The Eagles Offseason Thread(all aboard the Brian Finneran bandwagon)

[PoopyfaceMcGee]

If you don't mind reading through the bullshtein, Spadaro's doing a blog today:
http://www.philadelphiaeagles.com/news/Story.asp?story_id=15169&spadaro=1

9:46 a.m.

More on Samuel: Obviously, the Eagles know that they have to get him signed today. They understand the market. It would be absolutely huge if he signs here. The man is one of the best play-makers in the NFL and he would give the Eagles a great picture at cornerback. Obviously, you would wonder if there would be another shoe to drop here. If the Eagles sign Samuel, would they trade ...? We can consider that for another time. Let's get a deal done first.

The climate is not to dip your toe into the water in this free-agency period. You bring a player in and you try to sign him right then and there. If he leaves the building, it's going to be difficult to sign him. So the Eagles know they need to get a deal done today. Now. As soon as possible.

Back to my chat with Adam Caplan, from Sirius NFL Radio. He wants the Eagles to sign a cornerback and a defensive end. Adding a wide receiver will be tough. He says the Cardinals are closing in on a deal with Larry Fitzgerald, one of the names rumored to be a player in whom the Eagles are interested -- and the fan favorite -- and he thinks Bernard Berrian will go to Minnesota. A trade? It could be the only way for the Eagles to add some speed.

"They need a speed receiver," says Caplan.

9:33 am.

I just got off the phone with Caplan from and he is amazed at some of the deals around the league. "The Tommy Kelly deal (with Oakland) was one of the worst deals I have ever seen ..."

I have to stop typing. The official announcement is here: Cornerback Asante Samuel is visiting the Eagles today and will be made available at 4:30 p.m. at the NovaCare Complex. Yes!

[QB Eagles]

Sounds like Adam Caplan has a lot more interesting things to say than Dave Spadaro. I'll not be wasting my time with that blog today.

[pinoyboy2pt0]

WIP reporting we sign Chris Clemons.     OMGz!L#!

nm...in the other off-season thread.

[PoopyfaceMcGee]

WIP reporting we sign Chris Clemons.     OMGz!L#!

nm...in the other off-season thread.

In the other thread, it was reported the Eagles were interested, not that they signed him.

[methdeez]

WIP reporting we sign Chris Clemons.     OMGz!L#!

nm...in the other off-season thread.

Who the f is that?

[Father Demon]

It's all good.  He's black.

[reese125]

Per foxnews:

Eagles have interest in Maurice Hicks

[QB Eagles]

Per foxnews:

Eagles have interest in Maurice Hicks

He's visiting the Vikings too. Frankly the Eagles need his KR duties more than the Vikes do.

[PoopyfaceMcGee]

Spadaro!

I'm intrigued by the rumors out there -- are the Eagles really interested in running back Maurice Hicks? -- and I'm waiting for the next move

Refresh his blog at least once a minute!

[reese125]

Hicks was ranked 2nd in the league last year with 1502 yds on kickoffs

He avg's 23.8 yds

Joshua Cribbs ranked 1st with 1809 yds on kickoffs

He had a 30.7 avg

Do it up Birds

[reese125]

WIP reporting we sign Chris Clemons.     OMGz!L#!

nm...in the other off-season thread.

In the other thread, it was reported the Eagles were interested, not that they signed him.

He'll be here tomorrow

http://www.philly.com/dailynews/breaking/sports/20080229_Eagles_may_land_pass_rush_specialist.html

[mikey418]

So far...things looking up for the Birds.

With the signings of Samuel and Clemons, I wonder where they go in the draft.  I have a feeling it could be Jeff Otah...

[Butchers Bill]

I have no "inside" information but I have a feeling that Lito is going to the Lions and the Eagles are getting Roy Williams.  Fitz doesn't sound like he's going anywhere, but Williams only has one year left on his rookie deal, the Lions already have another stud WR in Calvin Johnson, and Williams had that monster game against the Birds (204 years earlier in the year so you know Reid took notice.

It just makes more sense than the Fitz rumor.

[reese125]

I like that he's young and that he can grow within JJ's system and with this line, but why I am seeing a serious regression here. I want to proved wrong of course

Notes on Chris Clemons:

Chris Clemons, a 26-year-old defensive end in his first year with the Raiders, racked up eight sacks with only two starts last season. Clemons' career-high total tied veteran Derrick Burgess for highest on the team.

Last year was the first in Clemons' four-year career where he suited up for all 16 games in a campaign. The former undrafted free agent from Georgia started his career in Washington, where he took part in 16 games from 2003-05. With the taterskins, the 6-foot-3 defender registered just 16 tackles, but he did manage five sacks and two batted down balls in very limited time.

In 2007, Clemons very quietly -- but hastily -- emerged as one of the team's best pass rushers. The 240-pounder recorded three tackles and a sack in an opening-day loss to the Detroit Lions, kicking off what would later become a career season. Clemons didn't take down another quarterback until Week 7, but he managed to do so six more times in the final 10 weeks of the season. In his lone two starts, he recorded three tackles, three sacks and one forced fumble.

"He's been great," nearly fired defensive coordinator Rob Ryan told the Oakland Tribune in late November. "That guy works his butt off. Nobody knew who he was when he (came) here. Now, he jumps out at you. He's a dominant, hard-working guy. Pound for pound, there are not many tougher than him."

[PoopyfaceMcGee]

Johnson said today that Stew Bradley has "a good chance" to win the starting job at MLB.