According to numerous reports, the Eagles will host Cowboys free agent linebacker Victor Butler today at the Nova Care Complex.
Butler is a 6’2″ 231 pound outside backer, who has had four years of experience in Dallas’ 3-4 defense, which gives him some value to the Birds. They’re in search of 3-4 linebackers, who can rush the passer and drop into pass coverage as well.
If he signs with the Birds, he would be inserted in the outside linebacker rotation behind Connor Barwin, Brandon Graham and Trent Cole. It makes sense because he has some pass rushing ability. During his four years, he has 11 quarterback sacks and four forced fumbles.
The Birds would be looking to bring him in here as a backup linebacker and key special teams contributor. Butler visited the Cleveland Browns before coming to Philadelphia. It’s been reported that he also visited the Steelers and the Saints.
He’s not going to able to demand a big contract, but the Birds could easily sign him without a big investment.
They should have signed OLB James Anderson who was released by PNthers for Salary Cap reasons and was just signed by the Bears on the cheap..
Victor Butler lacks strength, has had injury issues and is a back-up/special Teamer at best.. He’s fast and cover ok, but weak at the point of attack
Maybe that’s why they’re bring him in…not as a starter, but to strengthen the special teams.
You can Draft a 100 Players in the 5th/6th/7th Rounds to Play Special Teams and pay them a league minimum Rookie Wage
Why pay a 4-Year underperfoming Vet a $1 MIllion Plus Salary to do the same thing.. Butler is a decent player and is definitely an updgrade over Matthews for sure.. Is he over Chaney or Jordan ?? I am not sure about
Absolutely an upgrade over Matthews, you know how I feel about that bum.But, he brings more experience playing special teams that any rookie that you can draft.
And this draft is so deep you can still draft for depth in the 6th, and 7th Round. So why waste those picks on strictly special teams players?
People forget just how abysmal our special teams have been over the past few years.
He’s a depth signing, for competition & ST’s only. Low risk, iffy reward. They need to sign Winston, Sean Phillips, trade Cole & Maclin, release Peters, Watkins, Chaney & Matthews, call it a day, & get ready for the draft.
Why would we release one of the best LTs in the league? I honestly can only assume that is a typo?
Release Peters?? Why would they do that?………….now.
Because he’s 31, 340+ lb’s, coming off of 2 torn Achilles tendons, is an O-linemen, who needs to use his lower body for power, leverage & push-off’s, & is slated to make $10.4M, with a cap hit of $11M, & is un-tradeable. That’s why, crazy j. It will also be a colossal mistake, if they take for granted, that he will be penciled in & be back, anything close to his former self.
For those very reasons I understand that he may not be himself and will get cut, but it won’t happen until he comes in an shows it. I think they will address that need strongly in the draft regardless.
For those very reasons I understand that he may not be himself and may get cut, but it won’t happen until he comes in an shows it. I think they will address that need strongly in the draft regardless.
JP is one of the Hardest Workers in the NFL as an OL and in fact he was working himself back to shape probably too hard to begin with which is probably how he injured himself the first place, he is very competitive and will return to Play at a high level for 3 more seasons, with little to no issues in my opinion.. The Eagle do need to sign or Draft a RT and let Herreman’s compete for a Guard Positon for Herremans is not an NFL OT any longer and especially is not Athletic enough to last in Chip Kelly’s Up-Tempo Pace.. I really believe that Herremans should be the odd man out but his Contract calls for the Eagles to get a big Cap Hit if they released him so Herremans will be an Eagle in 2013 but probably as a Guard or simply a back-up if Watkins ever shows up..
No, you keep Peters. No brainer! If he gets hurt again, or struggles on thr field, then cut him. But not now. Way too premature Dcar
Very rare, I disagree with DCar, but on the subject of Peters, I have to disagree Big man……..
You DO NOT keep him at a $11M cap hit, after 2 Achilles tears, at 31 years old, & 340+lbs! NO FREAKING WAY! Either he takes a pay cut, or he goes. He’s too risky, & not a given, to be anywhere close to being healthy.
They took money from him last year because of his injury, Remember?
They didn’t lose anything last year. This year they’re covered as well if he doesn’t perform.
That’s why there is a strong chance that they’ll draft Fisher a #4, which I’m fine with.
If JP doen not return and at a high level for 2013, This OL is in serious Trouble as will the total Eagle Offense..
I hope Peters comes back and plays well, but the Eagles need a backup left tackle anyway. They must draft an offensive tackle in the first two rounds or sign a free agent.
They need 2 starting OT’s, not just backups.
Sign RT Winston, & draft Joeckel, Fisher, or Johnson. Problems solved.
Or they can draft guys the coach thinks he can develop say in the mid rounds and spends high picks on the guys that score points or kill QB’s
They should sign RT Eric Winston, and then focus there attention on the D with that #4 pick. If they don’t sign a RT in free agency, then were looking at someone like Eric Fisher, Lane Johnson, Chance Warmack or some other offensive lineman.
Agreed, DMAN, but I highly doubt Peters is back, so we need 2 starting OT’s. When he tore his Achilles the 2nd time, most experts where saying it was career ending, & an insurmountable task, to come anywhere close to 100% again, especially at his age, size, & position he plays. Not to mention his $11M cap hit. Too iffy for me. We are rebuilding, & getting younger. BYE BYE!
Reported that VIc Butler had a Pysical late Afternoon
Which pending the results appears that the Team has mad e an offer to him
So I expect the annocement to be made sometime today that he’s an Eagle
So they have now added 3 LZb’s this Free Agency
Pass-Rusher Barwin, ILB Depth and Soecial Teamer John Phillips,
And OLB Depth and more of a pass-cover ZlZb and Special Reamer in Butler plus the LB McCoy from Canada so I would say current LB’s
Chaney, Matthews and possibly Ryan’s could be goners
Ryan’s probably here for 2013 but will be asked to restructure his Contract
I understand where your coming from DCar. $11M is a good chuck of change. But it would be so unfortunate if the Eagles had to let go one of the best, if not the best LT in the NFL. I sure hope he performs well and gives this line a boost they desperately need