Why Eagles Fly High - They Lead NFL With Players On Their 2nd Contracts

[PhillyPhreak54]

goeagles99 posted this on the EMB and it is a great read. It certianly makes the case for those, like me, who think Westbrook will be re-signed.

Ira Miller - San Francisco Chronicle

If someone didn't know better, one might think the Eagles, who play the Raiders today, don't take very good care of their players.

Yet, just the opposite is true.

Hardly any team in the NFL takes better care of its players than Philadelphia, and that's one reason the Eagles have played in four straight NFC championship games and have a pretty good shot at No. 5.

So consider this: Counting only legitimate contract extensions, not salary-cap window dressing, this is the fourth year in a row that Philadelphia leads the league in the number of players who are on at least their second contract with the team.

What that means is this: Players are eager to re-sign with the Eagles, and the team makes a strong effort to re-sign its own players. In each of the last four years, at least 13 of Philly's 24 front-liners (22 starters, punter and kicker) have been on at least their second Eagles' contract.

Philadelphia's four-year total is 58 players on at least their second contract with the team. Green Bay is closest at 51. Even three-time Super Bowl champ New England had only 44 players in that category over four years. The 49ers had 38 (including 11 this year), the Raiders 34 (including 5 this year).

Further, four starters in recent years who left Philadelphia as free agents later returned to the Eagles, including middle linebacker Jeremiah Trotter and defensive end N.D. Kalu, who are current starters.

"Andy (Reid) has a lot to do with it," said Don Yee, an agent who represents three Eagles players. "He's a great coach and he also is honest, and he also is, at bottom, affable, which is a really good and difficult combination to come by.

"When guys leave and go see what it's like at other places, they realize what they had there. Take the atmosphere that Andy's created in Philadelphia and combine that with the fact they've got fantastic facilities and a passionate fan base that allows them certain local and regional off-field opportunities, it's a really good place to be."

When the Eagles say they're going to do something, they're not threatening, but merely stating fact, and then they follow through.

"In my business, that can be frustrating," said Ralph Cindrich, an agent who represents two Philly players. "At times, you want to get them outside the box."

Cindrich points out, however, that with some teams, "Sometimes, you can have this feeling from (management) that they want to exert their control, their authority, their power, over the players and others maybe more than is warranted." And with the Eagles? "You just don't get that feeling there," he said.

[PhillyGirl]

Berman was saying that like 2 weeks ago, or last week, on Monday night Countdown...that the Eagles have more players re-signed year after year than any other team.

[SunMo]

technically, isn't Westbrook on his 2nd contract?

i guess that stat isn't all it's cracked up to be.

[StevieLeftCollege]

technically, isn't Westbrook on his 2nd contract?

i guess that stat isn't all it's cracked up to be.

interesting point...i would think so since hes playing under the one year tender right now.

[rjs246]

Well that example of ONE INSTANCE certainly disproves everything that Miller and Berman are talking about with regard to this team. Good point, Sun.

[SunMo]

Well that example of ONE INSTANCE certainly disproves everything that Miller and Berman are talking about with regard to this team. Good point, Sun.

i'm just pointing out that any stat can be manipulated to prove a point.  sorry to burst your bubble

[PhillyPhreak54]

I should've guessed that this would attempt to be shot down.

God forbid if anyone praises the FO in this town.

I want Westbrook signed too. But you cannot deny the fact that the Eagles take care of their own (the ones they choose to) and the notion that they're cheap is easily proven wrong too.

If you can tell me with a straight face that the Eagles front office (Reid, Banner, Heckert) look at tape, listen to comments from opponents and let him go...I think you're nuts.

I want him signed. I wish they'd sign him soon so people (including Westbrook) would shut the farg up about it.

