Eagles may regret trade with Cowboys

[tr1]

Ken Thompson
http://www.jconline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070507/COLUMNISTS10/705070307


Things that make you go, hmmm.

Both Dr. Z, a.k.a. Paul Zimmerman of SI.com, and this reporter were suprised that the Philadelphia Eagles would be a willing trade partner with bitter rival Dallas on draft day.

Philadelphia fans, who are notoriously difficult to please, will remember if Anthony Spencer comes back to haunt the Eagles in the next several years.

"Now you tell me what kind of sense it made for Philly to trade with the Cowboys, so they could move up and take a wicked pass-rushing wingman named Anthony Spencer who already has Donovan McNabb's picture posted with a bullseye on it?" Zimmerman wrote.

More draft thoughts:

Mel Kiper Jr. reaffirmed for ESPN.com what he said several times on draft day -- that Spencer has a chance to be NFL rookie of the year -- in his draft grades column. ...

If someone had offered to bet that Purdue guard Uche Nwaneri would be drafted before Heisman Trophy winner Troy Smith, how many of you would have jumped at that wager? Nwaneri, taken 25 spots before Smith in the fifth round by the Jacksonville Jaguars, was a good pick in Kiper's opinion.

"Uche Nwaneri as a guard or center made sense in the fifth round," Kiper said. ...

Considering that he will go down in history as the man who chose Mario Williams ahead of Reggie Bush and Vince Young in 2006, it might be easy to dispute Charley Casserly's view that Spencer's selection at No. 26 "might have been a reach value-wise."

Writing for sportsline.com, Casserly believes Spencer is an insurance policy for struggling Bobby Carpenter and the injured Greg Ellis.

"Spencer gives them an alternate if Ellis is not ready," Casserly wrote. "Spencer reminds me of Shaun Phillips of the Chargers who has played very well for them." ...

Also using the Phillips comparison is fellow sportsline.com writer Pete Prisco, whose B grade of the Dallas draft included praise of Spencer.

"I love Anthony Spencer. Wade Phillips will turn him into another Shawne Merriman, especially teaming with DeMarcus Ware." ...

Give credit to Pete Fiutak of collegefootballnews.com for writing a draft analysis of all 255 NFL draft picks. Here's what he had to say about Spencer, Nwaneri and Mike Otto, drafted by Tennessee in the seventh round:

Spencer: "... went from a good prospect to a must-have defender after doing a little of everything well last year."

Nwaneri: "A big body who was good in pass protection and has the strength to be a starter. He's not the best athlete, having a lousy Combine. While he might be limited, he might surprise early on and make the roster and be a regular on the line."

Otto: "With great quickness and good toughness, he has the size and raw skills to make a roster. What he doesn't have is big-time strength or the ability as a run blocker to make big things happen. If he hits the weight room, he could be a steal because of his ability in pass protection."

[OWUeagleMD]

Like all draft picks, we'll see how it plays out. If Spencer's great, the Eagles will probably regret the deal. Just like I'm sure the Redskins wish they ahd held onto a 5th round pick back in 2005, when they sent it to Philly to draft Trent Cole.

It's too early for me to be pissed at the Eagles over Anthony Spencer. As with all trades, The Eagles made the move under the belief that they were pulling one over on their partner. The last time the Eagles traded with the Cowboys they drafted David Lefleur and the Eagles drafted Jon Harris. It would be interesting to see how everyone reacted in the month following that decision.

[Westbrook36]

tr1 is in a tough spot on this one. If Spencer is great, then the Eagles made a huge mistake.....BUT in order for tr1 to criticize the Eagles, he will have to admit Spencer is great.

If Spencer sucks, he can lambaste the Cowboys for taking him...but where does it leave this angle that the Eagles made a huge mistake!?!?!!?

I wonder....OH YES, I WONDER if there is a way that tr1 will attempt to have it both ways? Yes, that Spencer sucks yet the Eagles made a huge mistake in trading with the Cowboys?!!? I can't wait to see this one play out.

:laugh: :laugh:

[tr1]

tr1 is in a tough spot on this one. If Spencer is great, then the Eagles made a huge mistake.....BUT in order for tr1 to criticize the Eagles, he will have to admit Spencer is great.

If Spencer sucks, he can lambaste the Cowboys for taking him...but where does it leave this angle that the Eagles made a huge mistake!?!?!!?

