand that – am I wrong?
You have no idea how those decisions will turn out but you act like you do. That’s messed up. And you assume that someone from Green Bay was available without knowledge. Man, BSM, for someone that I bet isn’t actually an AS^, you sure ASSume as if its your job.
BSM – Do you wake up daily asking what can go wrong? Stop being a negative nancy.
How do you know that we could have gotten someone from one of the superbowl teams to coach here? How do you know that castillo wont be a great coach? Do you think that people knew that Reid, Bellichek, etc. would be good coaches?
No one knows what you are truly capable of until you try it.
Its like these draft picks. For example everyone and their brother has annointed Pat Peterson as a “Shutdown Corner.” Before he has even played a down.
IMO, Andy Reid is a good coach.
I bet Petersen is playing the Free Safety position by 2012
Sure we can say the Eagles had it right by getting rid of most guys when they did. That’s not the problem. The problem is many of those guys weren’t adequately replaced. Even in their “old age” they were still better in the Eagles system than the guy that replaced him.
Anyhow, navy’s right….. Akers turned down the offer and wouldn’t sign the tender and Mikell isn’t that good. And in my opinion has never been that good. Sure, he looked promising playing next to an aging Dawk but when Dawk left, Mikell showed us who he really was. And Mikell, you are what we thought you were.
Here’s the thing though, even though Mikell isn’t that great, will the person they replace him with be any better. That has been the trouble, mostly for the defensive guys.
Schill..put a sock in it.
When Juan Castillo fails ..you will not come on here and say how idiotic an idea that was to him a coordinator…you’ll just wait for the next guy and claim.”No one knows how he’ll turn out”. Is that your argument to every valid point? No one knows?
You are pathetic
There’s defensive coordinators with pedigrees and assistants that’s better than a guy who have never called a game on any level of the game…Not in pop warner, not in college, and never in the pros.
and I still thinkSean MsDermott was thrown under the bus by having him coach a team Reid decided to go into the season without a right corner and help opposite cole on the defensive line.
He was the scapegoat,…but I’ll tell you what..
Go into this season without signing a right corner and let’s see if Juan can stop this team from being torched by the good recievers who will be switched to that side only to exploit a weakness everyone can see except Reid.
Schill How do we know?
Because we see the same things from one season to the next.
Scorp, You hit the nail on the head. I agree with you 100% buddy.
B-vids and Songs..its a toss up for which one of you is the biggest tool.
B.S. crystal ball statements and yacking about a D-cord who has more knowledge about NFL d’s then you know. He was a o-line coach…kinda have to study defenses to be good at that huh? And i trust him more the Sean. yeah they threw him under the bus a bit. But you know what …CALL A F’N BLITZ THAT WORKED IN THE P-OFFS!!!HE WACHED JJ FOR HOW MANY YEARS!!?LATER!
Jarret will impress…i saw him play a few times and he is a killer.
Roseman showed he paid attention to past draft failures. He completly showed he knows what this team needs this year. Drafted for the future as well.
And last time i checked every coach scout and personel person in the NFL and most notably the Eagles knows more about football then all of us. CAUSE WE GET PAID TO DO OTHER STUFF!
I think Coleman and Allen/Jarret are much better then Mikell. Coleman showed serious balls in the Vikes game.
Akers time is over. The rook can bomb it. Thanks for the game winner VS. the Giants in 06′ and your an Alltimer.
Oh wait..i bet one of you feels qualified to be a a scout. You’d be fired in a year.
I dont wanna see Sav rocca and his mug again. Whats another term for a prison weapon…a Sav Rocca punt….A SHANK!!!!!
Erock…if Juan was the guy who worked close and watched JJ closely……why didn’t he get the job over Sean Mcdermott?
Wasn’t we told the same line with Sean McDermott?
This whole “turn 30” thing is utterly retarded. They don’t like to give long term deals to players over 30. That’s the issue. How many have been here after 30? Quite a few. How many have left and been productive? Not very many.
Mcdermott got the job because he was calling the plays the year before when JJ couldnt leave the booth.
The whole offensive lineman coach to d-cord argument is b.s.. I have coached football and look forward to getting back into in the fall. Youth,h.s.,college ,and pros. Position coaches fly all over the place. In the pro’s most guys who played the position are suitable for that coaching spot. But bottomline….its blocking tackling throwing running catching and kicking. And teaching guys to be instinctive. You either can teach or not. Juan has his peers respect. And i’ve never seen a coach a Eagles camps be more fired up and knowledgable. And i have been goin up to camp since they had em at West Chester….were you could high five the players when they left the field.Juan will be fine.
