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http://twitter.com/Jay_Glazer/statuses/4476479318

Glazer reporting one year deal!


Yes!

Interesting.  Who goes to make room? 

No word yet, but I'm guessing it will be Garcia

You are probably the only one excited about this Phreak.  

The Front Office went from being ultra-conservative to absolutely insane

That's cool, I'm ok with being the only one pumped up about this

But there is no downside to taking a shot at bringing him in. The MLB play of Gaither has been inconsistent. He had a strong game against Carolina, then disappeared against New Orleans and he had a nice stat line against KC. But he's never been a true MLB. That was apparent when they moved Bradley there prior to last year.

Joe Mays can't play STs well, doesn't defend the pass well and can't stay healthy.

This is no favor signing. They didn't pursue him for shteins and giggles. If it was a favor to Trot then it would have been the old "don't call us, we'll call you" response after the first workout.

But he gets two workouts and looks good in both.

Why not?

Why not just pile that money up in the parking lot and burn it?

Quote from: General_Failure on September 29, 2009, 02:48:21 PM
Why not just pile that money up in the parking lot and burn it?

So can I pencil you in for a nice new Trotter jersey?

this is one of those moves where i'm kind of excited because i'm a trotter fan so it's cool to see him back in an eagles unifrom.........for the 3rd time, but at the same time i don't really think this move improves the team much, if at all.

+1 for nostalgia
-1 for making a difference

Quote from: PhillyPhreak54 on September 29, 2009, 02:49:55 PM

Quote from: General_Failure on September 29, 2009, 02:48:21 PM
Why not just pile that money up in the parking lot and burn it?

So can I pencil you in for a nice new Trotter jersey?

Nah, I'm good on toilet paper for a while.

Quote from: Sgt PSN on September 29, 2009, 02:50:40 PM
this is one of those moves where i'm kind of excited because i'm a trotter fan so it's cool to see him back in an eagles unifrom.........for the 3rd time, but at the same time i don't really think this move improves the team much, if at all.

+1 for nostalgia
-1 for making a difference

I think (yeah, yeah..go farg yourselves) that he's going to help a lot. With Bunkley and Patterson playing so well inside and helping to keep blockers out of the way, I think this helps them on running downs for sure.

McDermott has to disguise his pass defense deficiencies, but that can be done.

Quote from: PhillyPhreak54 on September 29, 2009, 02:53:50 PM
McDermott has to disguise his pass defense deficiencies, but that can be done.

yeah by not having signed him

No way surgery and rehab and can help an athlete at 32yrs oldm..impossible

please...I dig it phreak. I think helps out big time on special teams and on run downs

Super. Bowl.

Quote from: ice grillin you on September 29, 2009, 02:55:17 PM

Quote from: PhillyPhreak54 on September 29, 2009, 02:53:50 PM
McDermott has to disguise his pass defense deficiencies, but that can be done.

yeah by not having signed him

Trotter is a better MLB than Omar Gaither and/or Joe Mays.

True or not?

Quote from: reese125 on September 29, 2009, 02:56:46 PM
I think helps out big time on special teams and on run downs

i dont think there's any way that trot goes out on special teams. 

I'd be shocked, almost as shocked as MDS when he sees a vagina for the first time, if he goes out there on STs.

the first time mds sees vadge, he'll whip out his blackberry and post about it.  ironically also making it the last time he sees vadge. 

wow, just wow

Quote from: PhillyPhreak54 on September 29, 2009, 02:57:08 PM

Quote from: ice grillin you on September 29, 2009, 02:55:17 PM

Quote from: PhillyPhreak54 on September 29, 2009, 02:53:50 PM
McDermott has to disguise his pass defense deficiencies, but that can be done.

yeah by not having signed him

Trotter was a better MLB than Omar Gaither and/or Joe Mays.

True or not?

Trotter is a complete unknown at this point.  

Quote from: Sgt PSN on September 29, 2009, 03:01:58 PM
the first time mds sees vadge, he'll whip out his blackberry and post about it.  ironically also making it the last time he sees vadge. 

:-D

(http://www.concretefield.info/forum/Themes/greentheme/images/post/wireless.gif)
"I'm about, to wreck this old, lady's MA vadge!"

Quote from: PhillyPhreak54 on September 29, 2009, 02:57:08 PM

Quote from: ice grillin you on September 29, 2009, 02:55:17 PM

Quote from: PhillyPhreak54 on September 29, 2009, 02:53:50 PM
McDermott has to disguise his pass defense deficiencies, but that can be done.

yeah by not having signed him

Trotter is a better MLB than Omar Gaither and/or Joe Mays.

True or not?

He was, but come on, he hasn't played in 2 years (3 if you correctly discard his season at Tampa). He'll be more of a liability than Gaither or Mays

Quote from: PhillyPhreak54 on September 29, 2009, 02:57:08 PM

Quote from: ice grillin you on September 29, 2009, 02:55:17 PM

Quote from: PhillyPhreak54 on September 29, 2009, 02:53:50 PM
McDermott has to disguise his pass defense deficiencies, but that can be done.

yeah by not having signed him

Trotter is a better MLB than Omar Gaither and/or Joe Mays.

True or not?

well i dont think anyone knows till he plays but my guess is hes not as good as gaither and better than joe mays

my biggest problem with the move is that they are making an unbelievable reach because they have ignored the linebacker position for the better part of the last decade...farging properly address the position and you wont have to do things like this

Quote from: Tomahawk on September 29, 2009, 03:07:33 PM

Quote from: PhillyPhreak54 on September 29, 2009, 02:57:08 PM

Quote from: ice grillin you on September 29, 2009, 02:55:17 PM

Quote from: PhillyPhreak54 on September 29, 2009, 02:53:50 PM
McDermott has to disguise his pass defense deficiencies, but that can be done.

yeah by not having signed him

Trotter is a better MLB than Omar Gaither and/or Joe Mays.