I wonder....OH YES, I WONDER if there is a way that tr1 will attempt to have it both ways? Yes, that Spencer sucks yet the Eagles made a huge mistake in trading with the Cowboys?!!? I can't wait to see this one play out.

:laugh: :laugh:

Tough spot? If Kolb sucks and Spencer sucks (as I imagine they will), there will be no 'tough spot.'

Besides, WB, I didn't write this article. I only posted it for my fellow Skins fans to ponder it.

[tr1]

BUT, let me say this: If Spencer does work out, the Eagles will really have blown it...and I already think they have. The LET the pukes back into the first round for a guy they could have had much, much later.

I believe the reason trading inside your division became taboo was because owners had a real difficult time watching a rival pick, courtesy of his GM, chew up his team.

I'm sure Donovan is looking forward to seeing Spencer play, courtesy of Andy. You better hope that I'm right when I say Spencer won't be a star.

[OWUeagleMD]

(as I imagine they will)



I am shocked.

[ArmchairRedskin]

Any way you slice it, the Iggs made a terrible move in trading within the division. How you gonna let a division rival back into the first round after they traded out of it? That's just dumb.


Add that to the huge reach on Kolb and you might have reason to believe that Andy had eaten a whole turkey before the trade and was drowsy off of tryptophan.

[909997]

spencer might come hant us too

be cause eagles have better o line then us

[bschurm]

OK, I might be considered a homer by saying this, but I don't think Spencer is all that. I was at the Bowl game when Maryland played Purdue and he didn't do much against the Terps.

I just checked the box scores to check if I was just remembering wrong and his name was not mentioned once, not even one tackle.


Now I know it was only one game, but that is a marquis stage to make a name for yourself and he wasn't noticeable on the field that day.

[Gilgamesh]

Just like I'm sure the Redskins wish they ahd held onto a 5th round pick back in 2005, when they sent it to Philly to draft Trent Cole.


1 Sack in 4 games against Washington is hardly enough to make anyone regret anything, though I'm not in favor of trading away picks to division rivals. Actually he averages a sack per game against the Giants, so if anyone would have some remorse about Trent Cole pick it wold be the G-Men...

[OWUeagleMD]

1 Sack in 4 games against Washington is hardly enough to make anyone regret anything, though I'm not in favor of trading away picks to division rivals. Actually he averages a sack per game against the Giants, so if anyone would have some remorse about Trent Cole pick it wold be the G-Men...

But the Giants didn't trade the pick to Philly. Washington did. For James Thrash.

To say that you should never trade in division is silly. When you make a trade you do so under the assumption that you are becoming a better team. If you can do that at the expense of a division rival, that just makes things better.

We also drafted Tony Hunt and Stewart Bradley with picks from that trade as well.

We may end up regretting this trade. The Cowboys may end up regretting this trade. It's no different than any trade made in the history of football. Or any draft pick made in the history of football. Everyone casting judgment right now is setting themselves up to look foolish.

[ArmchairRedskin]

But the Giants didn't trade the pick to Philly. Washington did. For James Thrash.

To say that you should never trade in division is silly. When you make a trade you do so under the assumption that you are becoming a better team. If you can do that at the expense of a division rival, that just makes things better.

We also drafted Tony Hunt and Stewart Bradley with picks from that trade as well.

We may end up regretting this trade. The Cowboys may end up regretting this trade. It's no different than any trade made in the history of football. Or any draft pick made in the history of football. Everyone casting judgment right now is setting themselves up to look foolish.



No it's not silly. The difference in trading for a day two pick and trading for a 1st round pick is huge. You just don't let a division rival back in the first round. Hell, you shouldn't really give them a second rounder.

You play these teams twice a year. You directly compete with them to win the division and make the playoffs. Why would you want them to have another shot at a first round talent?

[OWUeagleMD]

No it's not silly. The difference in trading for a day two pick and trading for a 1st round pick is huge. You just don't let a division rival back in the first round. Hell, you shouldn't really give them a second rounder.

You play these teams twice a year. You directly compete with them to win the division and make the playoffs. Why would you want them to have another shot at a first round talent?

Why would they want to give us a shot at three different first-day talents?

According to the chart, we came out ahead.

You are acting as though we simply handed them a ticket to take Anthony Spencer. They gave up valuable picks as well, and in the opinion of Andy Reid, the value they provided was more than the 26th pick in the draft. We'll see how it plays out.

