Eagles football blog

Eagles sign Jeff Garcia

The Eagles have three quarterbacks who have combined for 12 Pro Bowl appearances, but their starting quarterback for Sunday's home opener has never thrown an NFL touchdown.

With franchise quarterback Donovan McNabb a "long shot" to play against the Saints, according to head coach Andy Reid, Kolb will make the first start of his career against New Orleans.

And if you think the presence of five-time Pro Bowler Drew Brees on the opposite sideline is intimidating for the third-year pro, check out who's looking over Kolb's shoulder. Continue

Eagles sign Mike Vick to a 2 year deal

Despite head coach Andy Reid’s denials last month and owner Jeffrey Lurie’s recent comments about the importance of character, the Eagles are bringing Michael Vick to Philadelphia.

Vick, the former Falcons quarterback and No. 1 overall pick who served a 23-month prison sentence for his role in a dog-fighting circuit, reportedly signed a two-year deal. The Eagles officially announced the signing just after 9 tonight.

Vick hasn’t played in the NFL since 2006 and had been suspended indefinitely until recently being reinstated by the NFL commissioner Roger Goodell. It’s unclear whether the Eagles are bringing in Vick to back up quarterback Donovan McNabb or play a different role on the offense. Continue

Eagles offered Brown and pick for Boldin

A source told the Arizona Republic that the Eagles offered the Cardinals a third-round pick and starting cornerback Sheldon Brown in exchange for receiver Anquan Boldin. The Cardinals quickly rejected the offer, according to the Phoenix-based newspaper.

Obviously none of this matters much now, except that the Eagles said they would not trade Brown when he asked to be traded the week before the draft. If the report is true, the Eagles must be less opposed to trading Brown than they have indicated. Continue

Eagles trade for CB Hobbs

Sheldon Brown requested a trade.

Instead, the Eagles gave him competition.

In return for two fifth-round picks yesterday, the Eagles obtained veteran New England cornerback Ellis Hobbs, a former third-round pick who started all 16 games for the Patriots each of the last two seasons.

Eagles coach Andy Reid tried to dismiss the notion that Hobbs' addition had any connection to Brown's complaints about his contract and the way the team was dealing with the issue.

"We got a good quality player there," Reid said. "You can't have enough corners in this league, so we wanted to make sure we addressed that and brought in a good quality player. This doesn't have anything to do with Sheldon's situation." Continue

Eagles trade for LT Peters

The Eagles won’t be selecting a left tackle in the first round of the NFL draft next weekend. They got one Friday.

A club source confirmed that the Eagles have acquired Pro Bowl offensive tackle Jason Peters from the Buffalo Bills in exchange for the second of their two first-round picks (28th overall), a fourth-round pick and an undisclosed pick in next year’s draft.

According to the source, Peters is at the NovaCare Complex with his agent, Eugene Parker, working out the details of a new contract.

Peters had 2 years left on his old deal with the Bills and was scheduled to earn $3.4 million in base salary this season. Continue

Guard Nick Cole signs with Eagles for $1.545 million

Nick Cole, whose strong play late in the season at right guard might have put him into the mix for a starting role on the Eagles' reshuffled offensive line this year, signed his 1-year restricted free-agent tender yesterday, as expected.

Cole will make $1.545 million and will be a free agent in 2010 if no new agreement is reached before then. Cole and wideout Hank Baskett, the Birds' two restricted free agents, were tendered at the so-called midlevel, which would require any other team making them an offer to give the Eagles a second-round draft pick if the Birds declined to match the offer. Baskett has not yet signed his tender but is expected to do so. Continue

Eagles sign FB Weaver

A year ago at this time, the Eagles signed Dan Klecko, a defensive tackle, and told the world he was a fullback.

It was the first misstep in a fullback saga that didn't truly get straightened out until late in the season.

A year later, the Eagles again have signed a fullback who might be something more, but this time the uncertainty could have a truly positive impact on the offense.

After flirting with the idea of signing elsewhere, free-agent fullback Leonard Weaver decided yesterday that the Eagles were the best fit. He signed a one-year deal that his agent, Harold Lewis, said could be worth as much as $2.5 million. Weaver is guaranteed $1.75 million. (Inquirer)

FB Walker in talks with Eagles

One of the mysteries of free agency thus far is that the Eagles haven't done anything to address their fullback situation.

That mystery might be getting closer to being solved.

Harold Lewis, agent for ex-Seattle free-agent fullback Leonard Weaver, confirmed last night that he is talking to the Birds about a deal for his client. Continue

Tra Thomas signs with Jaguars

The Jacksonville Jaguars have filled their most glaring need by agreeing to terms with free agent offensive tackle Tra Thomas.

The team expected to sign Thomas to a contract later Monday.

The three-time Pro Bowler who spent the last 11 years with the Eagles is expected to replace Khalif Barnes at left tackle, a move that would give Jacksonville more flexibility heading into next month's NFL draft. The Jaguars had been almost certain to select a left tackle with the No. 8 pick. (AP)

Safety Jones signs one-year deal

The search for Brian Dawkins' long-term replacement in the Eagles' defensive backfield isn't over.

Sean Jones has the first chance to be that guy.

After missing four games with a right-knee injury last season, the former Cleveland Browns safety didn't get a lot of bites in his first exposure on the free-agent market, so he decided to sign a one-year deal with the Eagles yesterday, hoping it turns into a more lucrative multiyear contract either here or elsewhere next year at this time.

The deal, according to his agent, Brian Mackler, is worth $3 million. Jones made $2.145 million last season. Continue