Eagles do NOT sign LeCharles Bentley (1 Viewer)

[Jason Wood]

WIP discussing LeCharles Bentley is the Eagles initial free agent target and are prepared to sign him immediately at the start of free agency.

http://www.philly.com/mld/philly/news/brea...ws/14004579.htm

Eagles set to sign Pro Bowl center

By Bob Brookover

INQUIRER STAFF WRITER

The Eagles will have to wait a few more days, but it appears as if their first big free-agent signing of the off-season is going to be LeCharles Bentley, the Pro Bowl center from the New Orleans Saints.

According to a source close to the center, Bentley's interest in joining the Eagles is so strong that only the delay in the free-agency period prevented the move from happening today.

Free-agent signings were supposed to start today, but the NFL moved the date back to Monday in the slim hope that it can still negotiate an extension of the collective bargaining agreement with the players' union.

It has been no secret that the Eagles' primary goal this off-season is to improve on both the offensive and defensive lines. There had been speculation recently that they might try to sign New York Jets center Kevin Mawae if he was released as part of a salary-cap purge.

Mawae, a 12-year veteran, actually was released yesterday, but it makes far more sense for the Eagles to sign Bentley, who is only 26 years old and presumably just moving into the prime of his career.

The Eagles certainly have the salary-cap room needed to make Bentley the kind of offer that would lure him to Philadelphia.

Bentley was a second-round pick by the Saints in 2002. After playing center at Ohio State, he excelled at guard during his first two seasons with the Saints. He was Sports Illustrated's offensive rookie of the year in 2002 and earned a spot on the NFC Pro Bowl roster in his second season. Bentley moved back to center in 2004 and made the Pro Bowl at that position this season.

His impending arrival is likely to be bad news for Hank Fraley, who had been the Eagles' starting center since the 2001 season, when he took over for an injured Bubba Miller. Fraley started all but one game from 2001 through the midway point of last season when he suffered a torn rotator cuff in a loss at Washington.

Fraley, 28, was scheduled to make $650,000 in 2006, which is the final year of his contract.

Jamaal Jackson took over as the starter from Fraley, and he will likely remain with the team in a backup role at center and possibly even as a candidate to compete for a starting job at guard.

It is still not clear what the remainder of the Eagles' offensive line will look like in 2006. Left tackle Tra Thomas, coming off back surgery, will have to prove he is healthy, and last year's starting left guard, Artis Hicks, is not a lock to retain that job.

There are still rumblings that the Eagles will make a run at Seattle's Steve Hutchinson, who is considered by many to be the top guard in the league. The Seahawks placed the transition tag on Hutchinson last week, which means they can match any offer from another team.

On the right side of the offensive line, it seems more than likely that the Eagles will need a replacement for unrestricted free agent Jon Runyan at tackle, with potential candidates being right guard Shawn Andrews or Todd Herremans, who filled in for Thomas at left tackle last season. There has been talk within the organization of moving Herremans to the guard position.

Another name that continues to surface as a potential free-agent addition for the Eagles is quarterback Jeff Garcia, the former Terrell Owens teammate who played in six games for the Detroit Lions last season.

Speaking of Owens, the delayed start to the league's fiscal year has affected him as well. The Eagles now have until March 11 to either trade or release the wide receiver before they will owe him a $5 million roster bonus. The deadline had been Wednesday. The wide receiver, who may be meeting with the Miami Dolphins today, has about as much chance of getting that signing bonus from the Eagles as he does of eating Christmas dinner with Donovan McNabb's family.

Although teams were able to rescind all roster moves they made yesterday because of the decision to delay the start of the free-agency period, several interesting names in addition to Mawae surfaced on the waiver wire before that news.

Among the players cut by teams to create salary-cap space were Kansas City Chiefs linebacker Shawn Barber and Dallas Cowboys defensive tackle La'Roi Glover.

Barber, of course, performed extremely well for the Eagles as their starting weakside linebacker in 2002 before signing a seven-year deal with the Chiefs in 2003.

Injuries have limited Barber to just 11 games in the last two seasons.

Glover, 31, was going into the final year of a deal that would have paid him $6 million this season, including a $1.5 million roster bonus. The move saved the Cowboys $6 million and put them in a position to make some moves of their own in free agency.

When the Eagles talked about failed contract negotiations with former defensive tackle Corey Simon in recent years, Glover's name often arose as a player they considered among the elite defensive tackles. Rocky Bernard, an unrestricted free agent from the Seattle Seahawks, is also a potential target for the Eagles.

Extra points. It appears as if veteran defensive tackle Hollis Thomas may not be back for an 11th season with the Eagles. A team source confirmed a report on profootballtalk.com that the Eagles are trying to trade Thomas, who has not been happy with his contract in the last two seasons... . As expected, the Eagles tendered one-year contracts to their four restricted free agents yesterday. Also as expected, cornerback Rod Hood received the highest-level tender, which means the Eagles would get a first-round draft pick if they decided not to match an offer from another team. Running back Reno Mahe, punter Dirk Johnson and safety Quintin Mikell all received the lowest tender figures, the Eagles said

 

[Sigmund Bloom]

wow. probably the biggest prize of all the free agents, and money WELL spent if they decide to go this way.

to the iggles.

