Adam Schefter: Eagles sign Saints RB Mike Bell to offer(plus other moves)

[DWinzit]

Eagles signed restricted free agent RB Mike Bell to a one-year, $1.7 million offer sheet.
The Saints will have seven days to match the offer. Based on the low tender and Bell's disappointing finish down the stretch last year, they may opt to pass. Bell would provide a physical, inside complement to LeSean McCoy in Philly. Though Bell would take over goal-line duties, McCoy owners should be content that the Eagles didn't aim any higher for a veteran complement.
Source: Adam Schefter on Twitter (http://twitter.com/Adam_Schefter/status/10587935185)

[DWinzit]

Guess he'd be a decent backup. Not sure if there is a draft pick involved?

[Rufus T Firefly]

No, no draft pick would be involved. I'm a little surprised he didn't merit a higher offer or tender.

[DWinzit]

Eagles ink Bell to offer sheet

Posted by Mike Florio on March 16, 2010 5:49 PM ET
Well, it's finally happened.

More than 10 days into the free agency period, one of the 200-plus players who would have been unrestricted free agents in a capped year has signed an offer sheet as a restricted free agent.

Adam Schefter of ESPN reports that the Eagles have agreed to terms with running back Mike Bell (http://www.rotoworld.com/content/playerpages/player_main.aspx?sport=NFL&id=3770) on a one-year deal worth $1.7 million. The offer includes $500,000 in guaranteed money.

The deal also includes incentives that could push the total value to over $2 million.

Because the Saints tendered Bell at the lowest level, they have only a right to match the offer -- and they'll get no compensation if they don't.

Either way, Bell will be under contract for one year. The question is whether it will be the Eagles or the Saints.
http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2010/03/16/eagles-ink-bell-to-offer-sheet/

[DWinzit]

Thought I'd throw this other Eagle move in the same thread:

Eagles, Seahawks swap defensive ends
Posted by Mike Florio on March 16, 2010 6:38 PM ET
Just as we were chasing a rumor that the Seahawks had blocked defensive end Darryl Tapp from working out at the team facility because he was being traded to Philadelphia, Jay Glazer of FOX reported that, indeed, Tapp has been traded to Philly for defensive end Chris Clemons and a late-round pick.

Tapp had signed his restricted free agency tender on Monday. It's unknown whether he did so knowing that he'd be traded. It's also unknown whether the Eagles will be signing him to a contract extension.

Clemons joined the Eagles as an unrestricted free agent in 2008. Tapp was a second-round draft pick in 2006.
http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2010/03/16/eagles-seahawks-swap-defensive-ends/

[DWinzit]

And another from earlier, Eagles lose Jones:

Bucs signed S Sean Jones to an undisclosed contract.
Contract terms are not yet known. With Sabby Piscitelli's starting strong safety job open to competition, Jones chose the Bucs over the Titans. His signing will likely take Tennessee's Eric Berry out of the running of the No. 3 overall pick.
Source: St. Petersburg Times (http://blogs.tampabay.com/bucs/2010/03/safety-sean-jones-to-the-bucs-is-a-done-deal.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+typepad%2Ftampabaycom%2Fblogs %2Fbucs+%28Bucs+Beat+%7C+)

[DarrellsMyHero28]

Tapps a good player, he'll be making noise in our backfield next year, especially with the Eagles' aggressive schemes.

[Whiskeypeet]

Tapps a good player, he'll be making noise in our backfield next year, especially with the Eagles' aggressive schemes.

He seems like he would be a good fit in Philly. Seattle never seemed to be able to find a way to use him correctly as their pass rush the last couple years was hurting.......

[OWUeagleMD]

Best news of the day is probably the departure of Sean Jones.

In other news, someone reported that Tapp signed an extension as well.

[DarrellsMyHero28]

He seems like he would be a good fit in Philly. Seattle never seemed to be able to find a way to use him correctly as their pass rush the last couple years was hurting.......

He's one of the best DE's that Tech has produced recently, and I'm none too pleased that Philly got him.

They now have two of my favorite Tech defensive players (Macho Harris and Tapp)

[DWinzit]

I'd say Bell is an Eagle. Can't see the Saints matching that offer.

Best news of the day is probably the departure of Sean Jones.Was he supposed to be Dawk's replacement?

[OWUeagleMD]

I'd say Bell is an Eagle. Can't see the Saints matching that offer.
Was he supposed to be Dawk's replacement?

He was brought in as open competition for free safety with Quentin Demps. They both flamed out miserably in training camp and rookie CB Macho Harris ended up winning the spot. Harris started a few games and played terribly. Then Jones started a few games and played terribly. Then Harris started a few more games and didn't play much better. Demps was thrown in here and there. Jones was out of the equation by the end of the year.

It was a pretty ugly situation. But yes, Jones was signed to be part of the solution to Dawk's departure.

