The Eagles continued making moves in free agency on Thursday by signing former Ravens cornerback Cary Williams and former Giants safety Kenny Phillips.
Williams signed a three-year deal, and will start alongside fellow free agent acquisition Bradley Fletcher. He had four interceptions for Baltimore last season, and plays an aggressive, physical style.
Phillips, a former first-round pick of the Giants, is a guy who can make a difference on the field when healthy. Phillips played in just seven games a year ago, and has played a full 16 games just twice in his five-year career. His best season came in 2011, where he made four interceptions while helping the Giants to a Super Bowl title. The 26-year old signed a one-year deal.
The Eagles have now completely rebuilt their secondary. Gone are underachieving cornerbacks Nnamdi Asomugha and Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, with the two being replaced by Bradley Fletcher and Cary Williams. With the signings of Phillips and Patrick Chung, Kurt Coleman likely becomes the team’s third safety, and Nate Allen will now be hard-pressed to even make the team.
There’s a trait that both Williams and Phillips share that will also be of great use to the Eagles: they have won Super Bowl rings in the last two years, and they can help reshape the attitude of this locker room.
These moves will also impact the team’s draft strategy, cornerback Dee Milliner is likely no longer a possibility with the fourth overall pick.
Phillips is an excellent signing….if healthy, he is a top 10 safety.
I agree Jott i like Cary Williams. I still think we will draft a CB but not in round 1. Now i personally think the pick will be Geno Smith QB or Dion Jordan.
CBs later Jonathan Banks, Amerson.
If it is Geno, Foles will be traded for a 2nd and 3rd an a pick next year
All of the CBs out there in FA were roughly the same so this seems like a good number for a young CB. Phillips is low risk on a one year deal. Hopefully he will bounce back like Landry did last year. Nice moves.
I would still like them to sign Smith or Volmer for RT or potentially LT depending on Peters’ health.
I dont think Geno gets to #4… the Jags or Raiders will take him…most likely the Jags… new GM, new coach….they want to put their stamp on things and Gabbert blows.
i agree 100% with this. Geno is todays flavor– his stock has gone way up, comparisons to kaepernick and wilson etc.now by the draft it may go down but everyone knows that you have to have a qb… i think the eagles now be in a position where they have to trade up if they want him… shame we don’t know anyone who has the number 1 pick….
I’m sick of hearing about Geno Smith…Ride it out with Mike Vick or Nick Foles and if they suck, draft a QB next year in a deeper, more talented draft in the Position..
Eagles are ready to sign LB Conner Barwin from the Texans
One things for sure is that they will tackle better than last year.
Conner Barwin deal is done according to Adam Caplan. Just waiting for him to sign deal.
Where’s GMCliff..
Eagles signing LB Connor Barwin.. I told you the Eagles would pursue him….
I have hit on NT Sopaga & TE Casey, thus far …
Now the Draft could be used on OL,CB,WR,OLB,Safety and Depth on DL
Eagles have made some very nice pick-ups with Kenny Phillips, Carey Williams,Fletcher, .. Things looking good
I think Fletcher is actually better then Williams.
Conner Barwins deal is 6 years 36 million with a chance toake 40 million. Wow!
the locker room just got blown up. Complete change now. My hope is that some of the guys that have been there a while will take this a sign that they are not just a few bad plays away from a SB. No more talk of dynasties. no more talk of SB’s. No more talk about young guns. No more talk period.
I hope some of those guys will get walking papers Stevo. I don’t think they are done either.
I like the signings today. They ave redeemed themselves, a bit. But why do we always have to sign guys, with knee problems. Phillips is good, but he’s always hurt. Williams is solid. I love the Barwin signing.
Barwin- A
Casey- B
K. Phillips- B
Williams- B-
Sopoaga- C
Chung- C
Fletcher- C-
J. Phillips- C-
Now we can concentrate on the draft. What these signings are telling me, is if we don’t trade down, we draft, either Millner, Fisher, or Warmack with #4. I pray to God, it isn’t Geno Smith, nor Jordan. No freaking projects, Please!!!!
I heard they are still looking for a RT in FA. Adam Caplin was saying that on DNL last nite. He also mentioned that he gets the sense it would be Watkins and herremans competing for the RG position, Chip supposedly loves Mathis.
From this: All you, “lets be patient” boobs better be happy, this is it, unless they load up in the draft! Be happy with your patience, with more stiffs! All sore spots, in the secondary, O-line & QB, not improved, AT ALL! It’s not early, when all the impact players, in your areas of need, are gone. Very SICKENING, DISAPPOINTING, & UNDERWHELMING! Mostly, ALL of the hope, excitement & enthusiasm, that I had for the off-season, is gone!
