Darren Howard visits today.

[Mad-Lad]

I like the Howard signing.  Defense is key this offseason.

[The BIGSTUD]

I'm not saying I would because I wouldn't, but I'm curious as if anyone here would've rather have had Andre Carter than Howard.

[SD_Eagle5]

I'm not saying I would because I wouldn't, but I'm curious as if anyone here would've rather have had Andre Carter than Howard.

Howard was the best available free agent DE, he's a better pass rusher and much better vs. the run than Carter. Only thing Carter has on him is a little bit of youth.

[Feva]

Only other DE out there that I would have taken over Howard is Abraham... and we all knew that wasn't happening so realistically speaking, Howard is who I wanted.

[PhillyPhreak54]

No, but Carter was on my list as a guy I would've liked. But he was 2nd or 3rd behind Howard.

[PoopyfaceMcGee]

FYI and FWIW... Apparently, Darren Howard's deal includes $10.5 million in total "guarantees", and he didn't get it all up-front.  In fact, it could easily be a 3-year deal for $15 million with only $6 mill guaranteed in the first 3 years.

No link, and I can't tell you where I heard it, because then I'd have to kill you.

[The BIGSTUD]

I'm curious. What makes it beneficial to use Darren Howard as a DT in nickel situations as opposed to using him as a DE?

[Tomahawk]

I'm curious. What makes it beneficial to use Darren Howard as a DT in nickel situations as opposed to using him as a DE?

Because Trent Cole can't play DT.

[bobbyinlondon]

FYI and FWIW... Apparently, Darren Howard's deal includes $10.5 million in total "guarantees", and he didn't get it all up-front.  In fact, it could easily be a 3-year deal for $15 million with only $6 mill guaranteed in the first 3 years.

No link, and I can't tell you where I heard it, because then I'd have to kill you.

Here is Rueben Frank's article in http://www.phillyburbs.com/sports


The contract includes a $3.5 million signing bonus, roster bonuses of $600,000 this year, $1 million each in 2009 and 2010 and $4 million in 2011 and base salaries of $1 million this year, $2 million in 2007 and 2009, $2.5 million in 2008, $3.5 million in 2010 and $4 million in 2011.

Howard will have cap figures of $2.183 million this year, $2.583 million next year, and then $3.083 million in 2008, $3.583 million in 2009, $5.083 million in 2010 and $8.583 million in 2011.

In reality, this is either a four-year deal worth $12.6 million or a five-year deal worth $17.1 million. Either way, it averages out to less than $3.5 million per year.

[The BIGSTUD]

I'm curious. What makes it beneficial to use Darren Howard as a DT in nickel situations as opposed to using him as a DE?

Because Trent Cole can't play DT.

Why not just use our DTs at DT? I'm not criticizing, I'm just curious as to why they want to use him at DT in nickel packages instead of him at DE and our starting DTs.

[Geowhizzer]

I'm curious. What makes it beneficial to use Darren Howard as a DT in nickel situations as opposed to using him as a DE?

Because Trent Cole can't play DT.

Why not just use our DTs at DT? I'm not criticizing, I'm just curious as to why they want to use him at DT in nickel packages instead of him at DE and our starting DTs.

Mainly because our DTs suck.

[Feva]

I'm curious. What makes it beneficial to use Darren Howard as a DT in nickel situations as opposed to using him as a DE?

Because Trent Cole can't play DT.

Why not just use our DTs at DT? I'm not criticizing, I'm just curious as to why they want to use him at DT in nickel packages instead of him at DE and our starting DTs.

A Nickel situation is usually considered for passing downs.  Since that's the case, you want your best pass rushers on the field, which would be Kearse, Cole and Howard.   By sliding Howard inside (and because he has the ability to do so), you can get another DE on the field without sacrificing pass rush.  Your d-line is built more for speed in that sitaution than power.

[PoopyfaceMcGee]

Why not just use our DTs at DT? I'm not criticizing, I'm just curious as to why they want to use him at DT in nickel packages instead of him at DE and our starting DTs.

Here's why:

Howard is excellent at pass rushing from the DT position.  His size allows him to use a combination of speed and quickness to maneuver around interior lineman.  However, he is not big enough to stand up against the run at DT.

So, if the Eagles consider him, Kearse, Cole, and Patterson to be their 4 best pass rushing linemen, isn't it nice that they can all be on the same field during key passing downs?