True or not?

He was, but come on, he hasn't played in 2 years (3 if you correctly discard his season at Tampa). He'll be more of a liability than Gaither or Mays

He will need to adjust to the flow again, but you don't just forget how to ball. You don't forget the defense and you don't forget how to blow people up.

He's not 38. He's 32 years old.

hes 32 going on 48 and tomahak said has played in forever...two years is an eternity in the nfl at that age

and you can have total farging recall but how are you going to get your body to do the things you havent forgotten

Quote from: ice grillin you on September 29, 2009, 03:11:51 PM
hes 32 going on 48 and tomahak said has played in forever...two years is an eternity in the nfl at that age

and you can have total farging recall but how are you going to get your body to do the things you havent forgotten

Well, consider the source...the guy says he feels better. He worked out twice and passed their guidelines.

Do you think they'd sign him if they felt he couldn't play?

If so, what (in your mind) is the motivation to do this?

Quote from: PhillyPhreak54 on September 29, 2009, 03:14:35 PM
If so, what (in your mind) is the motivation to do this?

they're giving him a new jersey number because they know you will buy it. 

insanity

Quote from: ice grillin you on September 29, 2009, 03:09:03 PM

Quote from: PhillyPhreak54 on September 29, 2009, 02:57:08 PM

Quote from: ice grillin you on September 29, 2009, 02:55:17 PM

Quote from: PhillyPhreak54 on September 29, 2009, 02:53:50 PM
McDermott has to disguise his pass defense deficiencies, but that can be done.

yeah by not having signed him

Trotter is a better MLB than Omar Gaither and/or Joe Mays.

True or not?

well i dont think anyone knows till he plays but my guess is hes not as good as gaither and better than joe mays

my biggest problem with the move is that they are making an unbelievable reach because they have ignored the linebacker position for the better part of the last decade...farging properly address the position and you wont have to do things like this

I agree that they should have addressed the position in years past. It has been woefully neglected and that is the fault of Reid and Heckert who fell in line with Banner's analysis of not paying big for LBs.

But give credit for Reid for making the move now. He sees a need and addresses it with Trotter, who may or may not work out, but at least give him a shot to see if he can improve the defense.

I think it is going to work out just fine.

Quote from: Sgt PSN on September 29, 2009, 03:16:54 PM

Quote from: PhillyPhreak54 on September 29, 2009, 03:14:35 PM
If so, what (in your mind) is the motivation to do this?

they're giving him a new jersey number because they know you will buy it. 

I probably will.

Butta joint!

Quote from: PhillyPhreak54 on September 29, 2009, 03:14:35 PM

Quote from: ice grillin you on September 29, 2009, 03:11:51 PM
hes 32 going on 48 and tomahak said has played in forever...two years is an eternity in the nfl at that age

and you can have total farging recall but how are you going to get your body to do the things you havent forgotten

Well, consider the source...the guy says he feels better. He worked out twice and passed their guidelines.

Do you think they'd sign him if they felt he couldn't play?

If so, what (in your mind) is the motivation to do this?

They signed Vick and he can't play. They kept Reggie Brown and he can't play. For years, they kept people like Mahe, Greg Lewis, and Freddie Mitchell and none of them can play. No, I don't believe they would have signed him if they didn't think he could play. The problem is they think people can ball that obviously can't

Quote from: PhillyPhreak54 on September 29, 2009, 03:14:35 PM
Do you think they'd sign him if they felt he couldn't play?

yes

Quote from: PhillyPhreak54 on September 29, 2009, 03:14:35 PM
If so, what (in your mind) is the motivation to do this?

no idea but im guessing familiarity....or they wanna look like geniuses


what was the reason for running matt mccoy out there for all those games...what was the reason for running joe mays out there earlier this year...or levon kirkland in 2002...blaine bishop....sean considine....there is a litany of players they have put on the field knowing they couldnt play

Quote from: PhillyPhreak54 on September 29, 2009, 03:17:30 PM
But give credit for Reid for making the move now. He sees a need and addresses it with Trotter, who may or may not work out, but at least give him a shot to see if he can improve the defense.

why would i give reid credit if im supposed to wait to see if it works....ill be the first to admit that i was wrong but ill be flabbergasted if this improves the defense....hell ill give andy credit if this doesnt lose them any games

Honestly I can't see him being anything more than a situational player at this point. 

Quote from: Drunkmasterflex on September 29, 2009, 03:29:57 PM
Honestly I can't see him being anything more than a situational player at this point. 

hopefully he sees little of the field and this is mostly a lockerroom/leadership move....im down with that aspect of it

yeah, but you can't just walk off the street and be a leader.  half the guys on the defense weren't even there when he played last

Quote from: Tomahawk on September 29, 2009, 03:23:16 PM

Quote from: PhillyPhreak54 on September 29, 2009, 03:14:35 PM

Quote from: ice grillin you on September 29, 2009, 03:11:51 PM
hes 32 going on 48 and tomahak said has played in forever...two years is an eternity in the nfl at that age

and you can have total farging recall but how are you going to get your body to do the things you havent forgotten

Well, consider the source...the guy says he feels better. He worked out twice and passed their guidelines.

Do you think they'd sign him if they felt he couldn't play?

If so, what (in your mind) is the motivation to do this?

They signed Vick and he can't play. They kept Reggie Brown and he can't play. For years, they kept people like Mahe, Greg Lewis, and Freddie Mitchell and none of them can play. No, I don't believe they would have signed him if they didn't think he could play. The problem is they think people can ball that obviously can't

I disagree on Lewis, because he was good in his role. As a UDFA he contributed as a spot receiver and solid STs guy. When they elevated him to starter after TO got the boot, he sucked. But he was good otherwise.