This is like arguing with your buddy after he married a quenn b!Tch…the damage is done….he’s not playn PS3 twice a month with us anymore.Its once a month. Its over.And he cant leave without body spray to cover the ale and smokey smell.
Nmamdi and Ray Edwards? Can we get em both?
These are the agents im looking at…maybe Babin.
OH YEAH…U-S-A..U-S-A..U-S-A!!!
Songs, I’m no Erock, but Juan didn’t get the job at that point because we didn’t have Howard Mudd.
And we weren’t told the same thing about McD. McD was touted as JJ’s heir apparent/mentee etc…
But Juan and JJ had a special after hours game film thing going on that was on their own time, not a specific ‘grooming him for the position’ thing, but just coach to coach conversations… it’s a different thing (sorry if it’s above your head, I know you are impervious to nuance)
songs, it’s so hilarious that you constantly say ‘the same thing every year’
So last year going into the season, Kolb was the starter. This year its Vick. They’re the same thing, Kolb and Vick right
Last year the D coordinator was Sean McD. This year it’s Juan. Same thing right?
Last year we drafted heave DL. Same as this year right?
They trade out of the first round every year right? This year too right?
They never draft good stud WRs right? Desan, Maclin, Avant, Cooper. Same thing right?
They never make a big splash in FA/Trades. Owens, Kerse, Peters, Vick, Samuel……Same thing right?
They always just promote Reid coaches. Every year right? Jauron, Mudd, Washburn. Same thing right?
They never draft big hitters: Mathews, Jerret. Same old thing right?
They never draft tall CBs. Lindley, Marsh. Same old thing right?
They never use the FB. Weaver, Schmidt. Same old thing right?
The only thing that’s always the same is your predicable repetitive whining Songs. Period
Schill…Was that thhe right move making Sean McDermott the Defensive Coordinator?
yes or no?
By chance did you notice during the draft how many teams have’t been in the play-offs during the last 10-20 years? (even the cowboys O’NCE since 1996). I really appreciate how lucky we are to be competitive almost EVERY year. Most of the guys here are too young to remember the agony of 4 win seasons – year after year. If we are there every year, one day it will be our turn (like the Colts)
Songs, that sir is a stupid question. And you know that. Of course in hindsight it is. Nobody can sit here, after the way that defense played last season, and say that it was the right move. Now I (think) you’re not a stupid person. So then, WHY would you ask a stupid question? Because you’re often behaving stupidly on here.
You know in hindsight that it was a bad move.
Do you know what hindsight means?
I think S McDermott was obviously rushed before he was ready but I don’t balme him .. What was the succession plan of th Eagles once JJ became Ill
JJ’s illness went thru him extrememly fast and to be honest, I don’t think the Eagles were prepared as they could have been and really had little choice with OTA’s/Camp About to open to name MCDermott the DC.. I think McDermott tried his best but it was not like he had a real good or experienced staff working with him either that 1st Year.. It was a bad situation made worse and unfortuantely for McDermott, he becomes the fall guy 2 Seasons later. I think AR handled it poorly and I think he Realized it also after last season which got his wheels spinning about bringing in quality,experienced Coach to support him and improve the team and it’s players..better late than never.. Now he has a great Staff in place so no more excuses..
OK schill we agree…it was the wrong move to give Sean McDermott the defensive Coordinator’s job…and if Reid thought he had a better defensive Coordinator on staff (Juan Castillo) he would have promoted him instead..So, don’t give me the offensive line Mudd spill Reid blew up your ass. The same Reid who sold us a not ready for the NFL McDermott sold us an offensive coordinator that have never coached a defense in the NFL.
Now, the real problem with this is the fact he never did it will be the excuse to give him another season next year…like we did for McDermott before firing his incompetent ass.
See where this is going?
It’s never ending yet Reid stays constant. He refuse to hire a coach that can actually take his job..so he hires these incompetent minions who eventually gets the blame so he can sell us another.
McDermott…now Castillo
How many bad years should we endure under Castillo before we can say…he was a mistake?
A few things I need to get off my chest…
I think the eagles drafted players that were to replace the veterans that they would drop like akers, mikkell, sims, half of oline, j. Harrison…etc
Also didn’t andy say he would only name castillo d coordinator if he could find a legit replacement, so maybe he couldn’t find one last year so he hired sean mcd.
