PI: A look at Birds' free agents

A look at Birds' free agents

Some are keepers, but others will find they're expendable.

By Bob Brookover

http://www.philly.com/mld/inquirer/sports/10943718.htm?1c

We'll have definitive answers about the Eagles' free-agent plans a month from now.

We'll know whether those reported recruiting attempts at the Pro Bowl by Donovan McNabb and Terrell Owens carried any weight with coach Andy Reid and team president Joe Banner.

In case you missed it, two separate reports said McNabb and Owens were trying to sell Seattle running back Shaun Alexander and Carolina receiver Muhsin Muhammad on the idea of joining them in Philadelphia.

Before the Eagles get to that point in free agency, however, they must decide how they are going to approach their own free agents - a list that includes 14 players.

Here's how management is probably looking at each of those players as well as two players who aren't free agents:

Derrick Burgess - The defensive end helped his free-agent cause immensely with a strong postseason, including two sacks in the NFC title game and one in the Super Bowl. If some team is willing to pay him as one of the elite at his position, he could be moving on.

The Eagles were thankful for Burgess' postseason contributions, but they know he has missed 39 of their 55 games over the last three years and posted only two sacks in 12 games before suffering a separated sternum that forced him to miss the final four regular-season games last season.

Jeremiah Trotter - The middle linebacker settled for the veteran's minimum of $535,000 to rejoin the Eagles last season and will get more than that next season. The Eagles are still apprehensive about his knees, both of which have been surgically repaired. He had to sign a health-related waiver to return to the team, and if some other team is willing to give him a deal like the one he signed with Washington three years ago, he could go elsewhere again. The most likely scenario is that he'll sign a two- or three-year deal to remain with the Eagles.

Brian Westbrook - Coming off an outstanding first season as the Eagles' top running back, Westbrook is a restricted free agent who would like a long-term deal. The Eagles have until March 1 to tender him a qualifying offer at one of three salaries and have the right to match any offer by another team. If they make him the lowest offer, they would get a third-round draft choice if Westbrook signed elsewhere. The middle tender would give them a first-round pick, and the highest tender would give them first- and third-round picks.

A year ago, the Eagles tendered the lowest offer to running back Correll Buckhalter, and he didn't receive any offers from other teams. Westbrook is better than Buckhalter, but it's a safe bet that he's not going anywhere. Only one restricted free agent changed teams a year ago, with defensive end Rodney Bailey going from Pittsburgh to New England. Whether Westbrook is in Philadelphia on a one-year deal or a long-term deal, he will be here.

Corey Simon - Though the Eagles placed the franchise tag on him, they will still try to negotiate a long-term deal with the defensive tackle. There's just no rush to do so.

Michael Lewis - The Eagles' Pro Bowl strong safety isn't a free agent, but getting him signed to a long-term deal, such as the ones signed by cornerbacks Sheldon Brown and Lito Sheppard during the season, is a priority. Look for him to get a similar deal this off-season.

Keith Adams - He was the Eagles' most improved player and probably will be back with a chance to win the job as the starting weakside linebacker.

Ike Reese - The special-teams ace and linebacker wants to remain with the Eagles. His return will probably hinge on what other teams think he's worth. If that amount goes too high, he is likely to sign elsewhere. At the right price, the Eagles definitely want him back.

Chad Lewis - The tight end will be coming off a severe foot injury he suffered on his second touchdown catch in the NFL title game, and rumors have swirled that he's going to retire. However, he was quoted in Pro Football Weekly as saying that he absolutely wants to return next season. An Eagles source said last week that the team does not know what Lewis' plans are.

In any event, the Eagles will probably have to draft or sign another tight end this off-season, especially because L.J. Smith, the projected starter for next season, will be coming off back surgery.

Correll Buckhalter - The Eagles' No. 2 running back has missed two of the last three seasons with injuries and has no bargaining power. It's all a matter of whether the Eagles think they can do better by looking elsewhere.

Hugh Douglas - If the defensive end is willing to sign for the veteran's minimum and remain a role player, he has a chance to return. Otherwise, he's gone.

Jermane Mayberry - Artis Hicks and Shawn Andrews will be the Eagles' starting guards next season. Mayberry will finish his career somewhere else.

Jon Ritchie - He's still not fully recovered from the torn knee ligament he suffered in Week 3 against Detroit. He will probably return and compete with good friend Josh Parry for the fullback job.

Freddie Mitchell - He's not a free agent, but he is a free spirit. A league source said last week that the wide receiver told several teammates he wants to become this year's John Welbourn - a reference to the guard who complained his way out of town last off-season. He has already succeeded.

Ian Allen - No, he's not the flute-playing lead vocalist from Jethro Tull. He's a backup offensive lineman who won't be back.

Jeff Blake - The Eagles need to start grooming a younger backup quarterback, which means that Blake is gone.

Dorsey Levens - The running back is expected to retire.

there is no treasure here for us.

not many of these players are attractive to the Redskins.

as noted Westbrook, Simon and Lewis will be back.

the rest are either over the hill, injury prone or role players that were successful in THEIR system.

I think Derrick Burgess can be a productive defensive end

I think though Derrick Burgess could safely be put into the category of injury prone. Missed two full season, and injured for parts in the other two. Hopefully he comes back cheaper becuase of it.

Originally posted by TenaciousB15

I think though Derrick Burgess could safely be put into the category of injury prone. Missed two full season, and injured for parts in the other two. Hopefully he comes back cheaper becuase of it.

Yea I agree, he is definitely injury prone, he needs to have a season without an injury before I'd want us to even consider looking at him.

im not sure what the eagles will do with their FA's, but im not really worried about it. ill laugh tho if they do manage to sign shaun alexander, because that'll be wasting brian westbrook's talent even more so than they did last year, they played him as an wideout more than a RB...

Maybe we can get Trotter :dunce:

Fred-ex as a #3 possession wr

None of their players interest me this year!

Originally posted by bubba9497

Ian Allen - No, he's not the flute-playing lead vocalist from Jethro Tull.

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He's not the flute-playing lead vocalist from Jethro Tull for one because he's not named Ian Anderson.

He's also not the James Bond author Ian Fleming.

Nor Ian McKellan, actor known for his role in Lord of the Rings Trilogy.

Nor Ian Ziering, Steve Sanders from Beverly Hills 90210

Nor Ian McEwan, British author

Nor Ian Hunter, Mott the Hoople star.

He's just Ian Allen. A bottom-feeding no-talent waste of space.

Correll Buckhalter might be interesting as a backup if he's healthy. He looked like a good all around back when he's played, he's only 27, and he was good around the goal line. If he's available cheap, he might be worth taking a chance on.