This was posted at scout.com and then re-posted on the EMb by several people (#1Eaglesfan1973 and others):
And Eskin was saying this on Friday too, FWIW...
QuoteEagles Look To Formulate "poison pill"
By Scout.com
Date: Feb 26, 2006
Perhaps one of the reasons the Eagles aren't looking to bring back Jon Runyan is because they've made Seattle's Steve Hutchinson their prime target. The addition of Hutchinson could be costly, but it would give the Eagles the offensive lineman that they need.
The Philadelphia Eagles, armed with a decent amount of salary cap room, have very strong interest in signing Seattle Seahawks G Steve Hutchinson who was designated as Seattle's transition player earlier this week.
A transition player designation gives the team the right of first-refusal to match within seven days of an offer sheet being given to the player by another team after his contract expires (which is March 3). If the team matches the offer sheet, they retain the player. If they choose not to, they will not receive compensation.
According to a source familiar with the situation, the Eagles are looking at designing a contract which will make it hard for Seattle to match. The Eagles have one of the best capologists in Joe Banner who put together a contract for then free agent DE Jevon Kearse a few years ago that made it very difficult for the Tennessee Titans to match.
The Eagles, according to the source, could put together the so-called "poison pill contract." This kind of contract is usually front loaded which makes it hard for the originating team to match. It should be noted that Seattle has around $20 million in cap space which is believed to be more than Philadelphia has at this point.
Also, according to a source with knowledge of the situation, it's "highly unlikely" the Eagles will re-sign starting right tackle Jon Runyan. The plan, as of now, would be to move starting right guard Shawn Andrews or second-year offensive lineman Todd Herremans in to his spot.
If we get Hutchinson losing Runyan would be easier to deal with.
Thomas
Hutchinson
Jackson
Andrews
Herremans
Hicks - 1st OT off the bench
Clarke - 1st OG off the bench
Fraley - back-up C
That is one deep and talented OL, y'all. :yay
I'll one-up you.
Sign Hutchinson, let Runyan walk and trade up for Ferguson.
Ok... I'm dreaming, but you never know what this FO has up their sleeves. But what would we do for defense if that happened? ???
I'd LOVE it. The Eagles can afford to make things REALLY hard on the Seahawks by going after Hutchinson with a big contract since they've got Alexander to deal with... and Reid has shown that he'll definitely put down big money for his O-line. The only thing is that'd be one looooooong week waiting to see if they match it or not.
Thomas
Hutchinson
Jackson
Andrews
Herremans = money.
That not only makes the possible loss of Runyan easier to deal with, but we get younger on the O-line... and we don't really lose any vet leadership there. You could argue that our most questionable part of that line is Thomas, a muti-time probowler. Add in the depth that Hicks, Clarke and Fraley would provide... yes. :yay
Runyan in that lineup would still be a better alternative, but if Herremans can hold his own that would be a nice young pile of beef they'd have up front.
They must be thinking that the CBA extension is going to be done soon. I'll tell you why--
1. According to Foxsports.com, the NFL is going to announce its cap tomorrow, and it's going to be 95M--the Eagles, once they cut Owens, will have about 21.2M.
2. Project 4M for the draft and 2M for in-season contingencies, and that's now down to 15.2M.
3. To craft a "poison pill" type deal for Hutchison (like when the Bears signed John Tait a couple of seasons back), they would have to offer him close to 11M IN THE FIRST SEASON, with about 9.5-10M coming in the form of a roster bonus.
4. WITHOUT a CBA, there can be NO RAISES MORE THAN 30% in each succeeding year of the contract.
5. That would leave them with about 4M to deal with a backup QB, a decent DT, a veteran WR, and a playmaking SLB.
Now, if the extension gets done in time, that would provide the Eagles with an extra 12M in cap space, because that 12M right now is earmarked for players who have to have their salary upgraded to conform with the 30% rule. The player who needs the most bumping up would be Donovan--they need to give him an extra 4M THIS YEAR to not violate the 30%rule.
So, they must be confident that the extension is going to get done. Not only that, but it has also been written on cvarious sites that if the union gets their way, EACH TEAM WILL HAVE AN EXTRA 10M in CAP funds. So, that means the Eagles would be actually about 41M under the cap with an extension.
By the way, I get my information from this site--http://www.geocities.com/eaglescap. The guy has a pretty good handle on things.
