Four Players Trying Out For Eagles
- The Eagles are bringing in four veteran free agents for tryouts this week, tweets Zach Berman of the Philadelphia Inquirer. Defensive tackle Ken Bishop, fullback Michael Zordich, wide receiver DaVaris Daniels, and wide receiver T.J. Graham will get a look at Philadelphia’s minicamp.
Latest On Fletcher Cox, Eagles
The Eagles and standout defensive lineman Fletcher Cox are “closing in” on a long-term extension, according to Jason Cole of Bleacher Report (video link). Two sources tell Cole that if and when the two sides complete a deal, it will include upwards of $52MM in guaranteed money.
However, Les Bowen of the Philadelphia Inquirer (Twitter links) spoke to a source who referred to the report on Cox as “untrue.” Bowen clarified that his source initially was denying that a deal between the two sides was done – whereas Cole’s report merely suggests that an agreement is close – but the Daily News scribe later added (via Twitter) that his source also emphatically denies that Cox and the Eagles are even close to a deal.
This isn’t the first time that a report has suggested Cox and the Eagles are nearing a multiyear agreement. Eliot Shorr-Parks of NJ.com wrote nearly two and a half months ago, in early February, that the two sides were “close to a deal” that might include more than $50MM in guarantees. At the time, Cox took to Twitter to dismiss the story, so perhaps he’ll do so again in the wake of Cole’s report.
Still, there’s some reason to believe a contract agreement could be coming sooner rather than later for the 25-year-old. Cole suggests that the Eagles would like to see Cox participate in as much as possible of the team’s offseason program as the franchise transitions from former head coach Chip Kelly to his replacement, Doug Pederson. Cox has skipped Philadelphia’s voluntary workouts so far this month.
Eagles GM Howie Roseman also indicated on Monday that the team has zero interest in trading Cox, and is fully committed to locking him up, adding that he’s not worried about the club “winning” extension negotiations and getting Cox at a discount — he simply wants to keep the star defender around for the long term.
Cox had arguably the best season of his four-year career in 2015, setting a new career high with 9.5 sacks. He also racked up 71 tackles, three forced fumbles, and a pair of fumble recoveries. The performance earned the Mississippi State alum his first Pro Bowl nod, along with a top-10 spot on Pro Football Focus’ rankings of interior defenders — he placed ninth out of 123 qualified players.
As a first-round pick in 2012, Cox is currently under contract for one more season, with a fifth-year option for 2016 worth $7.799MM. However, if and when he and the Eagles get a new deal done, Cox will be in line for a sizable raise.
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.
Doug Pederson High On Carson Wentz
- Reports have indicated that the Eagles are high on Wentz, and their attempted to trade up to No. 1 may have been to secure the North Dakota State signal-caller. Regardless of whether or not Philadelphia finds a way to land Wentz, head coach Doug Pederson clearly believes Wentz is “the real deal,” tweets Elliot Shorr-Parks of NJ.com after listening to Pederson speak at a press conference today.
Eagles Sign Ryan Quigley
The Eagles have added some competition at the punter position, according to Jeff McLane of the Philadelphia Inquirer, who tweets that Ryan Quigley has signed a one-year contract with the club. The Eagles have since officially confirmed the move.
Quigley, 26, has been the Jets’ punter for the last three seasons, but was eligible for restricted free agency last month, and Gang Green opted not to tender him a contract. In 2015, Quigley’s 36.5 net yards per punt ranked second-last in the NFL among the league’s starting punters. He also ranked among the NFL’s worst punters in terms of overall return yardage (432 yards) and yards per return (12.7).
Conversely, Donnie Jones, the Eagles’ starting punter, had a solid 41.6 net yardage average on his attempts, good for sixth in the NFL, and limited opposing returners to 5.1 yards per attempts, which ranked third.
Based on the two punters’ performances, it seems unlikely that Quigley would supplant Jones as the starter in Philadelphia, but he’ll provide some competition in camp, and would represent a cheaper alternative if Jones struggles or gets injured.
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.
Eagles Won't Trade Fletcher Cox
The Eagles were reportedly in discussions with the Titans about a potential trade for the No. 1 pick before Tennessee sent that pick to Los Angeles. Asked today about how serious those talks were, Howie Roseman downplayed them, suggesting that his team was doing its “due diligence,” as Zach Berman of the Philadelphia Inquirer writes.
“I wouldn’t consider any discussions [serious] with any teams until you make deals,” Roseman, the de-facto Eagles GM, said. “I think it’s the same discussion with teams behind us. We’re having those discussions now. Teams in front us. We just have those conversations internally and weigh the cost-benefit of everything.”
While Roseman left the door open for plenty of trade possibilities, he shut at least one door, telling reporters today that the Eagles are “not trading” Fletcher Cox (Twitter links via Berman). Roseman made it clear that the team isn’t playing the “leverage game” with Cox, and plans on extending him and keeping him in Philadelphia for a long time.
Eagles To Work Out Speedy TCU WR
- Kolby Listenbee will visit the Eagles on Monday after recently meeting with the 49ers, Adam Caplan of ESPN.com reports (on Twitter). The TCU wide receiver. The 6-foot-1 target who blazed to a 4.35-second 40-yard dash at the Horned Frogs’ pro day amassed more than 1,300 receiving yards and nine TDs the past two seasons. Listenbee underwent sports hernia surgery, per Caplan (on Twitter), after the ailment kept him from participating in the Combine.
McLane: Eagles Have Assets To Trade For Rookie QB
- Jeff McLane of Philly.com backs a previous report that the Eagles had discussed a trade for the Titans‘ top pick. McLane believes the Rams are targeting California quarterback Jared Goff with the first selection, meaning the Eagles could still make a deal to acquire North Dakota quarterback Carson Wentz.
[SOURCE LINK]
Eagles Rumors: Ezekiel Elliott, Ryan Mathews
- If the Eagles select running back Ezekiel Elliott and decide to make Ryan Mathews available, the Cowboys and 49ers would have interest in the veteran, per Pauline. As James Walker of ESPN.com tweets, Elliott feels like the Eagles have shown the most interest in him so far, so it’s possible he’ll end up in Philadelphia. Even in that scenario though, and even if the club was willing to trade Mathews, it’s not clear whether Howie Roseman would be enthusiastic about dealing with a divisional rival or with Chip Kelly‘s team.
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Rams Believed Eagles Were Serious About Trading For No. 1 Pick
- The Rams gave the Titans a massive haul of picks to get the No. 1 selection because they believed Tennessee was about to pull the trigger on a deal with the Eagles, Howard Balzer of USA Today tweets.
- Gannon quarterback Liam Nadler is drawing interest from the Texans, Steelers, Chargers, Jets, Eagles, and Seahawks, tweets Aaron Wilson of The Houston Chronicle. Wilson also reports (via Twitter) that the Texans, Buccaneers, Dolphins, Patriots, and Bears are among the teams to show interest in South Florida edge defender Eric Lee.
Will Eagles Still Consider Trading Up?
- Before agreeing to send their top pick to L.A., the Titans had spoken to the Eagles about the possibility of a swap involving that No. 1 pick, but Philadelphia withdrew its offer earlier this week, a source tells Ed Werder of ESPN.com (Twitter link). As Ian Rapoport of NFL.com tweets, we shouldn’t rule out the possibility of Philadelphia continuing to explore a potential trade with the Browns, who hold the No. 2 pick. Of course, that would only be plausible if the Rams don’t select the QB the Eagles like, and the Browns decide not to take a QB of their own.