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Philadelphia Eagles By: Lester Updated 3/14/99 Previous Reports: 2/7/99 The Draft They Eagles have the 2nd overall pick in the draft. The Eagles are still entertaining offers on trading this pick. They entertained offers at the combine from St. Louis, Arizona, New Orleans and Kansas City. After what they saw in RB Ricky Williams at the combine, they are considering trading the 2nd pick. Williams was overweight and had a funny attitude. But, they liked what they saw in QB Akili Smith of Oregon. He is now their top choice and it seems as though they may keep this pick to select him. The Eagles could still trade this pick to maybe the Rams, who have the 6th pick, and still acquire the QB that they desperately needed. Either Central Florida's QB Daunte Culpepper or Syracuse's QB Donovan McNabb will still be available with the 6th pick. Remember that the Eagles did sign QB Pederson, so they may still select Williams. They will probably use their second round pick on a offensive tackle. The Eagles addressed their need for WRs by signing Johnson and Small. They upgraded their defensive line by signing Wheeler. So, they still need a receiving TE, a weak side LB and a Strong Safety. Other possible draft picks are WR D'Wayne Bates, WR Troy Edwards, WR Tai Streets, TE Rufus French, OG Derrick Fletcher, OT Jay Humphrey, S Marquis Smith and S/OLB Larry Atkins. Latest News on Free Agency Before the season even ended, the Eagles signed CB Bobby Taylor to a 6-year contract extension that runs through the year 2004. They also signed DE Greg Jefferson to a 4-year contract extension; DE Hugh Douglas and FS Brian Dawkins were signed through the year 2003. I said earlier that Reid and the Eagles would be very active in the Free Agent market. The Eagles also signed K David Akers, WR Kotto Cotton, P Tony Martino, WR Harvey Middleton, LB Patrise Alexander and S Kenny Harris. They made a decision on what to do with DE Mike Mamula, who has been a major disappointment, and TE Andrew Jordan. They re-signed Mamula to a 4-year contract and Jordan to a 2-year contract. They also had to answer some question on what they will do at the QB position. Hoying and Detmer are both free agents. Director of Football Operations Tom Modrak thinks Hoying is salvageable and he doesn't think that Detmer is a NFL prototype QB. So, what did the Eagles go and do, they signed QB Doug Pederson to a 3-year contract. Pederson was previously with the Green Bay Packers. Coach Reid has already named Pederson the starting QB. David Culley, who was named the WR coach, held this same position with the Pittsburgh Steelers the past three years, must of have had something to do with the Eagles being able to sign WR Charles Johnson, who was with Pittsburgh, to a 5-year contract. The Eagles also signed top veteran free agents WR Torrance Small (4 years from Indianapolis), DT Mark Wheeler (4 years from New England) and P Sean Landetta (3 years from Green Bay). The Eagles were not finished yet; they signed 4th year LB Dana Howard. Howard was drafted in the 6th round of the 1995 draft by the Dallas Cowboys. He has played for the Cowboys, Rams, Saints and Frankfurt Galaxy. The Eagles have also signed first year players K Barry Cantrell, OT Matthew Hogg and FB Mark Kacmarynski. Finally, Redskins UFA WR Leslie Shepherd visited and liked what he saw in Philadelphia. Shepherd said that he and Philly are a perfect fit and that a deal with the team is possible.
Free Agents Resigned DE Mike Mamula (Re-signed for 4 years) TE Andrew Jordan (Resigned for 2 years) Free Agents not offered yet or have not signed with another team OG Ian Beckles K Chris Boniol OG Barrett Brooks LB Mike Caldwell QB Koy Detmer (EFA) TE Jason Dunn (RFA) DT Rhett Hall (TP) CB Al Harris (EFA) RB Aaron Hayden QB Bobby Hoying (RFA) P Tommy Hutton WR Dietrich Jells (RFA) DT Steve Martin (RFA) C/OG Bubba Miller (RFA) CB Allen Rossum (EFA) RB Duce Staley (EFA) LS Morris Unutoa RB Corey Walker (EFA) DE Al Wallace (EFA) S Michael Zordich Selected in the Expansion Draft DB Tim McTyer (11th Pick) WR Freddie Solomon (33rd Pick) Not selected in the Expansion Draft WR Jeff Graham C Morris Unutoa LB James Willis Going OverseasK David Akers (Berlin), DT Chris Akins (Frankfurt), P Barry Cantrell (Frankfurt), S Kenny Harris (Rhein), OT Matthew Hogg (Frankfurt), LB Dana Howard (Amsterdam), FB Mark Kacmarynski (Frankfurt), CB Clarence Love (Frankfurt), DT Henry Slay (Berlin) and OT Melvin Thomas (Frankfurt)
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