To: I like the signings today
Hilarious and the definition of band wagon!
Funny how that works out huh? Turns out FA is longer than 1-2 days. This is a solid start to rebuilding a team with a lot of holes. I still hope that they make a run at an OL before the draft, but if they don’t I am pretty happy with what they have done.
right! the two posts that i quoted above are from the same guy in less than 24 hours! the first post after a day of FA said ‘all hope, excitement and enthusiasm is gone’
by no means do i think they are a SB team at this point but hey they have a plan, the are not total idiots, they aren’t ‘ass’ they are nfl people trying to put together a team…. some of these moves will work, some won’t.
Exactly and that is a much better way to approach this instead of looking to 1-2 high priced guys and then leaving gaping holes every where else.
The defense is a project that will take some time. This could turn into a complete turnover of the defensive roster except for Cox, Ryans and Kendricks. Cole and Graham will have to fight for their jobs as well as Boykin, Marsh and Hughes. And then they are switching systems. Well, you can’t switch systems and have all of the right players in place in one off season. That is why I like spreading out the signings. Mix in some draft picks from this year and see how it turns out.
After this year, they will be in a much better position to really solidify the defense going forward with FA and the draft. I am looking to grade the defense at the start of next season. If they play well this year then that is a bonus, but it takes time to do what they want to do.
Also, quote me correctly! I stated, all the hope, excitement, & enthusiasm, I had, was gone! Don’t conveniently leave $#!T out, to fit your agenda! You creep!
my 7:43 post was copied and pasted directly from you… i may be a creep but you are a negative nitwick who likes to criticize.
No numbnuts, a bandwagon fan, is a fan that only roots for winning teams, & abandons them when they stink! When the F^#@ have I ever stopped rooting for them? What, now that I’m a little more content, you have problem with that too?!? Who the F^#@ are you, to question anyones fandom? I love every team in this city, & if they warrant criticism, I’m going to do so accordingly! Do you think you’re a better fan, because you delusionally see everything through rose colored glasses, & I choose to be more realistic. Just because I’m impatient & don’t tolerate ineptness, stupidity, condescending people, who takes their fan base for granted, doesn’t make me a bandwagon fan, or any less than a fan than you. Also, instead of copying & pasting my comments, try having the balls to say my name, & not “the same guy.” The 1st wave was garbage, these 3 guys are legit players, I like. So, that makes me less than a fan? You don’t me, so don’t claim to know, what, or whom I am. If you don’t like what I have to say, & can’t discuss it, like a REAL MAN, don’t F^#@ING READ MY COMMENT, & DON’T CORRECT ME, TELL ME WHAT TO SAY, OR THINK! You disagree, & think differently, that’s good for you, & I can’t care less what you think about me! You don’t have a clue!
I disagree that the 1st wave was garbage. They got a true 3-4 NT which they didn’t have and they got Casey who fills out depth at TE and will allow them to play more of a 2 TE set because Harbor stinks. Also Chung is an upgrade at S. They can’t have stars at every position because they have too many holes to fill.
Garbage was a bit harsh. Underwhelming is better suited. I like Casey, but Sopoaga is 32, a 2 down NT, & can’t stop the run. Excuse my venom, Mr Superfan, got me fired up, with his imbecilic cluelessness!
Any NT in a 3-4 is basically a 2 Down PLayer DCar..
Their #1 Function is to take Space ove rteh Guard/Center Gaps..
It’s very Rare that a Run-Stuffing DT also happens to be a Pass-Rusher.. Sopaga will play 30-35 Snaps a Game and be effective in his Role, helping to clog the middle which allows the LB’s free to make plays .. Now on obvious Passing Downs, Eagles will take Sopoaga out as most NT’s in a 3-4 come out on Passing Downs
and shift/bring in the more athletic,quicker Players to get after the QB and slide Fletcher Cox, Cedric Thornton as Pass-Rushing DT’s..Soapaga is one the best pure NT’s in the NFL and an excellent signing in my opinion
my 7:43 post was copied and pasted directly from you… i may be a creep but you are a negative nitwick who likes to criticize.
OOH, you hurt my feelings! I’ve been called worse my man! I’m not always negative, nor do I LIKE to criticize! I do it when its warranted. I live in reality & don’t have a losing mentality. “Be patient” “It’ll get better” “We didn’t win in the playoffs, but 102 wins means something” “There’s always next year” “Everything is going to be OK” Attitude of being content, with being 2nd best & a loser mentality. It’s called tough love! As I stated, just because I’m impatient, have no tolerance for BS, don’t except failure, & criticize when warranted, doesn’t make less than a fan than you! Get it through your thick, delusional head!
