This Firday is going to be remembered in Philadelphia for years to come. We’ve got to come up with a name for this day. What a three or four hour stretch. Howie Roseman, Joe Banner, Andy Reid and the Eagles find a way to bring Nmandi Asomugha to town and a few hours later, Ruben Amaro Jr. make the move necessary to get Hunter Pence. That’s a beautiful thing.
I’m going to be looking for a name for this day when I’m on 610-WIP Saturday night from 7-11pm.
Now we’re sitting here with three Pro Bowl corners, Asomugha, Asante Samuel and Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie. We left the Cowboys and Jets standing there with their mouths open but nothing to say. You and I know that the Eagles can play the salary cap like nobody else in the league.
Ed Wade gave us yet another assist. He’s been more valuable to the Phillies as the Astros GM than he was to the Phils when he was the GM here. He must get a thrill out of seeing the Phillies do well. Pence will be able to hit behind Ryan Howard and force pitchers 
to throw him some fastballs. The Big Fella needs to patiently wait on his pitch because they’ve got to come to him now.
We didnt’ have give up Vance Worley or Domonic Brown. Somehow Amaro Jr. was able to talk the Astros into giving him some money as well. How do you do that? He must have some pictures of Wade in a compromising position. Seriously Ed Wade has done a lot for the Phils.
I’d like to see the Eagles add a linebacker or two to the lineup. The Phils should see if they can add somebody else for their World Series Title chase.
Amazing! Speechless…
Gary, We can call it “Philly gives the sports world, the finger day.”
😆
I haven’t been this happy, since I lost my virginity in 10th grade, to a college girl. Ò_Ó
All Eyes are on Philly sports right now. Hopefully it will be this way in October and January too. Go Birds And Go Phils!!!
When can we buy our Asomugha shirts? The US dollar is so crap right now I might even buy two of them they’re so cheap for us offshore people :P. Just saying…
July 29, 2009 – Phillies acquire Cliff Lee
July 29, 2010 – Phillies acquire Roy Oswalt
July 29, 2011 – Phillies acquire Hunter Pence
It will always be remembered by me as phuradelphia’s “firday”
Ok with all the excitement going on lets chat about what else went on. We signed Donald Lee who will automatically be the backup tight end so does this mean Clay Harbor will be cut?
Also Vince Young as our Backup.. Im pretty sure we will see him sometime this season as a starter but im very interested to see how he performs in the preseason. I think this was the right choice at QB.
We also signed johnnie lee higgins which is sort of a question mark with our team having so many wide outs I doubt there will be a spot for plax in the roster.
Jason Babin who I dont think we talked about enough.. Where does this leave Brandon Graham? Looks like we’re keeping J. Parker who is at this time a better pass rusher than Graham is.
Paulman’s list of Comparable Milestones in Philly Sports News on a Friday throughout the years
#1) The Firiing of Richie Kotite
#2) The Hiring of Bobbie Clark as Flyers GM
#3) The Firiing of Bobbie CLark as the Flyers GM
#4) The Phils Acquiring SS Ivan DeJesus from the Cubs for 2B Ryne Sanberg
#5) The Sixers Trading C Moses Malone and acquiring Center Jeff Ruland to replace him
Good points Vricchini about the other players the Eagles signed
Here’s my take on the other Player Acquisitions and what they can bring
TE Donald Lee becomes the best blocking TE on the Team from Day #1, He’s very good in the Red-Zone and a big target with good hands..I do think Clayton Harbor makes the team as the 3rd TE but will be used more as a H-Back and split out wide on Double TE formations.. He is too athletic with upside to let go and may even see some reps at FB on certain formations..
But I do see Lee as a productive player which should allow Celek to go back to being a pass-receiver which is what he’s best at and instead of staying in to block alot like last year.. (Lee was actually on my list for the Eagles to acquire and think he can be a nice addition to this Offense)
WR J Lee Higgins is a Speed burner who can double as a Kick-Off/Punt Return man (as can DC-R), He’s about 5-11 and 190 lbs so he is not a physical player but can run and has decent speed, His career in Oakland was nothing exciting for he had some minor injuries, no stable QB over his 4 Seasons there, but he can compete as the 5th WR and help on SPecial Teams and depending what happens with D-JAx (extended Hold-Out or even if D-Jax ends up getting traded which is unlikley) this Higgins can run the Deep “Fly Route’s” well and extend defenses with his Speed
DE J Babin will be a roational player and get 30-35 SNaps a game mostly in Pass-Rushing Situations, He did improve his play last yeat versus the Run..
