Hurricane could pass through if Eagles trade up
Saturday, April 17, 2004
By MARK ECKEL
Staff Writer
PHILADELPHIA - In what has become an Eagles offseason to remember, the team could be close to making another major deal.
According to sources and a report on ESPN.com, the Eagles and San Francisco 49ers are working on a deal that would send the Eagles' 28th overall pick in next Saturday's draft, offensive lineman John Welbourn and another pick to the 49ers in exchange for the 16th overall pick in the draft.
However, a very reliable source closes to the 49ers told The Times last night, that the Eagles' original offer was not enough, but that the teams would have more discussions.
Keep in mind, the Eagles cannot trade either of their fourth-round compensatory picks and do not have a fifth-round pick to deal. That means it would take either a third-round pick, which the Eagles might be reluctant to deal, or one of their two sixth-round picks, which might not be enough for San Francisco.
However, if the rebuilding 49ers wanted a pick in the 2005 draft, the Eagles already have an extra second-round pick, courtesy of Miami for quarterback A.J. Feeley, and an extra fifth-round pick, courtesy of Washington for wide receiver James Thrash.
Welbourn actually got the trade talks started earlier this week when he asked the team to redo his contract, or at the very least include some incentives that would be fitting for a starting guard.
The Eagles, who have Welbourn signed through the 2008 season at modest salaries ($1.0 million this year; $1.2 million in 2005; $1.4 million in 2006; $1.7 million in 2007; and $2.0 million in 2008) emphatically said no.
Instead, the team yesterday signed third-year backup offensive lineman Artis Hicks to a new four-year, $4 million deal, including incentives that could push the average to $2.5 million per year, again paving the way for Welbourn's exit.
"I wasn't asking them to break the bank," Welbourn said. "I just wanted to be treated fairly. I would have taken incentives, roster bonuses, whatever they wanted to do. Basically, they laughed at me. They said (forget) you. So with everything that's been going on around here, I said if they didn't want me, then trade me.
"And here it is three days later and they're trying to trade me. I guess I know what they really think of me."
The Eagles thought enough of Hicks to give him the money they could have given to Welbourn and kept him happy.
Hicks started three games in place of an injured Welbourn last season at left guard and played well. He also started one game at left tackle last year, in place of an injured Tra Thomas.
It was that effort against Miami Dolphins pass rusher Jason Taylor, which opened eyes about Hicks' future with the team.
"All I've done for that team," Welbourn said. "I've come back from injury and played after knee surgery, after a broken leg. I thought I was the good soldier, but I guess that's not what they want anymore. I mean they let Troy Vincent go without even trying to keep him. How does that happen? That really got me. They let Duce (Staley) go. Duce was the team when there nobody else around.
"It's frustrating because I really like Philadelphia and I like playing here. But I don't think I want to be here with what's been happening with this team."
As far as the Eagles moving up to No. 16, it would give them a chance to fill one of their needs - and according to a source, they are targeting one of three Miami Hurricanes.
The Eagles like two University of Miami linebackers, Jon Vilma and D.J. Williams, but both are expected to be gone by the 28th pick. One of the two should still be there at No. 16, especially since the Eagles would be moving ahead of New Orleans, who is looking for a linebacker at No. 18.
Vilma is considered an intelligent middle linebacker with great instincts who makes all the right calls and has good speed to go sideline to sideline.
Williams is not considered as ready as Vilma to come right in and make an impact, but is bigger and stronger and has a great upside. He also can play all three linebacker positions.
Another Hurricane who has drawn the Eagles' interest is offensive lineman Vernon Carey. It was thought the team could get him at No. 28, but he has been rising steadily on several draft boards and has apparently broken into the top 20.
Carey played four different positions at Miami, and Eagles head coach Andy Reid loves that versatility in a lineman. He's primarily a right guard, but several teams project him to play right tackle in the NFL.
I left everything I had on the field. You fans are the best. Even when you are cheering, even when you are booing you guys are the best. I'll truly miss you. - Duce Staley
______________________________________________________________
Miami Hurricanes 5 Time National Champions:
1983, 1987, 1989, 1991, 2001
Saturday, April 17, 2004
By MARK ECKEL
Staff Writer
PHILADELPHIA - In what has become an Eagles offseason to remember, the team could be close to making another major deal.