Funny because my brother is a 49ers fan and he said that this guy clogged the middle pretty well for them. I have to admit that I haven’t seen him play much, but they let him go because of age, not because he couldn’t play.
There was no one else out there to get at NT, so they needed someone that will be a 1-2 year player. They will address his age in the draft or FA.
if a choice on the 49er DL – Justin Smith, Ray McDonald, Aldon Smith, Ahmad Brooks or Isaac Sopoaga — good ole Isaac might be 5th
Knighton. Younger, up & comer. But, water under the bridge. He’s ok, would have went younger, but he should be a sufficient stop-gap. I would love to see them get Brandon Williams in 3-4. Dude is under rated, & IMHO, is going to be very good, in the NFL! Hopefully Gamble helps us, have a monster draft!
so dcar your impatience showed thru obviously…. you said you criticize when warranted… all i said was be patient FA just started and less than 24 hours later you say they did ok. all i ever have said is that gm’s etc make moves. they have a plan and sometimes it doesn’t come to fruition. thats what i’ve said about AR and am saying about rosie. and when it doesn’t come thru its usually because players underperform.
OK, hac, olive branch, you win! It’s the weekend, don’t want to start on a bad note. My Wife just asked me, “Who you arguing with now? I said it’s not you, so be happy! I got hit with a pillow!” I don’t want to argue. Have a beer on me! XD
My Grades as Follows
Barwin,Casey,Sopaga — “A” (Starters from Day 1 – All Updgrades at OLB,FB/TE & DT)
Fletcher,Williams,Phillip’s – “B” (Compete for Starting Positions in a Revamped Secondary with all 4 Starting Spots open for Competition.. If Fletcher/ Phillip’s remain Healthy, could be the makings of a very good Secondary)
Patrick Chung, John Phillips – “C+” — (Back-ups/Special Teamers &Depth)
LB John Phillips could be a minor surprise for he has the tools to be a decent NFL LB, but has had injurie’s limiting his Play time.. another Versatile Player who will probably learn all LB Positions and be the 5th/6th LB on the Roster to to back-up and play Special Teams
you are generous — Scouts inc on ESPN only gives 90 plus points or an (A) to pro bowl potential players in the pre draft pick rankings.
IF, healthy! IF, is the important word! The 1 thing, all the defensive guys have in common (except Sopo), that is a MAJOR upgrade, is all of them are good tacklers. Now health, durability, ability to run, cover & make plays, is another story! Hopefully Gamble helps us, have a monster draft! We also have Cole, Graham, Maclin & Foles as trade chips. It would also be wise, to trade down, if we can fleece a desperate team, that wants Smith, or Fisher, & get a high return. I don’t want Geno Smith, nor Jordan. I’d rather them overdraft Warmack, Millner, or Ziggy, before I’d do that. Lets keep our fingers crossed!
i think that one thing that these moves has down is give them flexibility in the draft. If they move to sign an OL, then there are really open to picking the best player at each pick instead of picking only for need.
I agree, as long as they don’t reach fo Smith & Jordan, at #4!
DCAR i just truely worry about your internet blood pressure!
you are a passionate fan –
i had to give up dogfish head now because i love it and makes me gain weight… first scotch now good beer….ugh!
HAC, If I had to give up my beer & liquors, I’d really be a basket case! They’re my only saviors, guilty pleasures. Got me through a lot of bad days. I train in MMA, weight training & Yoga, to counteract the weight gain. I take Calamarine Omega-3’s & Fibrboast, for heart, brain health. inflammation, sleeplessness, preservation of hair & skin. Was skeptical at 1st, but they completely lowered, both my cholesterol & BP, sleep better, my bad wheels feel better, & concentration is great. Check them out. every bit helps, especially after 40
The Eagles will trade down with the Rams and receive their 16 & 22 in the first round…
The Rams will get Geno Smith and begin their ascension in a division that will soon be packed with serious contenders with the Cards staying doormats.
STL hasn’t given up on Bradford yet. This will not happen especially since Geno Smith will make no difference for them in the near future because they are going to be a 3rd place team for a while.
I hope Kenny Phillips turns out better than the one year exploratory contracts to Steve Smith or Marlin Jackson. For a while there the Eagles with taking a lot of chances on rebuilt knees ( Ricky Sapp, Jack Ikegwuonu, Cornelius Ingram) with not much success
Fletcher tore his ACL twice, also. In 2009 & 2011! They like those rebuilt ACL’s, don’t they? LOL!
no superstars on the D yet — no JJ Watts, Vince Wilforks, Pat Willis, Terrell Suggs, Troy Polamoula, Darrell Revis –( defensive player of the year candidates)
the D sitll is a bottom top team in talent but the weaklings are beginning to disappear