How about the scenario where Hutchinson stays in Seattle and we still lose Runyan....just as likely, maybe more....
Killjoy.
Quote from: BigEd76 on February 26, 2006, 05:45:51 PM
How about the scenario where Hutchinson stays in Seattle and we still lose Runyan....just as likely, maybe more....
I'm baffled. I don't have a proper emoticon to explain how I feel about that comment!
Ban Ed.
WAIT. Where does Artis Hicks fit into this starting lineup? He's awsome.
Quote from: MDS on February 26, 2006, 05:59:17 PM
WAIT. Where does Artis Hicks fit into this? He's awsome.
They're HOLDING out hope that he'll be better.
When did Ed go Negadelphian on us?... that's what I wanna know.
Quote from: FFatPatt on February 26, 2006, 05:52:26 PM
Quote from: BigEd76 on February 26, 2006, 05:45:51 PM
How about the scenario where Hutchinson stays in Seattle and we still lose Runyan....just as likely, maybe more....
I'm baffled. I don't have a proper emoticon to explain how I feel about that comment!
I do: :flipoff
Quote from: PhillyGirl on February 26, 2006, 05:59:58 PM
Quote from: MDS on February 26, 2006, 05:59:17 PM
WAIT. Where does Artis Hicks fit into this? He's awsome.
They're HOLDING out hope that he'll be better.
Ha. Yea, him and McMullen got all the potential in the world.
I'm all for Hutchison. Getting him and Eric Moulds (first choice at WR) could make this one hell of an offseason.
I think the off-season is lost if the team doesn't reacquire Juqua Thomas.
While i wouldn't mind seeing Hutchinson being signed by the Eagles, I don't understand the logic. You have a starting LT battling with back issues, a RT who's a free agent, and a young OT who injured himself during his rookie year. Lets address that situation by signing a OG.
The Eagles have drafted 30 OL in the last few years. It seems to make more sense getting those guys acclimated with the NFL than drop tons of cap space at a guard, while the defense looks like dog shtein.
I like the idea of upgrading the team via free agency, but pointing it towards the offense seems like the wrong direction.
Hutchinson is the best young OL on the market. The Eagles have a lot of other less-established guys that can be moved around to fit in a talent like Steve Hutchinson.
Quote from: FFatPatt on February 26, 2006, 06:18:21 PM
Hutchinson is the best young OL on the market. The Eagles have a lot of other less-established guys that can be moved around to fit in a talent like Steve Hutchinson.
agreed. 100%.
Not only is he the best on the market, but he is for sure top 3 OG in football.
I'm all for adding Hutchinson, but there's zero chance this is true. When have the Eagles ever showed their hand before the draft or free agency? Never.
There were various reports that the Eagles wanted TO a couple years ago in free agency from ESPN - although local reporters said there was no shot, and before that it was widely known the Eagles loved LJ Smith in the draft.
So some stuff is leaked.
Quote from: Philly Forever on February 26, 2006, 08:19:28 PM
There were various reports that the Eagles wanted TO a couple years ago in free agency from ESPN - although local reporters said there was no shot, and before that it was widely known the Eagles loved LJ Smith in the draft.
So some stuff is leaked.
Come on man, the entire universe knew TO wanted to be an Eagle.
I'll give you LJ Smith, and I remember Reid being high on Westbrook, but aside from them we were all totally in the dark about who they'd take.
I don't see the Eagles dropping that much coin for a guard. Not part of the position vs. value budget plan.
Maybe Reid and Co. should look at film from last year of McNabb taking the shot to the sternum that injured him before they think about not paying top dollar for a real good guard.
You have the best you get the best to protect him.
So did anyone else think this thread was going to be about the Eagles going after Chad Hutchinson and get really, really , really mad before actually opening it? :paranoid
Chad Hutchinson isn't even a target for AFL2 franchises.
Quote from: Mad-Lad on February 26, 2006, 06:12:16 PM
While i wouldn't mind seeing Hutchinson being signed by the Eagles, I don't understand the logic. You have a starting LT battling with back issues, a RT who's a free agent, and a young OT who injured himself during his rookie year. Lets address that situation by signing a OG.
The Eagles have drafted 30 OL in the last few years. It seems to make more sense getting those guys acclimated with the NFL than drop tons of cap space at a guard, while the defense looks like dog shtein.
I like the idea of upgrading the team via free agency, but pointing it towards the offense seems like the wrong direction.