Vick - I think the jury is still out on him. I wasn't happy with it originally, but I think that he will end up helping them win a game or two.

I think Brown can still play, but he needs to adjust his attitude and practice habits. He performed when he had the opportunity. But the only reason he's still here is that contract.

Mahe = inexcusable
Freddie Mitchell = dumb draft decision

the insane part is not so much signing the guy but the fact that he has been removed from football that long and still impressed at 2 workouts to even get signed.

I mean christ-runyan comes back for a workout and nathan

he must of showed something of value but we shall see

Exactly SunMo, if they just want leadership, they should have kept Dawkins  :deion At least he isn't some couch potato trying to relive his glory days

Quoteno idea but im guessing familiarity....or they wanna look like geniuses


what was the reason for running matt mccoy out there for all those games...what was the reason for running joe mays out there earlier this year...or levon kirkland in 2002...blaine bishop....sean considine....there is a litany of players they have put on the field knowing they couldnt play

But why sign him? The reason is they identified the MLB position as a weakness right now. They couldn't have planned better unless they could have predicted Bradley going down with the injury and knowing that Mays wasn't ready (or never will be ready)

They had to run Mays out there to give him a shot and see if he could do it. He obviously can't so they have to fix the position.

McCoy was run out there because he was a prized 2nd round pick. They were going to sink or swim. And I'm still convinced that those iceholes meant to write KIRK MORRISON on that draft card and got 'em mixed up.

Levon Kirkland/Barry Gardner = Reid & Banner's ego. After letting Trot walk the first time, they thought Barry farging Gardner (another #2) could run it. He sucked and they were stuck. It was between Hardy Nickerson and Kirkland at that time.

Bishop = stupid. And leaving him in that game was on Johnson.

Considine = another dumb decision. No defending them there.

But they have made good calls too. I'm not going to tote the line on every player to wear green. They have made a lot of zesty decisions and deserved to be ripped like hell for them.

Quotewhy would i give reid credit if im supposed to wait to see if it works....ill be the first to admit that i was wrong but ill be flabbergasted if this improves the defense....hell ill give andy credit if this doesnt lose them any games

I'd give him credit for not staying put on what they have at MLB right now and identifying it as a weakness.

Quote from: SunMo on September 29, 2009, 03:32:00 PM
yeah, but you can't just walk off the street and be a leader.  half the guys on the defense weren't even there when he played last

most people i would agree...but trotter is a born leader...and a vocal one...even more so than dawk...plus hes a well known incredibly respected philadephia eagle who obviously has the backing of big red who absolutely loves him...i have no doubt he will get all up in someone like gaither or gocong and they will take heed...not saying it will help but that aspect cannot hurt....the problem will lie in if he is like willie mays on the mets when he gets on the field...if he cant at least play a little then he wont garner the respect he normally would...thats a much bigger concern than the coming in off the street part IMO


hell kevin kolb is crediting ike reese with his current transformation into respectable player

Quote from: PhillyPhreak54 on September 29, 2009, 03:41:56 PM
I'd give him credit for not staying put on what they have at MLB right now and identifying it as a weakness.

then again you give andy reid credit for his car turning over every morning

Garcia released so Trotter could be signed

Quotemost people i would agree...but trotter is a born leader...and a vocal one...even more so than dawk...plus hes a well known incredibly respected philadephia eagle who obviously has the backing of big red who absolutely loves him...i have no doubt he will get all up in someone like gaither or gocong and they will take heed...not saying it will help but that aspect cannot hurt....the problem will lie in if he is like willie mays on the mets when he gets on the field...if he cant at least play a little then he wont garner the respect he normally would...thats a much bigger concern than the coming in off the street part IMO


hell kevin kolb is crediting ike reese with his current transformation into respectable player

Agreed on the leadership thing. I think it gets overhyped sometimes, but in certain cases it holds true. This is one of them. Trotter is respected by the veterans on the team, by the coaches and he would not hesitate to get up in someone's face.

Say what about Kolb? Where'd ya hear that? Very interesting stuff

eskin: i dont know if youve heard but the eagles just signed jeremiah trotter....what do you think

phil martelli: what they sign him for....a fantasy camp?

Quote from: ice grillin you on September 29, 2009, 03:50:58 PM
eskin: i dont know if youve heard but the eagles just signed jeremiah trotter....what do you think

phil martelli: what they sign him for....a fantasy camp?

lol at Martelli's opinion on the Eagles.

Same with Specter on the morning show

Quote from: PhillyPhreak54 on September 29, 2009, 03:48:23 PM

Quote
Say what about Kolb? Where'd ya hear that? Very interesting stuff

check the wip website...theres a podcast of an interview he did on the eskin show yesterday and he talks about ike there

3 pages for a guy who's gonna be the 45th guy on Sundays?

Yay, I guess.

You just made it 4 pages which makes it all the more exciting

When did Trotter have glory days?

I'm not so sure they shouldn't have released Vick instead of Garcia. Either one is only a one season rental and Garcia brings more to the table. The only thing Vick adds is a possibility of throwing out of the wildcat (Pimp, Westbrook, and maybe even Maclin are at least as good and likely better otherwise).

phreaks trotter













trotter



















































gf's trotter

trotter's closer to gf's trotter than phreak's trotter

Maybe IGY's scale would be more accurate ten years ago.

Quote"It's going to be exciting to get out there and make a play and drop the axe."

and he got 54 back

Booooooooooo

Did he say which game he was planning to make that play in?

QuoteJeremiah Trotter is going to get a chance to see if it's true what they say about the third time.