According to sources and a report on ESPN.com, the Eagles and San Francisco 49ers are working on a deal that would send the Eagles' 28th overall pick in next Saturday's draft, offensive lineman John Welbourn and another pick to the 49ers in exchange for the 16th overall pick in the draft.
However, a very reliable source closes to the 49ers told The Times last night, that the Eagles' original offer was not enough, but that the teams would have more discussions.
Keep in mind, the Eagles cannot trade either of their fourth-round compensatory picks and do not have a fifth-round pick to deal. That means it would take either a third-round pick, which the Eagles might be reluctant to deal, or one of their two sixth-round picks, which might not be enough for San Francisco.
However, if the rebuilding 49ers wanted a pick in the 2005 draft, the Eagles already have an extra second-round pick, courtesy of Miami for quarterback A.J. Feeley, and an extra fifth-round pick, courtesy of Washington for wide receiver James Thrash.
Welbourn actually got the trade talks started earlier this week when he asked the team to redo his contract, or at the very least include some incentives that would be fitting for a starting guard.
The Eagles, who have Welbourn signed through the 2008 season at modest salaries ($1.0 million this year; $1.2 million in 2005; $1.4 million in 2006; $1.7 million in 2007; and $2.0 million in 2008) emphatically said no.
Instead, the team yesterday signed third-year backup offensive lineman Artis Hicks to a new four-year, $4 million deal, including incentives that could push the average to $2.5 million per year, again paving the way for Welbourn's exit.
"I wasn't asking them to break the bank," Welbourn said. "I just wanted to be treated fairly. I would have taken incentives, roster bonuses, whatever they wanted to do. Basically, they laughed at me. They said (forget) you. So with everything that's been going on around here, I said if they didn't want me, then trade me.
"And here it is three days later and they're trying to trade me. I guess I know what they really think of me."
The Eagles thought enough of Hicks to give him the money they could have given to Welbourn and kept him happy.
Hicks started three games in place of an injured Welbourn last season at left guard and played well. He also started one game at left tackle last year, in place of an injured Tra Thomas.
It was that effort against Miami Dolphins pass rusher Jason Taylor, which opened eyes about Hicks' future with the team.
"All I've done for that team," Welbourn said. "I've come back from injury and played after knee surgery, after a broken leg. I thought I was the good soldier, but I guess that's not what they want anymore. I mean they let Troy Vincent go without even trying to keep him. How does that happen? That really got me. They let Duce (Staley) go. Duce was the team when there nobody else around.
"It's frustrating because I really like Philadelphia and I like playing here. But I don't think I want to be here with what's been happening with this team."
As far as the Eagles moving up to No. 16, it would give them a chance to fill one of their needs - and according to a source, they are targeting one of three Miami Hurricanes.
The Eagles like two University of Miami linebackers, Jon Vilma and D.J. Williams, but both are expected to be gone by the 28th pick. One of the two should still be there at No. 16, especially since the Eagles would be moving ahead of New Orleans, who is looking for a linebacker at No. 18.
Vilma is considered an intelligent middle linebacker with great instincts who makes all the right calls and has good speed to go sideline to sideline.
Williams is not considered as ready as Vilma to come right in and make an impact, but is bigger and stronger and has a great upside. He also can play all three linebacker positions.
Another Hurricane who has drawn the Eagles' interest is offensive lineman Vernon Carey. It was thought the team could get him at No. 28, but he has been rising steadily on several draft boards and has apparently broken into the top 20.
Carey played four different positions at Miami, and Eagles head coach Andy Reid loves that versatility in a lineman. He's primarily a right guard, but several teams project him to play right tackle in the NFL.
I left everything I had on the field. You fans are the best. Even when you are cheering, even when you are booing you guys are the best. I'll truly miss you. - Duce Staley
______________________________________________________________
Miami Hurricanes 5 Time National Champions:
1983, 1987, 1989, 1991, 2001