[pjfootballer]

Since when is Bell considered a goal line back? He's not 230 lbs. I thought he was more of a speed back.

[OWUeagleMD]

Since when is Bell considered a goal line back? He's not 230 lbs. I thought he was more of a speed back.

That's how the Saints used him this year.

[DWinzit]

He was brought in as open competition for free safety with Quentin Demps. They both flamed out miserably in training camp and rookie CB Macho Harris ended up winning the spot. Harris started a few games and played terribly. Then Jones started a few games and played terribly. Then Harris started a few more games and didn't play much better. Demps was thrown in here and there. Jones was out of the equation by the end of the year.

It was a pretty ugly situation. But yes, Jones was signed to be part of the solution to Dawk's departure.I guess I didn't follow the Eagles trials and tribulations close enough. I do remember one prominent Eagles poster talking up Harris at one point during the season.

I was surprised by how well Dawk played. More impressive was how quickly his leadership qualities were consumed by his new team.

[dockeryfan]

I guess I didn't follow the Eagles trials and tribulations close enough. I do remember one prominent Eagles poster talking up Harris at one point during the season.


People did talk him up, but it was more hoping than anything else. The master plan never involved a rookie as their starter. They went light and released Dawk, probably hoping that Demps could be the guy, with Jones competing. It didn't work, obviously.

[santana_4_prez]

Seems like teams see Mike Bell as expendable. Didn't Shanahan let him walk out of Denver? Or was that McEgo?

[DWinzit]

Seems like teams see Mike Bell as expendable. Didn't Shanahan let him walk out of Denver? Or was that McEgo?He was in Denver his first two seasons. Think he beat out Maurice Clarett

[DWinzit]

Eagles released WR Kevin Curtis.
Together with Darren Howard's release, the moves will save the team almost $10 million in salary and bonuses this year alone. With Jason Avant locked in as the slot receiver, Curtis no longer had a role on offense while bringing no value to special teams. After spending all of last season nursing a knee injury, Curtis is facing questions about how much he has left in the tank this offseason.

Eagles released DE Darren Howard.
He was due to earn a $1M roster bonus Friday on top of his $3.5M salary. The Eagles' 2008 sack leader (10) managed to play in just 10 games last season, which led to the recent Darryl Tapp acquisition. Now 33, Howard can still get after opposing quarterbacks. He should draw interest as a situational pass rusher on the open market.
http://www.rotoworld.com/content/Home_NFL.aspx

[Number5]

Eagles released WR Kevin Curtis.
Together with Darren Howard's release, the moves will save the team almost $10 million in salary and bonuses this year alone. With Jason Avant locked in as the slot receiver, Curtis no longer had a role on offense while bringing no value to special teams. After spending all of last season nursing a knee injury, Curtis is facing questions about how much he has left in the tank this offseason. As soon as Baskett came back, this was bound to happen.




Eagles released DE Darren Howard.
He was due to earn a $1M roster bonus Friday on top of his $3.5M salary. The Eagles' 2008 sack leader (10) managed to play in just 10 games last season, which led to the recent Darryl Tapp acquisition. Now 33, Howard can still get after opposing quarterbacks. He should draw interest as a situational pass rusher on the open market.
http://www.rotoworld.com/content/Home_NFL.aspx

Shame that he never lived up to his billing. Good guy, but he never did what we expected him to.

[Hiro]

Shame that he never lived up to his billing. Good guy, but he never did what we expected him to.
I'd love to have him here as a situational pass rusher. If he can brought on the cheap, no reason to see why he couldn't contribute.

Bell's a good signing by Philly as well. He'll be a good complimentary back to McCoy, who I think could bust out next season.

[DWinzit]

Shame that he never lived up to his billing. Good guy, but he never did what we expected him to.

I'd love to have him here as a situational pass rusher. If he can brought on the cheap, no reason to see why he couldn't contribute.He sure had some extremely productive years but some abilities have eroded.

[DWinzit]

Eagles let Babin fly the coop

Posted by Mike Florio on March 19, 2010 11:32 PM ET
As expected, the Philadelphia Eagles have decided not to match the one-year offer sheet that defensive end Jason Babin (http://www.rotoworld.com/content/playerpages/player_main.aspx?sport=NFL&id=2783) recently signed with the Titans.

Per Dave Sparado of the Eagles' official web site, the team has advised the league (http://www.philadelphiaeagles.com/news/Story.asp?story_id=20531) that the offer will not be met.

Babin agreed to give the Eagles a right of first refusal when signing a contract in 2009. He appeared in 12 games, and he registered 2.5 sacks.

A first-round draft pick of the Texans in 2004, Babin now returns to the AFC South. He was a full-time starter in his rookie year only, and his time in Houston ended after only three seasons.
http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2010/03/19/eagles-let-babin-fly-the-coop/

[redskindan07]

I always thought that Bell would be a nice option here in our backfield