[bubba9497]

a wicked pass-rushing wingman named Anthony Spencer


:rotflmao:

Spencer = this years Bunky

[ArmchairRedskin]

Why would they want to give us a shot at three different first-day talents?

According to the chart, we came out ahead.

You are acting as though we simply handed them a ticket to take Anthony Spencer. They gave up valuable picks as well, and in the opinion of Andy Reid, the value they provided was more than the 26th pick in the draft. We'll see how it plays out.



Funny how people spin stuff just because their team is the one under the gun. Wonder how mang people in the warrooms would agree with you outside of Philly.


I bet the tune on ES would be different from Eagles fans had we let the Cowboys back in the first round.

The chance you hit on an impact player in round 1 are a lot better than in later rounds. That's just the nature of the draft. You can't dispute that. I can pull up stats if you want.

[OWUeagleMD]

Funny how people spin stuff just because their team is the one under the gun. Wonder how mang people in the warrooms would agree with you outside of Philly.


I bet the tune on ES would be different from Eagles fans had we let the Cowboys back in the first round.

The chance you hit on an impact player in round 1 are a lot better than in later rounds. That's just the nature of the draft. You can't dispute that. I can pull up stats if you want.

When you pull up those stats, you should make it a fair comparison. As in, what are the chances you hit on one 25-30 first round pick compared to three selections in the first three rounds.

The logic behind the draft value chart comes from somewhere. According to that logic, which is supposedly objective and used as at least a guideline by most NFL teams, the Eagles got the better end of the deal.

I hate the Kolb pick. Hate. That doesn't change the fact that we didn't "give" the Cowboys anything, nor did we "let them back in the first round." We conducted a trade under the auspicious belief that-- gasp-- we were getting something of value in return.

I'm willing to wait and judge. If you aren't, go ahead and call it stupid. We'll know who is silly in two years, maybe less.

[Gilgamesh]

But the Giants didn't trade the pick to Philly. Washington did. For James Thrash.

To say that you should never trade in division is silly. When you make a trade you do so under the assumption that you are becoming a better team. If you can do that at the expense of a division rival, that just makes things better.

I understand that we traded the pick to Philly, I'm just saying that Trent Cole has done less against us than any other team in the division, he's done almost nothing against us in fact, so although we may have wished we had that pick back at some point, Trent Cole would not be the reason why.

I never said that you should never trade within the division, I just said I'm not in favor of it in general. There may be certain circumstances, such as the trade being incredibly balanced in your team's favor, in which you would certainly make a intra-divisional trade. However, when a divisional foe is getting something that they desperately want, especially a potential impact player in the 1st round, it's probably a bad idea to help them out. The only reason I can see that the Eagles pulled the trigger on this was because all of the players they had hoped would fall to them had been taken, so they saw not point in staying in round one. I do applaud the Eagles for getting the extra picks, but if Spencer becomes a very good player for the Boys, it will be very hard for the Eagles to justify the trade.

[OWUeagleMD]

, but if Spencer becomes a very good player for the Boys, it will be very hard for the Eagles to justify the trade.

Just as if the players the Eagles drafted with the picks they received turn into all-pros, it will be very hard for the Boys to justify the trade.

[Gilgamesh]

Just as if the players the Eagles drafted with the picks they received turn into all-pros, it will be very hard for the Boys to justify the trade.

No argument at all with that. Who did the Eagles draft with those picks, btw? Kolb was taken with the Browns second round pick with came as part of the trade with Dallas, is that right? Who else did they get?

[OWUeagleMD]

QB- Kevin Kolb
LB- Stewart Bradley
FS- C.J. Gaddis

[ArmchairRedskin]

The trade value chart is nice and all, but it doesn't account for the difference in talent level. If you get three mediocre players and the other team gets one great one then it's really wasn't equal value, was it? That's especially true in the division.

If this trade was made with any team outside of the NFCE, it would be fine. But since it directly affects your team whether or not the other guy picked up an impact player, it was a bad move.

Why do you think people around the league question the trade? I mean if it's all fine and dandy according to the trade chart, why is it even an issue?

You gotta put the trade chart in context.

[bubba9497]

Why do you think people around the league question the trade? I mean if it's all fine and dandy according to the trade chart, why is it even an issue?


Everyone on ESPN and NFL Network did a spit take, double take when the trade was announced

even eagle fans were shocked, though you will never get them to admit it :laugh:

[OWUeagleMD]

The trade value chart is nice and all, but it doesn't account for the difference in talent level. If you get three mediocre players and the other team gets one great one then it's really wasn't equal value, was it? That's especially true in the division.