I rather go after nmandi and a lb rather than a de because our backers are terrible.
why can’t anyone take the positives out of things instead of the negatives?
Why do people hate andy? Its not like the guy doesn’t win… look at toni dungi, great coach and only won one championchip in his final year.
And I like pmans post sometimes because he tries to make things realistic because anyone can say I want the 10 best players in the draft… I feel like pman says things based on the likelihood of it happening.
Erock – you get it. I coached (past tense) and switched up every year. I am probably best at OL, but had a great season as a D Coordinator and pitched 6 straight shut outs. Porblem is coaching is physically and mentally exhuasting and the pay sucks!
Castillo will do fine as a DC. One things that has to be kept in mind is teams needed to plan for a lockout and shortened off season/pre season. Had you brought in a new coach/ entirely new system, that may have led to problems.
McDermot inherited the postion, he did about C work – but everyone gave him the benefit – then the eagles got Jauron and he had a second year and he did about C- work then he was let go.
Phan 4 – I agree – our LBs were horrid last year. I posted a statistical analysis of teams passing against our defense (think Green Bay) and it wasn’t the WRs it was the check down to the RBs
Songs, to answer your question at the end of your post – How many years should we endure under Castillo till we can say it was a mistake –
Answer is …….. > 0
See you fool, you are declaring something a mistake before it happens. That’s way more insane that that dumb ‘definition’ (which it is not) of insanity that so many of you negadelphians quote so often.
Doing something over and over again and expecting a different result is one thing (what about hammering a nail?, swinging at a pitch in baseball?) but declaring something a mistake prior to it happening…. that’s much much lower on the intelligence scale
Of course there’s an explanation for why you’re being so stupid about it – it’s called arrogance. you are so sure of yourself, you know the future.
Look, I don’t know how Castillo will do. I was puzzled and surprised by the pick, until I heard some reasoning. But Songs is a fool
The Philadelphia Eagles have never won a Superbowl. That’s not being negative thats a fact.
If they were honest, like Bill Bidwell and admitted that they are not trying to win one that’s one thing. But to lie thru your teeth to the most loyal fans in the NFL and claim you are doing everything to win one is another. It’s one thing to complain after the fact. I am pointing out a series of unlogical decisions that the front office has made.
Most people unstand that success leaves clues. And most people tell you not to try and reinvent the wheel. The Eagle hiring choice for DC is unpressidented in the history of the league. The 1st round pick is the oldest in the history of the league. The redzone defense was the worst in the past 25 years of the history of the league. These are facts. I don’t assume anything. These ARE FACTS!!
If your girlfriend is a former Prostitute then don’t be surprised when she cheats on you.
That of the blinders and be honest with yourselfs and demand that the front office be honest with you before you pay $300.00 like I did to take my boys to one game.
WE deserve a Superbowl. Not stupid decisions for the past 12 years. And excuses.
mr. bsm. you are a man posting on a website of largely little boys
G:
Akers and Mikell will get lucrative contracts and continue to play in the NFL. After a few months, I actually like the Castillo move. I have respected his coaching ability from afar, as he has gotten the most out of some free agents, and has helped make Pro Bowlers out of 1st and 2nd round picks. If the man can coach, he can coach. I’m not worried about him switching to defense, except that he better step in and prepare for the likes of Brees, Manning and Brady.
BSM – What would they do different to prove to you that they’re trying to win a superbowl? Please do tell. I’m expecting that it’s draft off of Mel Kiper’s wish list. Or become the Washington Redskins FA. Please do tell though, I’d love to, in Jakedog’s words, undertsand how ‘men’ on this site view the situation.
Jakedog, interesting, my understanding of the difference between Men and Boys wans’t that men whine and bitch….
BSM – It’s normally teams that do something innovative that are successful. Then every other team in the league copies them. (e.g. the west coast offense, the shotgun formation, the 3-4 defense). Reinventing the wheel sometimes wins games.
Danny Watkins is far from the oldest kid ever drafted in the first round in NFL history. In fact he is not the oldest Eagles player drafted in the first round.
Not much of what you said are FACTS.
Come on guys coleman better then mikell. Now granted mikell had a ok season but at the same time what help has he had back there? The team has had zero pass rush, he lined up next to allen who was rookie! and then he got hurt then had to line up next to a 7th round draft pick in coleman who was also a rookie. Now coleman showed some balls but lets be serious here, hes not a starter! And on top of that we had patterson as a corner who he played well for a couple of games and then was garbage. I mean mikell had no help. Theres 11 other guys out there that other then samuel and cole played average. And we had mcdermott who was fired!! so how the hell can you say the poor guy has been bad. I would resign mikell to a deal something short term. But i know and you know the eagles are cheap.