So signing one marquee offensive FA would stop them from pursuing help on the defense?
Quote from: PhillyPhreak54 on February 27, 2006, 08:23:44 AM
Quote from: Mad-Lad on February 26, 2006, 06:12:16 PM
While i wouldn't mind seeing Hutchinson being signed by the Eagles, I don't understand the logic. You have a starting LT battling with back issues, a RT who's a free agent, and a young OT who injured himself during his rookie year. Lets address that situation by signing a OG.
The Eagles have drafted 30 OL in the last few years. It seems to make more sense getting those guys acclimated with the NFL than drop tons of cap space at a guard, while the defense looks like dog shtein.
I like the idea of upgrading the team via free agency, but pointing it towards the offense seems like the wrong direction.
So signing one marquee offensive FA would stop them from pursuing help on the defense?
I'm just saying, adding an OG doesn't seem as effective as signing a DT, LB, or DE. I'd rather they drop good money on a legitimate LB instead of going cheap and signing a guy like Simoneau, Wayne, Dhani, or Keith Adams. No one knows if McCoy can play, Dhani's not very good, the Dline stunk up the joint last year, and the DBs were hung out to dry last year.
the defense needs upgrading. That's all I'm saying.
They'll still upgrade the defense. They could go after Hutch and a guy like Witherspoon if they wanted to. They have money to play with, bro.
i really hope Witherspoon is as good as everyone says he is.
So if the Eagles go after offense in free agency what are the chances of getting impact players for the defense in the draft? Players that can play this season that is...
Hutchinson and Moulds would make me happy
Hutchinson, Moulds and Witherspoon would make me ejaculate all over everything. I would say that there is no chance of that happening.
Quote from: rjs246 on February 27, 2006, 10:05:47 AM
Hutchinson, Moulds and Witherspoon would make me ejaculate all over everything. I would say that there is no chance of that happening.
Keep your sexual inefficiencies to yourself. farging pervert.
In honesty, I hope the front office gives you reason to ejacualte over everything..... :paranoid
I, for one, wouldn't consider the ability to cover everything on earth in my salty goodness an 'inefficiency'.
It depends if you'd have any left for Sarge's mom.
id rather have the tackle positions solidified before i went after hutchinson
Quote from: ice grillin you on February 27, 2006, 11:00:55 AM
id rather have the tackle positions solidified before i went after hutchinson
yeah, what he said.
LT is solidified. Thomas will be healthier than he's been for 2-3 seasons.
RT will have a ton of options with LG being truly and finally solidified: Andrews, Hicks, Herremans, Jackson, and even Armstrong will all get a look out there. I personally think Herremans will get the job and kick some ass.
LT is solidified. Thomas will be healthier than he's been for 2-3 seasons
dont know how you can say that as fact...30+ year old 6-7 cats with back problems are never really out of the woods...i have a bad feeling about his health
i realize the importance of the offensive line but it doesnt matter how good the guards are if the edges arent protected...especially in a pass happy offense
i wouldnt complain if they got him but hutchinson is way down on my list of gets for this offseason
Again, I just think the FA market for tackles is weak, compared to a guy like Hutchinson. Then, you have the current Eagles' offensive linemen, which is basically a group of young guys that really haven't found a niche yet. I just can't see why you'd want to do anything but get the best guy available and make your current guys fit around it... rather than plugging the hole with some stopgap or older guy.
Quote from: ice grillin you on February 27, 2006, 11:29:25 AM
LT is solidified. Thomas will be healthier than he's been for 2-3 seasons
dont know how you can say that as fact...30+ year old 6-7 cats with back problems are never really out of the woods...i have a bad feeling about his health
i realize the importance of the offensive line but it doesnt matter how good the guards are if the edges arent protected...especially in a pass happy offense
i wouldnt complain if they got him but hutchinson is way down on my list of gets for this offseason
Yeah, but Thomas at LT is the best option we've got anyway. There's no one out there on the market that we could bring in as an upgrade. If we do lose Runyan and it turns out that Thomas isn't right in 2006, then Hicks can slide out to LT or be the 1st T off the bench. Hutchinson coming here has no effect on that.
If Hutch is here, then that gives us the freedom to swing Herremans out to RT... while not compromising the depth at LT... and improving us in the interior. The 1st 3 guys off the bench would be Hicks, Clarke and Jackson/Fraley... that's some solid ass depth. It actually gives us more options than if Runyan stays.