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Sunday, March 12, 2006
Eagles' Grand Plan Goes Awry: What's Plan B?
Defensive end Darren Howard visited Eagles today. Staying overnight, so could a deal come tomorrow? Was so good Saints franchised him twice, but he sufferered an "injury-plagued 2005." (See earlier post, "Give Us Your Aging and Injured?")
How about a backup tight end? , Tomorrow, Birds will announce the signing of Matt Schobel, says a Cincy paper. Move sounds iffier in Inquirer story on Philly losing center LeCharles Bentley. Forget about: WR Joe Jurevicius, DE Aaron Kampman, DT Kendrick Clancy. Yesterday, they signed elsewhere. Today, so have: WR Antwaan Randle El, guard Steve Hutchinson, LB Will Witherspoon, RB Edgerrin James. Who's left? Here's a full list. Check "2006 team" column to see who's been signed. In an earlier poll, "Who would you most like to see the Eagles sign?" linebacker LaVar Arrington was leading vote-getter. Last week's predictions about what the Eagles would do: Eagles spokesjournalist Dave Spadaro raises hopes, though not too high, on philadelphiaeagles.com: "The Eagles are going to be active, no question about it. ... The team's M.O. has always been to spend big money on younger, ascending players, so if you think they're going to break the bank on a player who they perceive is on the down side of his career, forget about it. ... Remember this: The Eagles like this roster very much. The Eagles are also going to have some draft picks -- does 10 sound right, including expected compensatory picks? ... So don't think the Eagles are going to sign eight to 10 players." Yesterday on his online call-in show, he nixed one running back: "I guarantee you Mike Anderson doesn't want to come here and be a bit player." Mark Eckel, Trenton Times, on WIP said this morning he foresees by Monday just two more signings: center LeCharles Bentley (excellent move, said both Ron Jaworski and Ray Didinger during on-air interviews yesterday) and backup quarterback Jeff Garcia. But even bigger news is likely to be LaVar Arrington's signing with division rival the New York Giants. After Monday, the Eagles will likely bide their time, weighing their options avoiding big-time bidding wars, he said. Newsday, by the way, says the Giants will sign cornerback Sam Madison, but "LaVar Arrington's agent, Carl Poston, said the Giants have not expressed interest in the former Redskin." WIP's Howard Eskin often espouses views in sync with Eagles' thinking. Before Bentley's name came up, he said repeatedly he expects the team to focus on the offensive line in free agency, defensive line in the draft. Forget about top-dollar free-agent running backs or wideouts, he said. Early Word says expect the unexpected (short of T.O. staying). Two years ago, rumors were rampant about Owens, but Jevon Kearse came as a surprise. With the team likely to have a cap cushion of around $30 million, they may see gold in them thar hills and mine it, hoping to attain their "gold standard." But, overall, of course, fans will still feel unsatisfied.
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