As if they dont have money. There always 30 million under the cap and eagles fans by as much merchandise as any other fans in the nfl, if not more.
oh dawk, if you only understood….
– The Eagles aren’t chaep, they’re smart with their money
– If you don’t want them to have cap space, than that means that you want them to not extend Vick, Jackson, or sign Namdi.
lol schiller i have agreed with you many of times but the eagles are always way under cap…….always!!! And i still dont think they are gonna sign namdi at such a high cost when the guy is 30….hense the article.
schiller, you are just a retained mouthpieice for futility, under lomabardi’s standards, under the standards of any winner, let me clue you in on something schiller, the eagles haven’t won in the modern era of football, no super bowl championships, not one, but sheep like you and others here defend every move this organization makes, euphemistically defend their cheapness, “they are smart with money”, good one, the realists here know better, expect/demand more
dakw – ok man, ‘the eagles are always way under cap’ – have you done your homework to back that up? Or do you ‘just know’. If it’s the later, than I say you are full of crap.
Jake – we all get the superbowl record of the Eagles – I ASSURE YOU, nobody disagrees that the Eagles haven’t won a superbowl. Period.
I don’t defend every move they make. I really don’t. I DO contest a lot of the criticism against them (which IS a different thing if you’re able to understand that), which is quite often misguided or just plain bullshit).
I find it funny that you refer to yourself (and other negadelfs) as ‘realists’ – but in all ‘reality’, if you ran the books/made the financial decisions for the Eagles. They would literally never be able to sign big name or even decent free agents or resign their own good players. You guys would be the equivelent of people with credit debt charged to credit cards.
Wonder if anyone has thought that the Eagles just simple manage their Payroll a lot better than other team.. Stay away from overpaying players, limit pursuing or extending players contracts that are over 30 years of age..
I am not so sure that this is being cheap, I think it’s being smart with your $$$
Paulman…the Eagles are smart
They’re just not smart enough to win a superbowl.
I like the smart the Packers bring to the table. The Steelers….Patriots..Hell even the Saints were smart and they survived devastation ans still were able to put together a championship team.
Smart?
schiller is a seed blogger…..he combs sites to give a positive spin on the Eagles…even when there’s no reason to…..He was the same loser last year that told us to give McDermott a chance stating it was too early to judge…he also said the same for Hobbs…and not once did he come on here and say he was wrong in his assessment of those two….but he’s doing it again..
Now it’s an offensive line coach about to coach a defense that’s expected to win it all this year..
Here’s a question Schill.
s it unrealistic for the Eagles fans to expect Juan Castillo’s defense to compliment our offense and to the Superbowl this year ?
I agree Songs that they have never fully gone all out to win a SB, except for 2004 when they got TO, Kearse and signed Reno Mahe off the streets
But the Eagles field a competitive team year in year out, Sell out the Linc and everything else that goes along with it as far as local TV Ratings, local avertising, all the Merchandiing, and Camps and now you can even get married at the LInk..
This model has worked fantastic for the Owner and the Executive Staff..
Why would Lurie go out and authorize the FO to go out and spend another $40-$50 million on 3-4 more players who could maybe make the difference.. Does it matter in the big scheme of things as far as he is concerned…
Songs, to your question. Yes, that is unrealistic. Specifically because of the word ‘expect’.
As for me not coming on here and admitting I was wrong, I didn’t cause I wasn’t. My assessment wans’t that McD and Hobbs would succeed, so I wasn’t wrong.
The Eagles payroll is right up there in the top 10 in the league over the past 10 years. The salary cap can be a little deceiving when it comes to what a team actually spends. Let’s put it this way – the Eagles payroll was higher than several teams that have won super bowls. If spending money on free agents is what it takes to win games the Redskins should be a dynasty.
I would say that the biggest reason the Eagles have not won a super bowl over the past 12 years is because for 11 of those years they had a QB that couldn’t catch his breath in big games. The Eagles chances of winning a super bowl got much better last Easter.
That’s just my opinion.
Irish, I’d have to agree, to an extent. I don’t think it was just catching his breath, but I’m convinced (here you are Songs), that McNabb had ‘head game’ problems from the Philly/natioal fans and media that he was unable to overcome – which specifically manifested to the worst in big games.