The Eagles signed the former Pro Bowl middle linebacker to a one-year deal at the league minimum. The move would have come as a surprise a week ago, but seemed to become a formality yesterday when Trotter worked out for a second time. Trotter, a four-time Pro Bowler, last played for the Eagles in 2006. It's not exactly clear what role Trotter will play in his return to the Eagles.

"I don't think they brought me back to play special teams," Trotter said today at the NovaCare Complex.
Trotter said he was still in a state of shock. It's safe the say he's probably not the only one. Nevertheless, Trotter is back and he'll be wearing his old No. 54 after he made a deal with linebacker Tracy White.

"I always dreamed I would retire as an Eagle," said Trotter, who felt like he had at least three years of football left in his 32-year-old body. "Hopefully, that can still happen."

Trotter said that he did better than he expected on a physical the Eagles gave him yesterday. "They said my knees looked better" than last time he was with the Eagles, Trotter said. "Which is odd for me." Trotter said he had his right knee cleaned out a few months after he was released by Tampa Bay following the 2007 season. He spent the 2008 season out of the league.

He said today that he weighed around 257 pounds. He also revealed that he worked out for the St. Louis Rams in the off-season, but nothing came of it. Still, he kept training and kept believing that this day would come.

"Jeremiah Trotter has always been one of my favorite players," head coach Andy Reid said in a press release. "He has worked very hard to keep himself in shape and we are pleased with where he is physically. We are excited to give him an opportunity to contribute to our football team."

To make room for Trotter on their 53-man roster, the Eagles have released quarterback Jeff Garcia.

"Jeff Garcia is a true professional and I know the players and coaches appreciated having him around these last two weeks," Reid said. "There is no doubt Jeff can still perform at a championship caliber level in the National Football League."

:yay

Quote from: General_Failure on September 29, 2009, 03:57:51 PM
When did Trotter have glory days?

When he cashed in that big 'ol taterskins check?  Im sure he picked up some sweet cars.

I wonder if Phreak is going to wear his Trotter jersey to services on Sunday?

Quote from: Rome on September 29, 2009, 06:20:43 PM
I wonder if Phreak is going to wear his Trotter jersey to services on Sunday?

I know I will this week!!

Farg yeah, Five Foooooo back up in here!

and forget Garcia right now, Kolb played well and Vick gives them, well another angle at QB :paranoid

QuoteTrotter Calls Signing "Crazy" - Tuesday, September 29, 2009
89 Views :: 0 Comments :: [Article Rating] :: Team - Eagles, Brian Seltzer



When the Eagles return to work next Monday coming off their bye week, MLB Jeremiah Trotter will be sporting his old #54 uniform.  One of his first orders of business after signing a one-year contract with team he enjoyed two previous stints with was working out a deal with Tracy White to reclaim his digits.

As far as what to see from the 32-year old Trotter when he dons midnight green and white for the third time in his career, the Pro Bowler said, "They're bringing me in to play.  I don't think they're brining me in to play special teams.  Obviously, it's going to take some time to get me in game shape, to where I can play a lot of plays, but I'm expecting the first game to be out there playing right away."

Trotter said the club told him they saw value in his potential to bring, as he put it, a "downhill, physical, attacking the line of scrimmage, hitting something in the mouth" style to the Birds.

When asked whether he feels like he will need to be designated a starter, Trotter responded, "I'm not thinking about that.  I just want to go out and play. Whenever they put me in the game, I want to produce.  If they put me in the game two plays a game, and I produce, you know you keep making plays, you get more playing time."  Clearly, the Axe Man still has a lot of belief in his abilities.

Part of the reason Trotter is exuding so much confidence is because of the way he currently feels about his health.  He indicated his right knee is in better shape now than it was when he returned to the Eagles for the first time following the 2003 campaign with the Washington taterskins.

Trotter also provided additional details on the origins  this improbable development .  Last week, when news broke of his first workout, he said that it emanated from Andy Reid taking him up on a pitch he first texted the head coach following Stewart Bradley's ACL tear in August.  Trotter remembered Reid responded with the text, "LOL-you're funny.  That's what I like about you.  When you turn 60 you still are going to think you can play."

Not discouraged by the reply, Trotter remained diligent, sending Reid and also new defensive coordinator Sean McDermott another text later in the pre-season, lobbying for an opportunity, asking both, "What do you have to lose?"  Again, Trotter received no indication that he would be given a shot.

Trotter started to sense interest from the Eagles at a premium ticket holders event he attended on September 9th.  Both Birds owner Jeffrey Lurie, team president Joe Banner, and head trainer Rick Burkholder were in attendance.  Before the function started, Banner subtly asked Trotter, "Trot, you in shape?"  Trotter answered, "Yeah man, I'm ready."  Trotter then recalled Banner instructing him, "Alright, stay in shape."

Trotter laughed off the suggestion.  But then Banner said, "For real, stay in shape" with a serious tone in his voice.  Then, inside the event, Lurie approached Trotter asking the same question that Banner did.  "Are you in shape?" the squad's CEO inquired.  Trotter told him the same thing he told Banner.  Lurie added, "Stay in shape.  You might be getting a call."  Burkholder offered the same advice.

When Trotter returned home that night, he said he couldn't wait to get up the next morning to work out.  After awaking the next day, he started running at 9:30 AM until he "nearly passed out."  Reid phoned him last Thursday for the linebacker's first tryout, and  Trotter's remarkable comeback was set in motion.

Today, Trotter talked about having a dream about a year ago, when he was out of a job, in which he once again was a member of the Eagles.  He told several people about the vision, including his pastor and current Birds defensive quality control assistant Mike Caldwell.  Trotter said about the dream, "It sounded crazy then, it sounds crazy now."