I have stated that DE B Graham will probabably not see the field in 2011 as he recovers from his major Knee Surgery from last December which keeps J Parker around to make the Squad for 2011.. The Ealges will employ Cole,Parker,Babin,Tapp, Hunt and either Teo Or Sapp as their 6 Man Roster of DE’s, with the top 4 Seeing most of the snaps .. I think Graham gets placed on IR and rehabs all year to be ready and 100% for next off-season and the 2012 Season and beyond.. they have too much invested in him to rush him out there if he isn’t healed
QB V Young is a Lowr-Risk- High Reward type of acquisition, With his career and reputation on the line of being a True # QB, he will need to come in, be focused and be ready to work and if Vick and the Eagles Coaches can run off on him and how to prepare himself for the mental part of the game (mastering th eplaybook, studying Film and opponenets tendancies, working with the WR’s/Te’s etc,etc then the sky is the limit for him where he could get another chance next year to lead another team.. Now if he comes in and doesn’t put the work in and plays the old victim game or is unhappy or unmotivated about being a back-up then his time in Philly will be short.. but I am sure he is smalrt enough to know that coming to Philly is a fantastic opportunity for him to re-establish his game, his confidence and his value to the rest of the NFL and with Vick’s agreesive style of play, has a very good chance to get in some games throughout the Season to show what he can do
His time in Philadelphia will be as good as he wants it to be if he’s ready to work for it which may be exactly what he needs..
(these opinions are Paulmans intellectual property and are by no means sponsered, by GCobb.com or by any of its contributors,advertisers or posters)
I woke up this morning and came straight to the computer, had to make sure yesterday wasn’t a dream.
Is Vince Young capable at this point in winning games for us? we saw kolb go down in game 1 and anything is possible. I read where Vince Young may be the 3rd string Quarterback that Reid has a ton of faith in Mike Kafka.
Also I think game 1 against the Rams the game plan will be to use Stephen Jackson a lot. I expect a ton of touches for him. I dont think theres no way in a game 1 situation will a coach ask his second year QB to throw at our Corners often. I think teams will now test our Linebackers more than we ever seen.
VR, Graham at best, will be out 10 games. He’s on the PUP list for
4-6 games. If he isn’t ready by then, he gets put on the IR list, & is done for the year. Which is the likely scenario. It’s very possible he won’t ever be the same again. That’s ashame, because he had a bright future. Oh well, GO EAGLES!
BIRDO, I just awoke, with the happiest hangover ever, & i’m still in shock.
WHich is why I like the 3 CB on the field at the same time (like the Packers do with Charles Woodson)
I would let Asmo/Samuel cover their sides of the field and have DCR roam in the middle and cover the TE’s..DCR is not physical or strong, bbut at 6-2 and he’s leaping ability and speed, there should no longer be opponenets TE’s running down the field wide open as in past Seasons…
vricchini, I know alot of people dont like Vince Young but one thing the man knows how to do, WIN! he’s done it on every level, you cant teach that, I’ll also say this, The money they gave Asomugha wasnt really that much different from the Jets, The one difference that swayed him in our favor was one person, VICK ! Same thing with VY, Everyone wants to play with him ! I’m so glad the Eagles took a chance on him and I’m soo proud of him for taking this second chance and making the best of it !
The new CBA elimiated the crazy 3rd qb rules. Young(although I don’t like him) can dress and play in short yardage. I hope he is used to run and takes some hits that Vick would otherwise take because he’s on a 1 year contract. the Eagles will get some type of compensatory pick for him in the 2013 draft. hopefully a fouth rounder.
Let me give my only critism of the Eagles moves. I’m not sure why the Eagles pro rated Kolb’s signing bouns from last year when they could have put it against last years unlimited cap. This would have eliminated the $6M in dead money against this years cap after the trade. That extra money could be the stud linebacker that the defense needs. Trading Samual had dead money cap ramifications that don’t create much more cap room.
That’s the only thing from the last few days I can complain about. I love all the activity.
Haynesworth would be here if Washington didn’t do all they could to keep him out of the NFC East.
Great points Andrew,
I am so pumped that I started working out again and could be the final piece for this Defense playing the Safety position.. I probably lost a step and am 20 lbs then my old playing weight, But I think I cn overcome these and help bring a Super Bowl Championship to Philly.. I can be like a poor mans Colt Anderson type and a good Special Teamer plus a good locker room teammate ..
Hopefully VY was humbled, by the whole process of this last year.
If Andy can get this kids head on straight & teach him up, he can become a very good, for real QB. His tools & athletics alone can be an asset.
GO EAGLES!!!
DDCar, For VY to come here knowing he’s gonna be a backup pretty much shows he’s humble, As far as Andy getting his head on straight an teaching him? Thats the last thing im worried about ! Gotta admit, No one does it better ! And dont forget Vick willing to take him under his wing ( something McNabb would NEVER do) is gonna do wonders for him.
jphalines, You make some great points but from whats being said the Eagles got in on Asomugha at the 11th hr so their was no way they could of got rid of Samual before, But i do agree on the Kolb point.