If this trade was made with any team outside of the NFCE, it would be fine. But since it directly affects your team whether or not the other guy picked up an impact player, it was a bad move.

Why do you think people around the league question the trade? I mean if it's all fine and dandy according to the trade chart, why is it even an issue?

You gotta put the trade chart in context.

I did put the trade chart in context.


The logic behind the draft value chart comes from somewhere. According to that logic, which is supposedly objective and used as at least a guideline by most NFL teams, the Eagles got the better end of the deal.

It isn't a holy grail and there are plenty of occasions when a team is wise to ignore what the chart tells them. My point, simply, is that there is at least one commonly held objective measure which would say the Eagles got the better end of this deal. I'm not saying that's what I believe even, simply that there is at least one reasonable tool that an unaffiliated NFL fan may look at as proof that the Eagles came out over the Cowboys.

Basically, I disagree with the though that the Eagles should not have done this trade because it let Dallas back in the first round. The Eagles made this trade because, to them, a 2nd, 3rd and 5th were more valuable than #26. If they feel that way, I'm glad they made the deal.

Last time the Eagles and Cowboys traded in the first round the Boys walked away with Aikman's hand-picked bust David Lafleurr and the Eagles made the msot embarrasing selection of my life, Jon Harris. To say ANYTHING definitive right now is BEYOND DUMB. If Spencer wins DOY and Kolb never plays a down in Philly, it will go without saying that it was a bad trade, regardless of who was on the other end.

[OWUeagleMD]

Everyone on ESPN and NFL Network did a spit take, double take when the trade was announced

even eagle fans were shocked, though you will never get them to admit it :laugh:

I was and still am shocked. :laugh:

[Westbrook36]

I understand that we traded the pick to Philly, I'm just saying that Trent Cole has done less against us than any other team in the division, he's done almost nothing against us in fact, so although we may have wished we had that pick back at some point, Trent Cole would not be the reason why.


I think the overriding point is that Trent Cole is better than any DL on your team and you desperately need quality DL.

It wasn't the fact of what he has specifically done against your team; that is just silly. You play less than 15 percent of your games against any single team in your division.

[Boozie3000]

Tough spot? If Kolb sucks and Spencer sucks (as I imagine they will), there will be no 'tough spot.'

:laugh:

[dockeryfan]

OWU, the trade chart is about even. The Eagles didn't make out on this one, they got fair value, that's all.

#26=700

#36+#87+#158=723.2

23.2 gives you basically a wash. It's a mid 6th rounder. I actually thought the Cowboys got back into the 1st round rather cheaply. It gives more credence to the notion that once Merriweather was gone, and people like Jarvis Moss were already gone (maybe Beason as well) that the Eagles were sitting on their thumbs.

[Westbrook36]

It gives credence to the notion that the Eagles felt the players 25-40 were very equal and seen an opportunity to get more picks for a player of similar value.

[dockeryfan]

Well, that's their party line anyway. Reid also said they were in a position to take the best available, with no specific needs.
I think that's a load as well

[BigDFan5]

OK, I might be considered a homer by saying this, but I don't think Spencer is all that. I was at the Bowl game when Maryland played Purdue and he didn't do much against the Terps.

I just checked the box scores to check if I was just remembering wrong and his name was not mentioned once, not even one tackle.


Now I know it was only one game, but that is a marquis stage to make a name for yourself and he wasn't noticeable on the field that day.


At the Champs Sports bowl Spencer had 7 tackles (5 solo 2 assists)

[dockeryfan]

My gut feeling tells me that if they had gone with Branch or Grubbs, that there would have been an uprising for taking yet another DT, or another o-lineman.

The QB pick is more palatable to people.Maybe even to themselves, lol.

[dockeryfan]

They could have taken Olsen, maybe. I guess they plan on paying LJ.

[OWUeagleMD]

I would have loved them to take Olsen.

Mostly though, I simply dislike the Kolb pick. I was stoked when they moved back, assumed they'd get a good player in the second and bring in a few more picks. I didn't see any need for QB. That isn't damning to the trade in general, just to the pick that followed it.

[Gilgamesh]

I think the overriding point is that Trent Cole is better than any DL on your team and you desperately need quality DL.

It wasn't the fact of what he has specifically done against your team; that is just silly. You play less than 15 percent of your games against any single team in your division.