This afternoon, when Trotter ran into Caldwell at the Nova Care Complex, Caldwell told him, "You called it."

So they had this in mind all along

Phreak, you're gonna have to delete your RIP Five Fo

let him play a game first.  anything could happen.  dudes old in football years, shrapnel from his knee might shoot out and hit him in something vital.

good to know the owner and the accountant are acquiring new talent at season ticket holder functions

Good to know that the head coach uses "LOL"

Hi, I'm Todd.

I'm not sure I'm on board with the furor or excitement. It's really pretty meaningless. Maybe they just need a little veteran leadership to help with the young D. Maybe Trotter has a play or two left, or maybe he's flat-out done. Either way, there's a slight chance that he'll contribute more than a fourth QB would. I'm not expecting much from him. I think it's more an acknowledgment that they miss Dawk more than they thought they would. The difference is, now that Trotter has been out of football for awhile, the expectations will be low across the board...and he won't feel the need to start.

has anyone seen pictures pf him recently?  i would assume that he's fat as shtein.

Quote from: PhillyPhreak54 on September 29, 2009, 11:04:10 PM
When Trotter returned home that night, he said he couldn't wait to get up the next morning to work out.  After awaking the next day, he started running at 9:30 AM until 9:38 AM when he "nearly passed out."

Quote from: General_Failure on September 30, 2009, 09:45:40 AM

Quote from: PhillyPhreak54 on September 29, 2009, 11:04:10 PM
When Trotter returned home that night, he said he couldn't wait to get up the next morning to work out.  After awaking the next day, he started running at 9:30 AM until 9:38 AM when he "nearly passed out."

:)
Luckily plays don't last 8 minutes.

Looking forward to the first chop!

Quote from: phattymatty on September 30, 2009, 09:33:50 AM
has anyone seen pictures pf him recently?  i would assume that he's fat as shtein.

He said he weighed in at 257

QuoteTrotter says return to Eagles is dream come true

By LES BOWEN
Philadelphia Daily News

bowenl@phillynews.com

IT ISN'T UNCOMMON for an athlete to believe he can still play, long after his final game is in the books.

It is uncommon for an athlete to hold onto that notion so fiercely that he eventually gets someone to reconsider, to give him a chance to write a different final chapter.

Jeremiah Trotter was always stubborn, strong-willed. That was one of the reasons the Eagles and their fans liked him so much. And it's one of the reasons Trotter will be wearing his familiar No. 54 jersey for an amazing third tour of duty with the team, when practice resumes next Monday after the bye week.

"At some points, like last year, when I was sitting at home . . . I was like, 'Should I give it up and start doing something else?' Something just kept telling me to work out," Trotter told reporters in a conference call yesterday, after the Eagles announced they have signed him to a 1-year contract, apparently for the veteran minimum. Quarterback Jeff Garcia was released, an expected move, given that Donovan McNabb apparently will return to practice Monday. (And maybe a welcome move, given that the Dolphins suddenly would seem to need a QB. Garcia's agent, Steve Baker, did not respond to a request for comment.)

Trotter, who has obtained Tracy White's permission to reclaim his familiar number, underwent a right-knee cleanout early in 2008. He had it done on his own, in hopes he could interest a team in signing him; the Eagles had released Trotter on Aug. 21, 2007 - "One of the toughest things I've ever had to deal with," he said yesterday - and he'd spent the season with Tampa Bay, mostly watching other linebackers play. It was apparent to Trotter and to everyone else that even though he was only 30, he could no longer move well enough to play in the NFL. He said yesterday that part of the problem was bone chips floating around in his right knee.

That didn't mean The Ax Man was giving up, though. He had the surgery, worked out right after that for San Francisco, didn't get signed, kept working out, watched the 2008 season slip past, kept working out, lost some weight, took a physical for former Eagles assistant Steve Spagnuolo after Spagnuolo took over the St. Louis Rams, didn't get signed, kept working out, talked to Eagles coaches at Jim Johnson's funeral, kept working out, texted Andy Reid when Stewart Bradley went down early last month, didn't hear back, kept working out, and finally last week he got the first of two chances to show his old team what he could do. The day after the second workout, in which Trotter was asked to show his battle-scarred knee could function in pass coverage, Trotter was back with the Eagles, at long last.

"I just trained, the whole [time] I was out," he said. "I was able to get my body rest . . . I rehabbed and just stayed in shape. I changed my workout regimen, lost some weight, and did a lot of praying."

He said he was told after his physical Monday that his knees looked better than they had 2 years earlier; Trotter said he feels he has "at least 3 years left."

"[The surgery] really helped me get my explosion back," he said. "I feel better now than when I came to Washington," in 2002.

Trotter remembered yesterday that a few months after being released, he'd had some dreams in which he was playing for the Eagles again.

"I woke up, I was thinking I was crazy," he said. "I actually told a couple people . . . it sounded crazy then. It sounds crazy now . . . I'm just happy to be back in that green. I was raised in this system, in those colors, in this city, and I feel like I'm just as much a part of this city as anyone who ever played here."

Fans probably wouldn't argue. Trotter, listed at 6-2, 262 when he played here, currently at 257, he said, played in four Pro Bowls as an Eagle. He arrived in 1998 as a third-round draftee out of Stephen F. Austin, left early in 2002 for Washington in a contract dispute, returned in 2004 and helped push the Birds to the Super Bowl. When he left in 2007, the team held an emotional farewell press conference.

"This is just kind of overwhelming right now," said Trotter, who presumably is here to shore up the defense against the run, and to provide leadership to a unit that is missing both middle linebacker Bradley and free safety Brian Dawkins, who signed as a free agent with Denver. Asked what he'd been told about his role, Trotter said, "Come in and be a leader, work hard, and obviously, make some plays," normally on first and second down.