GM Roseman tweeted back and stated for me to stop my training and to keep my day job… I told him I appreciated the opportunity and was just trying to help out the team in anyway I could.. It looks like back to the bratwurst and beer which is not all that bad…
Anyone thinking of a trade with the Carolina Panthers
Samuel and maybe DT M Patterson and or a Dunlap to the Panthers for
RT Jeff Otah and one of their good LB’s.. (They have 4 very good LB’s under contract J Beason,D Connor, J Anderson and T Davis..)
This would help both teams fill needs and of course bring the Panthers 2 good Defensive players who are familair with their new DC McDermott and help the Eagles at RT and a LB position…
Andrew, you pretty much agreed with me. Those were the points I was trying to make. You ought to worried a little bit, the kid is immature & has emotional issues. But like you said Vick can help this kid out, alot.
I gotta admit, I hated Vick, but he has stepped up, & is doing all the right things.
I hope it isn’t a mirage & he doesn’t revert backwards, when he gets resigned.
Other teams in need of CB Samuel (AFC teams only) for you don’t want to trade Samuel to an NFC Rival Competitve team like Cowboys,49ers,TB Bucs
Bengals– Lost CB J Joseph to the Texans, have tons of $$ under the cap that they can afford Samuel’s Salary.. Maybe a trade for LB Keith Rivers and a 2nd Round Draft pick can seal the Deal
Bills — Need help at CB play in the AFC East vs the Pats,Jets,Dolphins which Samuel is very familar with since he played for the Patriots.. Bills have lots of Cap space to afford Samuels Contract.. I don’t know any current players the BIlls have that can help the Eagles at LB or OL so maybe a couple of Draft picks (a 2nd Rounder in 2012 and a 3rd or 4th in 2013) would work
Dolphins – can use a CB and have some players and depth at LB Position(Dansby,Koa Misi, C Wake and they just signed LB Burnett from the Chargers) and high Draft pick in return…
Paulman, Since the Cards picked up Bradly and need a corner we send them Samual for Dansby straight up ?
Arizona just signed Panthers CB Richard Marshall so sctract them off the list to be a team interested in Samuel
Back to my Panther trade scenario,, don’t be surprised if it happens for now the Panthers have a real need for CB..
SL Rams added veteran CB Al Harris to their team
49ers/Seahawks are alos in the market for A CB but I wouldn’t trade Samuel to a NFC Ppponent who are legitiamte Playoff Contendors, send him to the AFC or the Panthers (who are not playoff ready right now)
More NFL signings
KC Chiefs sign DT K Gregg who was released by the Ravens in a Cap move
Bears sign DE Vernon Gholston who was released by th eJets and was a bust his first couple years in the NFL, maybe a change of scenery will do him well, A low-risk-high reward type of situation
NO Saints re-sign Safety Roman Harper
Cowboys sign DE K Coleman from the Browns who played under the new DC Rob Ryan while at the Browns.
.
Giants still have not been able to come to terms with Free-Agents RB Bradshaw, WR S Smith, TE K Boss and have DE Osimayura holding out which is causing lots of Giant Fans unrest.. They cannot afford to lose Bradshaw,Boss, Osimayura or they will be in trouble …
A Samuel deal probably needs to be made with a player under contract. That way the team gets hit with the dead money and the Eagles are only on the hook for the base salary. There is only so much room for a linebacker, DJax and Vick’s number. The Eagles could sign vick long term to lessen the cap number and create more room this year(approx. $15M this year).
Namdipendance Day 2011.
The sports revolution has begun in Philadelphia!
It’s not easy trying to get Nnamdi and Pence to work in 1 word, not to mention have a Philadelphia twist.
Why does everyone want asante traded? This is a situation that defenses would dream of…3 pro bowl corners, 3 corners that can all be starters and lead there teams… I think they should hold onto the three and terrorize offenses…
Also did i not say after the acquisitions of haynesworth and ocho that the eagles will still have a better off seaso than the pats? I knew they had something up there sleeve… this was the biggest day in philly sports history
PAUL, you have too much time on your hands, my Paisano. TMI!
Do you have Agoraphobia? Get out the house once in awhile. LMAO!
Just busting your beanbag! 😆
As long as Smauel’s on board with sharing the limelight and some playing time.. You can’t have all 3 CB’s on the field on every Defensive down but on passing downs you surely could.. baeds on your Opponent and their tendancies, on 1st Downs you would have the basic 2 CB set and epecially versus running teams like the Giants,Bears,Falcons,Vikings,Cowboys,Redskins,Panthers,Jets,Steelers who will try to establish their own running games first.. It will make for a real Chess MAtch as opponenets will probably try to throw more on1st down versus the EAgles if they only have 2 CB’s on the field as opposed to the ore obvious passing situations on 2nd/3rd downs ..
Going Canoeing/Kayaking at 5pm with the kids..