"Philadelphia fans, who are notoriously difficult to please, will remember if Anthony Spencer comes back to haunt the Eagles in the next several years."

Yes, in this case is really was what specifically a player that was drafted with a pick that was sent to a divisional foe has done against that opposing team, since the initial question had to do with Spencer's play against the Eagles and if it would make the birds regret the trade if he played well. Cole was cited as by OWUEagleMD as another example of this. It may be silly, but that was sparked this discussion.

[Who Del]

I didn't like the Eagles moving back. I felt like they needed to draft an immediate impact player (something they didnt get in Kolb). It doesn't make sense to me at all. Are we rebuilding or trying to win now?

[OWUeagleMD]

I didn't like the Eagles moving back. I felt like they needed to draft an immediate impact player (something they didnt get in Kolb). It doesn't make sense to me at all. Are we rebuilding or trying to win now?

That seems to me a dangerous mentality to approach a draft with. If Mayweather was there, I'd be right with you. But if the guys you've decided could provide an immediate impact are gone, and you stay because you're dead set on immediate improvement you aren't drafting responsibly. It's a moot point since we drafted a project QB, but they very easily could have brought in someone to make a difference this year with that first 2nd round pick.

I'd say, as always, the Eagles are trying to simultaneously win now and rebuild. That's just what they do.

[ArmchairRedskin]

I did put the trade chart in context.


It isn't a holy grail and there are plenty of occasions when a team is wise to ignore what the chart tells them. My point, simply, is that there is at least one commonly held objective measure which would say the Eagles got the better end of this deal. I'm not saying that's what I believe even, simply that there is at least one reasonable tool that an unaffiliated NFL fan may look at as proof that the Eagles came out over the Cowboys.

Basically, I disagree with the though that the Eagles should not have done this trade because it let Dallas back in the first round. The Eagles made this trade because, to them, a 2nd, 3rd and 5th were more valuable than #26. If they feel that way, I'm glad they made the deal.

Last time the Eagles and Cowboys traded in the first round the Boys walked away with Aikman's hand-picked bust David Lafleurr and the Eagles made the msot embarrasing selection of my life, Jon Harris. To say ANYTHING definitive right now is BEYOND DUMB. If Spencer wins DOY and Kolb never plays a down in Philly, it will go without saying that it was a bad trade, regardless of who was on the other end.




But if the Boys do hit on Spencer it affects your team more than it would every other team outside of the NFCE. Most playoff implications are a direct result of performance within the division. Not only that but you let them pick up a pass rusher. That aint no good no matter how you spin it. If the dude blows up your QB a couple of times you'll be calling for Andy's head. I mean, at least you should.

[Who Del]

That seems to me a dangerous mentality to approach a draft with. If Mayweather was there, I'd be right with you. But if the guys you've decided could provide an immediate impact are gone, and you stay because you're dead set on immediate improvement you aren't drafting responsibly. It's a moot point since we drafted a project QB, but they very easily could have brought in someone to make a difference this year with that first 2nd round pick.

I'd say, as always, the Eagles are trying to simultaneously win now and rebuild. That's just what they do.

McNabb isn't getting any younger. Surround this guy with the talent to win now. He's had near nothing since he's been in Philly. In some ways I can understand if he's upset. How would you feel if you spent half your career throwing to Thrash and Pinkston? ****.

[tr1]

At the Champs Sports bowl Spencer had 7 tackles (5 solo 2 assists)

Wow! The Champs Sports bowl. Imagine that! :doh:

[tr1]

McNabb isn't getting any younger. Surround this guy with the talent to win now. He's had near nothing since he's been in Philly. In some ways I can understand if he's upset. How would you feel if you spent half your career throwing to Thrash and Pinkston? ****.

WD, now you're sounding like me... :laugh:

[bedlamVR]

Bad Bad form letting a divisional rival back into the first round especially considering that there was no significant benifit in doing so. This is not the same as trading late round picks.

Cole is a pass rusher on a pass rusher line. The Eagles have a tendancy to pick up small fast DE and DT to get preasure on the QB it fits thier system but is not without problems. The Redskins tend to go for bigger clogging DL players and rely on the back 7 for preasure with the DL making the holes. I think Cole is a good player but is not stout against the run and thends to wear down late in the season ...we already have a version of Trent Cole on the line in Andre Carter ... If we need help and youth anywhere it is on the RDE behind Daniels and Wynn.