Though this is the same system Trotter played in during his previous tours - with a new coordinator, Sean McDermott - Trotter said he has some bye-week brushing up to do. He said he expects to be able to contribute right away - presumably that means against the Bucs. "How much, that's hard to say. It's going to take some time to run around in those full pads and get in game shape," he said.

"Jeremiah Trotter has always been one of my favorite players," Reid said in a statement. "He has worked very hard to keep himself in shape and we are pleased with where he is physically. We are excited to give him an opportunity to contribute to our football team."

Trotter said he spoke to current starting middle linebacker Omar Gaither on Monday, and does not believe they will have any problems working together. Gaither's development was one of the reasons the Eagles released Trotter 2 years ago.

"Omar and I, we'll help each other out," he said.

Gaither did not respond to a request for comment last night.

Trotter said walking back onto the field in an Eagles uniform will be exciting.

"It's going to be even more exciting when I can make that first big play and drop the ax," he said

Quote from: SunMo on September 30, 2009, 08:27:22 AM
Good to know that the head coach uses "LOL"

Hi, I'm Todd.

I thought that was funny as hell. 

I actually liked Reid for like 6 seconds there.

QuotePaul Domowitch: Eagles need to stop run, but is aging Trotter the answer?

By Paul Domowitch
Philadelphia Daily News

Daily News Sports Columnist

JIM JOHNSON loved Jeremiah Trotter. Loved the unique blend of athleticism and physicality he brought to the middle linebacker position. Loved his fearless downhill style, even if he occasionally went down the wrong hill. Loved his Ax Man work ethic. Loved the intensity and passion he brought to the game.

Trotter was the kind of player Johnson wished he could have coached forever. But the Eagles' late defensive coordinator saw 2 years ago that forever was knocking on the door.

"Trot can't play too many plays anymore," he said outside the visitors' locker room at the Louisiana Superdome following the Eagles' 27-24 playoff loss to the Saints. "He's getting up there in age and you've gotta watch that.

"He's a great person. He plays hard and he's a competitor. But ...

His degenerative knees had robbed him of his quickness, mobility and explosion. He had become a liability in coverage and his range as a run defender was limited. He was 30 going on 50.

The Saints gashed Johnson's defense for 435 yards that day, including 208 on the ground. They were the eighth team in the last 11 games that season to rush for 140-plus yards against the Eagles. Trotter certainly wasn't the only reason for that, but having a middle linebacker whose bad wheels chained him to the "A" gap didn't help.

The Eagles released him the following summer, convinced he was near the end. But in a strange twist, they brought him back for an encore yesterday, signing him to a 1-year, veteran-minimum deal.

Trotter's return to the Eagles raises a couple of fairly significant questions: 1) Why did they feel compelled to bring him back? And 2) Can a guy who was running on empty at age 30 be any more productive at 32?

The obvious answer to the first question is that the Eagles aren't particularly happy with their middle linebacker situation. After Stewart Bradley tore his right anterior cruciate ligament in training camp, the tentative plan was to split the MIKE job between second-year man Joe Mays and Omar Gaither. The 5-11, 246-pound Mays essentially would play on first and second down, and Gaither would replace him in the Eagles' two-linebacker nickel package.

But the Eagles soured on Mays in the preseason and made Gaither their every-down middle linebacker. Gaither is a smart, fundamentally sound player who almost always is where he's supposed to be. But he weighs only a shade over 230 pounds and isn't a physical, downhill run stopper like Bradley or Trotter.

Still, the Eagles have done a pretty good job against the run in their first three games. They are ninth in the league in yards allowed per carry (3.6) and 15th in rushing yards allowed per game (106.0).

But alarms went off in Week 2 when they gave up 4.6 yards per carry to the Saints in an ugly, 48-22 loss. The Saints had four runs of 15 yards or more in the game. In the Eagles' first three games, 17 of 88 opponent rushing attempts have produced 7 or more yards.

Head coach Andy Reid and defensive coordinator Sean McDermott undoubtedly are concerned about the six NFC East games that lie ahead, beginning with a Monday night visit to Washington on Oct. 26.

Last year, despite finishing fourth in the league against the run, the Eagles struggled against the ground games in their division. They gave up 120-plus rushing yards only six times in 19 games, but four of those six were against NFC East teams (see chart below).

Through the first 3 weeks of the season, the 2-1 Cowboys are first in the league in rushing, averaging 193.7 yards per game and an eye-popping 6.8 yards per carry. The 3-0 Giants are eighth (142.0, 4.0). The 0-3 taterskins are 24th, but Clinton Portis has averaged 105 rushing yards per game against the Eagles the last 2 years.

So that's the answer to the why question. But while I can understand why Reid and McDermott might feel a need to bolster their run defense, I'm not sure I see how signing a guy whose gas gauge was clearly on empty 2 years ago accomplishes that.

Modern medicine has enabled athletes to make almost-as-good-as-new recoveries from a plethora of serious injuries. But degenerative knees aren't one of them.

Trotter had arthroscopic surgery on his right knee last year that he says has restored much of the mobility he lacked in '06. The Eagles, who worked him out twice and gave him a thorough physical before signing him, apparently agree.

"He has worked very hard to keep himself in shape, and we are pleased with where he is physically," Reid said in a statement. "We are excited to give him an opportunity to contribute to our football team."

Listen, I love a good comeback story as much as the next guy, especially when it involves a likable guy such as Trotter. But I have a hard time believing that one cleanout surgery and a year away from the game have erased the damage done to his knees by two torn ACLs and nine brutal seasons of NFL combat.

Trotter said the Eagles brought him in "to play physical, to play downhill and disrupt things," which sounds as if they plan eventually to plug him in at middle linebacker in their base package on first and second downs.