I finished my yard work,laundry and trash/recycables trip earlier this morning..
But your right, I need to get off here and start lunch…
Good man, have fun with the little ones, brother.
Paul. this is a passing league. We ll have all 3 out there at least 90 percent of the time a game. If we can establish a lead and stop the run, that will force teams to throw the ball and thats what we want… The eagles are trying to build a team similar to the packers. Its so obvious…
Right now I’m on the site “live” again..
This time I’ll be repeating the problems with inexperience at safety and clamour for the Eagles brass to bring Dawk back for a curtain call.
Once this happens you guys will then know the power of “BLOG”.
I’m doing this for us all.
I agree JH that the Eagles are trying to emulate the Packers style of play,
but 90% of the time is probably too high of a % to have 3 CB’s on the field… It really depends on who your opponent you are playing.. The NFC is more of a running conference than the AFC.. Teams like the Vikings,Bears,Falcons,Giants,Redskins,Tampa Bay,Rams,Panthers,49ers and soon to be Cardinals are going to attempt to run the Ball 50% + of the time, so you can’t always have 3 CB’s on the field for who do you take out.. A LB and DT… It’s true that if you can get a lead on any team that you make them more 1 Dimensional and force them into more passing which appears will play into the Eagles Strength..
Watching some Offense Vs Defense on Eagles .Com
Trevor Laws looks like he put on about 15-20 in his lower body.. Dixon looks a little bigger too.. Tapp looks in great shape and is coming out of his stance and off the ball very quickly… Teo Neisham just looks too small to be an NFL DE
Wasn’t able to make out much on the LB’s and Secondary play.
Sal Pal reporting that asante told andy reid that he does not want to be traded,hopefully that means he ll be willing to play alil less and be flexible and do what we need
Paul maybe i exaggerated a bit, not 90 % but alot… teams are compensating for that. But listen this is a time for the eagles to really have the best team in the nfl on both ends of the ball… Higgins and lee were huge signings…Higgins on the same field with maclin and jackson? Can you say speed? Now they need to sign Burress and i think that is what will happen… They still need a LB and DT and maybe a safety
$$$ is going to be running out and they need to take care of D-jax and Vick.
I really thoght LB Tulloch was coming on board but with Asmo signing, I am not sure that is possible now.. (hoping he still does)
I think they need to add LB, OT for I am not sold on Justice’s health or ability to protect Vicks blind side.. Safety/DT would be gravy but you can’t have everything..
The eagles are going to wait and see how the corners look on the field together…they want to see all 3 corners on the field together so they can see all what they can do on the field together…
For whatever it’s worth, after watching 3WR vs 3DB drills a little bit ago,
Marlin Jackson & Curtis Marsh looked pretty good and were very active in breaking up passes, jumping routes and overall good anticipation and positioning ..
I really think they will have the 3CB look similar to what the Packers run with C Woodson.. Samuel on one side, Asmo on the other side and DCR roaming in middle of the Field (taking the MLB Spot) to cover the Middle, cover the TE and anyone coming across those quick slants/crossing routes..
I like Asante and I personally think he is underrated when it comes to being the face of Philadelphia. I think with his inability to tackle makes him less liked in this city but I agree I think he has to be traded. I think he is the highest paid CB this year on the team and like Paulman said we are going to rely on the young guys to play 3rd CB.
With trading him I think the right move would try to seek a first round pick in exchange… I could see the Raiders as a possible team that could be interested because you know they love giving away 1st rounders. Nexts years draft would include a medium to high 1st round pick… A low 1st rounder.. A medium 2nd rounder and a low 2nd rounder.. We would have 4 of the top 55 picks. We would also free up more cap space to sign a RT or a LB.
I cant see how someone can defend on asante staying here its just no argument.
Paul, exactly. I said the same thing. They are looking to beat the packers but in the process steal there formula on defense lol… but i think they will alternate guys playing in that charles woodson type of the defense, nnamdi would really fit better in that role bc hes so much more physical than the other corners… yeah im hearing great things from camp bro
VR, because it makes a a better team… would you say trade cole hamels because we have 3 other aces? No, heck no… so its the same thing in this case… Keep asante it allow for us to be creative on defense… theyre not gonna trade him
JH its a different situation.. Asante was bought here to be THE guy at corner thats not happening anymore. In the case your arguing its more like If bought in Cliff Lee and replaced him with CC sabthia and Josh Beckett and as a manager you start those guys ahead of Lee who is making way more than either player and will only play in the bull pen. Trading him is better than keeping because the Eagles are investing in a lot of young CB that are actually pretty good to be a 3rd string CB. Lets get this straight.. having the 3 CB’s Asante, DRC, Nmandi does not mean automatic 4th down. With the 2 we already have the best duo in the league next to the jets if they dont sign Cromartie… Im still not seeing why we should keep him makes no sense.