With the free agency period underway, so far the Eagles haven’t landed any of the big names on the market, but they’ve managed to sign a handful of players that could help improve the depth on this football team.
On Tuesday night, the Eagles agreed to terms with cornerback Bradley Fletcher, nose tackle Isaac Sopoaga, tight end/fullback James Casey, safety Patrick Chung, and linebacker Jason Phillips.
Fletcher was once considered an up-and-coming starter with the St. Louis Rams before an ACL tear ended his season in 2011. Since then, he had fallen out of favor with the organization, but the 27-year old will be given a fresh start in Philadelphia. He’ll almost certainly be one of the team’s starting cornerbacks. Whether or not he can get his career back on the right track remains to be seen, but at the least the potential is there.
Sopoaga gives the Eagles a true nose tackle, and brings 10 years of NFL experience to the locker room. He’s not a game-changing tackle, but he’s a solid, hard working guy that could bring a lot of good intangibles to this team.
Chung started eight games for the Patriots last season, and had two interceptions. He has a reputation of being a physical player, and should have a good chance of being one of the team’s starting safeties. He’s only 25 years old, and is familiar with Chip Kelly from his time at Oregon. He was a disappointing second-round pick, but he’s probably better than what the Eagles have had at the position over the last three years.
Casey is a versatile player, capable of working as either a tight end or fullback. His arrival probably means that Stanley Havili doesn’t have much of a future in Philadelphia. The former Texan has been a solid second tight end behind Owen Daniels throughout his career. He’s not the significant upgrade to the tight end position that a lot of fans wanted, but he’s a decent player.
Phillips has been a backup for his entire career, but he’s played linebacker in 3-4 systems before, and he gives the Eagles some much-needed depth at the position.
While these signings won’t send shockwaves throughout Philadelphia, they’re a bunch of solid, low-risk moves that could help improve this 4-12 team. The team came away from the first day of free agency with three new starters for their defense, and a solid role player on offense.
I say we get atleast one big time name, and put a end to free agency signings and then focus on the draft. Dashon Goldson, We need another physical appearance in our secondary.
I love Goldson…if there’s one free agent I wanted the Eagles to spend big money on, it would be him.
Laron Landry would be nice as well.
Yes Denny absolutely
No it wouldn’t be nice. Landry is injury prone and a touchdown waiting to happen…..NO
Sean Smith needs to just hurry up and accept our offer.
Lots of Safeties in this Draft as well as Veteran ones that can be singed after the Draft. Eagles will Draft one early in the early Rounds
And maybe pick one Veteran up post Draft depending what shakes out
the Birds are trying. 5 new players 4 on D and one TE.
Would love the Eagles to sign Goldson too, but i think the Bucs and gonna lock him up. The Bucs sent a private jet to pick him up. If the Eagles wanted him that bad they would have made an effort by now. Or maybe they have..who knows..
NFL teams targeted and spent on the OL this first day of free agency,
and used a couple franchise tags on them also
You would think the Eagles would have sent a message by locking up Goldson after having a weak ass secondary for years. No heart in the middle since Dawk been gone and they still don’t get it.
So what if you spend a little more than you have to…Do it to send a message to the locker room and fan base what kind of defense you intend to field.
Calm down on Goldson, he will hit the snot out of you, weak cover guy though. As soon as he would get beat on plays we would be bitchin about signing him. Check out playoff games and see why SF did not re-sign him.
The niners aren’t signing Goldson because he’s asking between 7-9 million per year and with all the stars on team along with looking to lock up Kaepernick long term, just can’t afford that amount for a safety…But the Eagles have the cap and the need to turn the attitude of this defense around and they are not in any position to make decisions based off of the 49ers decision not to meet Goldson demands.
The Eagles have to pay if they are looking to compete…period.
Just like when the Sixers signed those “UNDER THE RADAR” players like Nick Youong and Dorrell Wright. Hows that going for team Show ya luv right now? These signings are pathetic for a team that has the most money to spend. You raise ticket prices after going 4-12 and the fans should pay top $$$ to see this team of bench warmers? what a joke.
This team has not made ONE single move this entire offseason that was good. You put your trust in Bradley Fletcher??? He’s a reject. Trash from another team. patrick chung? he’s your new leader in the secondary? Casey who couldn’t beat out Joel Dressen and Owen Daniels the last few years? cmon man. You think Billy Davis can make Patrick Chung a Bill Belichick reject a probowler?
What we know…The Eagles have more cap space than any team yet refuse to pay for the best player at the greatest position of need on the defense.
There must be serious bonuses for the Eagles brass based on how much money is left under the cap.
Cut Nate Allen’s behind now!
This pathetic ass team is now 3 years behind the skins in the NFC East.
Nate Allen and Danny Watkins are not going anywhere. Do I think that is the rite move? Not necessarily, but it’s the truth. not gonna happen.
The moves the Eagles have made so far are borderline to me. For a team that is in the rebuilding mode, it’s the smart way to go. If your the Niners or Seahwaks, than you go get the Goldsons, harvins, reeds etc..
Don’t blow your cash, just because you have it. That makes you sound like every schmuck that blows every pay check on twinkies, tits and booze. Try to get a stud or two in the draft, roll this cash over until you have a legit chance of competiting.