[SunMo]

i'll praise the FO too, because 95% of the time, they deserve it.  but I can't stand it when there is a conflict, i.e. TO, Westbrook, even when Hugh left, and all of the sudden, this information supporting the Eagles mysteriously comes out through people like Howard and others.  and this information that magically appears always seems to rip the player and question or make the FO look better. 

i know the FO isn't cheap, i've never once said that.  i know they take care of their own like Lito and Sheldon on their own terms.  But if a player steps out of place or speaks out against the FO, it's lights out for that player for the most part. 

So, the FO is one of the best in football, but they know it and there is a certain arrogance to their ways.  And they seem very vindictive when somebody has the nerve to question their methods.

[PhillyGirl]

They've been incredibly vindictive with TO. 

And Trotter...and Hugh. 

[ice grillin you]

there is a certain arrogance to their ways

understatement of all-time

[PhillyPhreak54]

Mo & IGY,

Do you guys follow other teams? This happens everywhere. The arrogance and information leaking happens in every NFL city. Shoot, it happens in everyday life too with our government.

Did you follow the Keenan McCardell hold-out in Tampa last year?
Did you notice that San Diego SUSPENDED their start TE?

Imagine if Reid suspended a guy like that and the Birds lost by 4 points because of it.

This happens everywhere, guys.

[SunMo]

They've been incredibly vindictive with TO. 

And Trotter...and Hugh. 

yeah, they were, as soon as he hired Rosenhaus, Howard knew that TO slept in meetings and was late to games...

with Trotter, when he left all you heard about was how undisciplined he was and he really wasn't that good anyway, from who?? 

[SunMo]

Mo & IGY,

Do you guys follow other teams? This happens everywhere. The arrogance and information leaking happens in every NFL city. Shoot, it happens in everyday life too with our government.

Did you follow the Keenan McCardell hold-out in Tampa last year?
Did you notice that San Diego SUSPENDED their start TE?

Imagine if Reid suspended a guy like that and the Birds lost by 4 points because of it.

This happens everywhere, guys.

i know it does, but we are here and they call themselves the best FO in football here. 

dude, im not a FO hater, but just because I don't hate, doesn't mean i won't criticize if i feel it's right.  i love the Eagles, but i don't divide the love between the players and FO, if i feel the player is stupid, TO, i will say it.  if i feel the FO is stupid, Westbrook, I will say it.  i don't belong to one "team" like others here, and blindly follow that group no matter what happens.

[PhillyPhreak54]

Mo & IGY,

Do you guys follow other teams? This happens everywhere. The arrogance and information leaking happens in every NFL city. Shoot, it happens in everyday life too with our government.

Did you follow the Keenan McCardell hold-out in Tampa last year?
Did you notice that San Diego SUSPENDED their start TE?

Imagine if Reid suspended a guy like that and the Birds lost by 4 points because of it.

This happens everywhere, guys.

i know it does, but we are here and they call themselves the best FO in football here. 

dude, im not a FO hater, but just because I don't hate, doesn't mean i won't criticize if i feel it's right.  i love the Eagles, but i don't divide the love between the players and FO, if i feel the player is stupid, TO, i will say it.  if i feel the FO is stupid, Westbrook, I will say it.  i don't belong to one "team" like others here, and blindly follow that group no matter what happens.

I'm not saying don't criticize. And I'm not saying you're a hater. But they should be given the benefit of the doubt. When/if Westbrook is allowed to walk, then criticize. I'll be the one leading that charge, by the way.

My whole point is that I hate it when people say the Eagles are arrogant. We know they are. And we also know that in order to be good in business you have to be shrewd and arrogant sometimes. If you're a nice guy you'll be taken advantage of after awhile.

It's not just the Philadelphia Eagles who are arrogant...that's my point.

[PhillyGirl]

Sun Mo...you are saying basically that is okay that Westbrook is still running his mouth about the contract DURING the season right after a big win. But its NOT okay that TO talked about it before the season but now shut up.

You're right, they are 2 different situations. One shut up and just plays football. The other plays football and doesn't shut his farging mouth about it.

Before the season started, who EVER would have thought that the one who shut up and played was TO, not Westbrook?