Stallworth, agent already playing free-agency games

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By BOB GROTZ

http://www.trentonian.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=17858779&BRD=1697&PAG=461&dept_id=178120&rfi=6

Journal Register News Service

Don’t read too much into Donte’ Stallworth’s burgeoning "I love Philadelphia" campaign or his most recent assertion that there’s a 75 percent chance he re-signs with the Eagles.

Privately, the optimism is part of a public relations campaign orchestrated by agent Drew Rosenhaus, who still hasn’t had substantive talks with the Eagles.

With free agency beginning midnight on March 1, give Stallworth credit for stoking interest. While he averaged a staggering 19.1 yards on 38 receptions and scored five touchdowns last season, hamstring issues sidelined him four games. In five seasons, he’s missed a dozen games with similar injuries. Being out and healthily about can’t hurt his chances to land a five or six year contract worth about $40 million, including $12 million-plus guaranteed.

Acquired in September from the New Orleans Saints for linebacker Mark Simoneau and a conditional fourth-round draft pick, Stallworth has maintained the Eagles helped resurrect his career and are No. 1 on his list in free agency at every opportunity since the season ended with the loss to the Saints.

Less than 24 hours after Stallworth told Comcast SportsNet he would be "cheating himself and his family" if he didn’t test free agency, he told WIP Radio there was a 75 percent chance -- "at least" -- he would be back with the Eagles.

Technically, Stallworth isn’t eligible to seek offers until free agency begins. Nonetheless, in various media interviews he indicated there was interest from the San Francisco 49ers, Miami Dolphins, New England Patriots and Tampa Bay Buccaneers in addition to the Eagles.

The Niners have about $37.5 million in cap room -- the most in the league as of Feb. 12 according to reports, compared to just $3.6 million for the Eagles.

The Patriots are $27 million under the cap, the Buccaneers and the Dolphins $15 and $13 million under, respectively. Dolphins general manager Randy Mueller drafted Stallworth for the Saints.

The Niners are said to have the most interest in Stallworth, with the Minnesota Vikings and the Green Bay Packers lesser suitors.

Though Stallworth was the Eagles’ obvious No. 1 receiver, and with 4.2 speed in the 40-yard dash easily their fastest pass catcher, he missed enough time to enable Reggie Brown to make huge strides in his second season.

The Eagles signed the improving Brown to a contract extension in the midst of a season in which he caught 46 passes for 816 yards (17.7 average) and eight touchdowns.

The Eagles also are big on burly, physical rookie receivers Hank Baskett (22-464, 21.1 average, two TDs) and Jason Avant (7-68, TD).

Including quarterback Jeff Garcia, who guided the Birds to a 6-2 record in place of the injured Donovan McNabb, the Eagles have 11 unrestricted free agents.

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McNabb greeting fans, media

Eagles quarterback Donovan McNabb is scheduled to reach out to fans, contest winners and the media this Saturday at the second Sunoco ‘5’ Ways to Celebrate with Donovan McNabb Sweepstakes.

McNabb will be joined at the Nova Care Complex by 50 winners throughout the five-county Philadelphia area selected at random largely by Sunoco, and to a lesser extent WYSP Radio.

Sunoco has donated $10,000 worth of toys through the Donovan McNabb Foundation to be wrapped during the party and later transported to the Mt. Zion Community Development Corporation at 50th and Woodland in Philadelphia.

McNabb will present some of the gifts to deserving youths after his efforts at One Nova Care Way.

McNabb also intends to get together with much of the media he initially was scheduled to get together with before the Super Bowl.

That news conference was cancelled by Andy Reid, with McNabb’s blessing according to the duo.