The problem there is that opposing offensive coordinators aren't stupid. Even if Trotter has regained enough mobility to be a functional run defender, you can bet teams will throw at him.

That's what happened in '06. When Johnson stopped putting him on the field on passing downs, teams started throwing at him on first and second down.

In Trotter's defense, the cast that surrounded him in '06 wasn't nearly as good as the one that will surround him now. Defensive tackle Brodrick Bunkley was a clueless first-round rookie who couldn't get on the field that year. Trotter had to rely on oft-injured Darwin Walker and overworked Mike Patterson to keep blockers off him.

Walker is long gone, and Bunkley and Patterson, who play mainly on first and second down now, have developed into one of the league's top interior run-stopping tandems.

In '06, Trotter had undersized Dhani Jones lining up next to him at strongside linebacker. Now he has athletic, 260-pound Chris Gocong (HI HAVAS!), who, unlike Jones, is capable of forcing a lot of runs inside toward the middle linebacker.

As I said, I love a good comeback story. If Trotter is able to step in and make a positive contribution to an Eagles playoff run, good for him. Couldn't happen to a nicer guy.

But I keep remembering what I saw out there on the field in the Louisiana Superdome 2 years ago, and I keep remembering Jim Johnson's grim prognosis of his middle linebacker that day.

And this just seems like a shot in the dark.

Eagles ground defense

Despite finishing fourth in the NFL in run defense last season, the Eagles struggled against NFC East's ground games. They allowed 120-plus rushing yards only six times in 19 games, but four of those six came against division opponents. Here is the Eagles' rushing defense vs. the NFC East in 2008, plus how those opponents are doing this season:

9/15/08, at Cowboys, L: 37-41; 24 carries, 68 yards, 2.8 average

10/5/08, vs. taterskins, L: 17-23; 44 carries, 203 yards, 4.6 average

11/9/08, vs. Giants, L: 31-36, 45 carries, 219 yards, 4.9 average

12/7/08, at Giants, W: 20-14, 24 carries, 88 yards, 3.7

12/21/08, at taterskins, L: 3-10, 32 carries, 122 yards, 3.8 average

12/28/08, vs. Cowboys, W: 44-6, 19 carrries, 87 yards, 4.6 average

1/11/09, at Giants (playoffs), W: 23-11, 32 carries, 138 yards, 4.3 average

NFC EAST OPPONENTS' 2009 RUSHING

Cowboys: 1st in NFL, 193.7 yards per game, 6.8 yards per carry

Giants: 8th, 142.0 YPG, 4.0 YPC

taterskins: 24th, 91.7 YPG, 4.0 YPC

Domo raises valid points and they all could be true. But like I said yesterday, with the Eagles realizing they need help stopping the run, why not take a shot?

If he fails, or blows his knees up again, then you plug Gaither back in there and hope he can get the job done.

QuoteAshley Fox: Trotter's return to Eagles feels right

By Ashley Fox

Inquirer NFL columnist
"I truly believe that if you were to cut me, I'd bleed green." - Jeremiah Trotter, Aug. 20, 2007

Some things never change.

Jeremiah Trotter is back. It's unbelievable yet seems so natural, amazing but feels so right. This love affair between the Eagles and Trotter continues. They're back together, yet again.

Say it with me. The Ax Man is back.

Trotter is ready to drop the ax. And this Eagles season just keeps getting weirder.

A day after a second workout persuaded Andy Reid to rehire him, Trotter was at the NovaCare Complex yesterday trying to shake out the cobwebs and come to grips with being a professional football player again. It's been two years, one knee surgery, and many doubts since he last pulled on the pads, and after absorbing a little contact on the practice field yesterday, Trotter was understandably bleary.

He's back in green for a third time, not as a charity case and not just to provide leadership to a defense that is young in spots. He's here to play, and not just special teams. He wants to resume his old-school role of essentially being a nose tackle in the middle linebacker's position. He wants to start. And he will be in No. 54. He took care of that little bit of housekeeping with Tracy White first thing yesterday.

It remains to be seen what the 32-year-old has left, but Trotter looked trim and cut yesterday, even in a white, collared shirt and blue pants. He said he's been working out for two years, hanging on to the hope that he might one day resume his career. He said he weighs 257 pounds, and has exchanged a little flab for muscle mass.

And those knees that prematurely forced him to the sideline after the 2007 season are better. He even passed a physical.

"I never thought I'd be back," Trotter said yesterday.

But it is true. The Ax Man is back.

Ever since Stewart Bradley went down in August, Trotter thought this day might come. After Bradley's season-ending knee injury, Trotter texted Reid.

I'm in great shape. I'm healthy.

Reid's response: LOL. You're funny. That's what I like about you. When you turn 60, you still are going to think you can play.

A couple of weeks later, Trotter texted Eagles defensive coordinator Sean McDermott.

Bring me in for a workout. What do you have to lose?

And then Trotter ran into two-thirds of the triumvirate at an event at Lincoln Financial Field. Joe Banner asked Trotter if he was in shape.

"I said, 'Yeah, man, I'm ready,' " Trotter said.

"Stay in shape," Banner replied.

Then Trotter saw Jeffrey Lurie.

"He said, 'Trot, you in shape?' " Trotter said. "I said, 'Yeah.' He said, 'All right. Stay in shape. You might get the call.' So then I was like, 'Whoa, this thing is serious.'

"I was already working out, but I couldn't wait to get back home. I was out there at 9:30 [at night] running in the yard. I was out there running until I almost passed out."

Now, he's an Eagle.