Just as a thought who is on the bubble in Philly at DE/DT with the use of another high round draft pick and the signings of Scott and Reagor who gets the boot . I meen you have been so accomodating to the Cowboys....

[BigDFan5]

Wow! The Champs Sports bowl. Imagine that! :doh:
what does your post have to do with the conversation? Do you ever make posts with football conversation or is it trolling 24/7 for you?

[Ken]

This trade shocked me as well.

As a Cowboys fan, I would do it again in a heartbeat. Sure, we gave up more "value" as far as the chart goes, but we still got the guy that we wanted after getting Cleveland's #1 next year.

If we stay at 36 and miss the guy we wanted, it takes a lot of the good out of getting the 1 next year. By giving up, from a Cowboys perspective, a 3 and 5 to move down 4 spots and pick up a potential top 10 pick, it is brilliant.

I have a good feeling on Spencer. Phillips took a similar player in Phillips, also from PUrdue, and turned him into a Pass rushing demon. All accounts indicate Spencer is a better prospect.

For Eagles fans, I was extremely surprised with the selection. Not so much the positioin, but the actual player. A run and shoot qb from Houston? Didn't they ever see Andre Ware and David Klingler play?

I just don't see it working.

[pjfootballer]

The one thing I hope for is Spencer gets only 6 sacks on the season. 3 in Philly and 3 in Dallass when the Iggles play the Cowpukes. That's the curse I put on the Iggles and Dallass. That will teach them NEVER to trade within the division.

[pointyfootball]

McNabb isn't getting any younger. Surround this guy with the talent to win now. He's had near nothing since he's been in Philly. In some ways I can understand if he's upset. How would you feel if you spent half your career throwing to Thrash and Pinkston? ****.

There was no one at that spot who was going to come in and start. No one. If Meriweather had of been available, I think the Eagles pick him and then possibly trade up in the 2nd to get Kolb. Obviously Andy loved him and was willing to overpay (per Kiper's value) for him.

[OWUeagleMD]

McNabb isn't getting any younger. Surround this guy with the talent to win now. He's had near nothing since he's been in Philly. In some ways I can understand if he's upset. How would you feel if you spent half your career throwing to Thrash and Pinkston? ****.

Well, I don't think there is a need for a receiver, so I guess we differ there. Otherwise, I think it's important to mention that there are plenty of ways to provide a QB a better chance to win. McNabb hasn't had the world's greatest receivers, but he's had a consistently good-->great offensive line and one of the league's best defenses. If McNabb is upset about what he hasn't had, he better be thankful of the things he has had, because they are ample.

We had one need on offense. We drafted Tony Hunt. As far as I can tell, McNabb has no gripe about this draft, outside of Kevin Kolb, of course.

As pointy said, there wasn't anyone available who was clearly an upgrade over any of our starters. I say clearly because, as we see each season, great players emerge after being slighted by the draft niks all the time.

[dogunwo]

Like all draft picks, we'll see how it plays out. If Spencer's great, the Eagles will probably regret the deal. Just like I'm sure the Redskins wish they ahd held onto a 5th round pick back in 2005, when they sent it to Philly to draft Trent Cole.

It's too early for me to be pissed at the Eagles over Anthony Spencer. As with all trades, The Eagles made the move under the belief that they were pulling one over on their partner. The last time the Eagles traded with the Cowboys they drafted David Lefleur and the Eagles drafted Jon Harris. It would be interesting to see how everyone reacted in the month following that decision.
Thats actually wrong, the last time Dallas and Philly traded, Dallas traded up to select DE Chris Canty.

[pointyfootball]

Thats actually wrong, the last time Dallas and Philly traded, Dallas traded up to select DE Chris Canty.

I believe OWU was referring to the last time the Eagles swapped 1st round picks in a trade. I think all would agree trades after the 1st round are fairly inconsequential unless you give up the farm to move 4 spots in the second round.


http://www.philadelphiaeagles.com/includes/display/printArticle.jsp?id=68376

From the article:

"
Saturday's trade with Dallas was, in fact the third time the teams have done deals. The 1997 trade was the first one -- oh, and the Eagles also selected tight end Luther Broughton, who caught 44 passes in 39 games with the Eagles -- and then in 2005 the teams swapped some picks, moved around in the middle of the draft and the net result was this: Dallas drafted defensive end Chris Canty and, later, defensive tackle Montavious Stanley and the Eagles used the draft picks Dallas sent them to eventually draft offensive tackle Winston Justice and wide receiver Jason Avant. "

PF