It seems like only yesterday that Trotter was leaving the NovaCare Complex, seemingly for good. In August 2007, Reid made the painful decision to release Trotter. He had called Trotter into his office, and the men cried "like two old ladies," Trotter said at the time.

The next day, as a steady drizzle fell, Trotter said goodbye to his teammates in the practice bubble, telling them to savor every moment on the field and take advantage of every opportunity to play. He passed the proverbial middle linebacker torch to a young Omar Gaither, hugged Brian Dawkins, then wept at the podium as he talked to the media about his love for the Eagles.

"That was a tough day," Trotter said yesterday. "I've always dreamed honestly of retiring as an Eagle, and I still hope and pray that one day I can do that, but to walk away from the game when I'm ready. . . ."

That day, "It hurt. I ain't going to lie. It was emotional. . . . I feel like I'm just as much a part of this city as anybody that's ever played here."

Trotter is right, of course. He bleeds green, there is no question. Does he really have anything to offer at 32? We're about to find out.

Is Trotter an Eagles by the end of the season?

Yes.

And going to Hawaii in the Pro Bowl!!!

wow...file that under the category of "overly optimistic."

Obviously I'm bullshteintin.  :-D

I may be a Trotter homer, but I'm not stupid.

It's looking like a no brainer signing.  I wouldn't expect much but I also wouldn't be surprised if he makes some nice plays as well.  Can't doubt the guy loves to play and plays with a lot of passion so you know that if he doesn't produce it won't be for a lack of desire.

Quote from: mussa on September 30, 2009, 10:56:45 AM
Is Trotter an Eagles by the end of the season?

50/50 at best


explain one thing to me because i dont understand it...

He said he was told after his physical Monday that his knees looked better than they had 2 years earlier; Trotter said he feels he has "at least 3 years left."

"[The surgery] really helped me get my explosion back," he said. "I feel better now than when I came to Washington," in 2002.


if he had this miracle knee surgery that is allowing a 32 year old man to be healthier than he was seven years ago and allow him to go another three years then why hasnt any of the 32 teams picked him up before yesterday?

Because nobody believes adding more scar tissue will ever make someone more athletic.

I think Trotter is just naturally pumping up his knee because he's excited to play again and probably right now he feels better than he has ever felt in his professional career since he just took a year off from the grind.  I would imagine other teams didn't touch him because his role is limited now and maybe those teams expect more out of the MLB position or that those other teams run different schemes that he's not well suited for.

I'm sure teams work out players just to see if they have anything left, and only if that player blows the team away will they even consider giving him a job.  I would imagine many of the teams weren't too serious in giving him workouts in the past.  Plus it makes sense for the Eagles because presumably his learning curve will be practically non-existent, so he could be able to step in for running plays/3rd and short/goal line plays to provide a push up the middle and try to cause some disruption.  I would be pleasantly surprised if he contributed more than in situations where there is a very high probability a team is going to run. 

from here on out when a football player goes to dr andrews your first thought will be "oh farg hes gonna need jeremiah trotter surgery"

Quote from: ice grillin you on September 30, 2009, 11:33:29 AM
from here on out when a football player goes to dr andrews your first thought will be "oh farg hes gonna need jeremiah trotter surgery"

for knees.  if it's a shoulder job, then its a chad pennington surgery. 

well he's 3rd on the depth chart at MLB behind two scrubs.

Quote from: ice grillin you on September 30, 2009, 11:15:30 AM

if he had this miracle knee surgery that is allowing a 32 year old man to be healthier than he was seven years ago and allow him to go another three years then why hasnt any of the 32 teams picked him up before yesterday?

trotter continuing to work out and getting in even better shape after his initial tryouts with teams was a big reason the eagles scooped him, but the other big reason...Eaglez got it right:

"Plus it makes sense for the Eagles because presumably his learning curve will be practically non-existent"

that was a rhetorical question idiot...stop being a jerk off

no it wasnt..you really wanted to know and I told you

Quote from: reese125 on September 30, 2009, 01:43:10 PM
no it wasnt..you really wanted to know and I told you

I know I didn't.

Quote from: reese125 on September 30, 2009, 01:43:10 PM
no it wasnt..you really wanted to know and I told you

yes it was....see gf for a non douchebag response from someone who 'gets it'

clown

I dont believe you because I know your dumb ass doesnt get it

Quote from: PhillyPhreak54 on September 30, 2009, 11:02:53 AM
Yes.

And going to Hawaii in the Pro Bowl after buying plane tickets!

FTFY.

Seriously though, I'm holding off until I see him on the field. If he's even 75% of his former ability he's an upgrade over Gaither, at least on running downs.

Trotter will look great for the next 3 weeks, which are jokes.   First test is Giants....

And he's gonna smash Brandon Jacobs right in the mouth.  ;D

That I wanna' see.

I remember last year when Gocong caught Jacobs pretty good in mid air. Would love to see Trot drop the axe on Jacobs

Quote from: PhillyPhreak54 on October 09, 2009, 12:36:12 AM
And he's gonna smash Brandon Jacobs right in the mouth.  ;D

For a mere six yard gain!

I hope I'm no where near my television the first time Trotter breaks out the wood-chopping celebration. I really don't feel like buying a new one.

Quote from: rjs246 on October 09, 2009, 11:31:40 AM
I hope I'm no where near my television the first time Trotter breaks out the wood-chopping celebration. I really don't feel like buying a new one.

Elvis is alive...

(http://godhungry.org/wp-content/images/trainwreck.jpg)

my names jeremiah trotter and i should be in a wheelchair.

im not sure how he can go from 2 yrs out of the league to time on the field. oh wait, thats possible because the eagles don't care about the linebacker position.

TROTTER! (http://bobsworth.dreamhosters.com/keyboardcat/index.php?id=YbW071xYivY&start=24)

wood choppa!