 

[Jason Wood]

wow. probably the biggest prize of all the free agents, and money WELL spent if they decide to go this way.

to the iggles.

Interesting to see whether Fraley is let go or not. I assume he will be because of Jamaal presence. Fraley isn't athletic enough to play guard [although Bentley certainly is].

 

[Chaos]

They won't get him. Cleveland will. They have the need, the money and Bentley wants to come home to the Brownies.

 

[wadegarrett]

They won't get him. Cleveland will. They have the need, the money and Bentley wants to come home to the Brownies.

As much as I'd like to see it, don't think it will happen.

 

[Jason Wood]

They won't get him. Cleveland will. They have the need, the money and Bentley wants to come home to the Brownies.

You never know until the contract is signed...but the reports coming out this morning aren't that the Eagles plan to make a push for Bentley, but that he's already agreed to sign with them and will be officially locked in as soon as the legal free agency period begins.

 

[Please See Mine]

Great news. Fraley was a nice guy and worked hard, but over the course of his tenure as a starter, pressure up the middle became an increasing problem.

 

[Jason Wood]

Great news. Fraley was a nice guy and worked hard, but over the course of his tenure as a starter, pressure up the middle became an increasing problem.

I don't want to get TOO excited because some team could give Bentley PL$NTY of reasons to change his mind by Sunday midnight; but IF he in fact is a lock, I'm really pleased with both the addition and the Eagles aggressive stance to the free agent period.

 

[AnonymousBob]

Wow, they must've really swooped in there if they've locked him up. I thought there would be a bidding war for the guy.

 

[RedRaiders]

They won't get him. Cleveland will. They have the need, the money and Bentley wants to come home to the Brownies.

The Eagles don't have the need or the money?

 

[JaxBill]

What's the latest on Tra Thomas? I know there was talk of moving Shawn Andrews to RT, but will they sign another tackle to play LT?

 

[JetMaxx]

Jason,

Any surprise to you that this leaked early? Seems odd to me considering how tight lipped the Eagles are regarding personnel moves. They even shut down Spadaro on the website forums from posting any insights because other teams supposedly read the forums. So for this to come out is not only odd but risky in that another team could swoop in and raise the bar.

Would be great if it happened.

The article mentioned Hutchinson as well. Considering the numbers involved, could both even be a possibility? Signing both would equal the Freak and TO signings 2 years ago. Not as highly known players but perhaps better, certainly younger, and just as valuable.

 

[Jason Wood]

Jason,

Any surprise to you that this leaked early? Seems odd to me considering how tight lipped the Eagles are regarding personnel moves. They even shut down Spadaro on the website forums from posting any insights because other teams supposedly read the forums. So for this to come out is not only odd but risky in that another team could swoop in and raise the bar.

Would be great if it happened.

The article mentioned Hutchinson as well. Considering the numbers involved, could both even be a possibility? Signing both would equal the Freak and TO signings 2 years ago. Not as highly known players but perhaps better, certainly younger, and just as valuable.

I guess I'm not surprised under the circumstances. 99% of the league and the media expected free agency to be underway today, and if Bentley and his agent had already been ready to fly to Philly [or Philly execs fly to them] with contract terms in hand, that would be awfully hard to keep bottled up.As I said, they're reporting this like it's a done deal. But until he signs officially, nothing is certain.

I'm hopeful though...earlier reports by Howard Eskin threw out names like Hutchinson and Randle El, but none of those discussions ever gained steam outside of Eskin's say so.

 

[Deranged Hermit]

Jason,

Any surprise to you that this leaked early? Seems odd to me considering how tight lipped the Eagles are regarding personnel moves. They even shut down Spadaro on the website forums from posting any insights because other teams supposedly read the forums. So for this to come out is not only odd but risky in that another team could swoop in and raise the bar.

Would be great if it happened.

The article mentioned Hutchinson as well. Considering the numbers involved, could both even be a possibility? Signing both would equal the Freak and TO signings 2 years ago. Not as highly known players but perhaps better, certainly younger, and just as valuable.

A line of Tra, Hutchinson, Bentley, Andrews and ???. Even with the ??? at OT, that's a VERY good OL. If they can add a WR like Jurivicious and concentrate on DE, RB and LB in the draft, they are in very good shape for this season.

 

[Sigmund Bloom]

Also, this validates the reports that the Eagles are going to come out guns blazing in FA.

They are going to be a great team to get good SB odds in Vegas... at least early.

 

[andyk]

Isnt this basically an admission of huge tampering by the eagles.

 

[Ditkaless Wonders]

I would love for the Packers to explore bidding for him.

 

[Deranged Hermit]

Isnt this basically an admission of huge tampering by the eagles.

Not really, FA was supposed to start today, but it got moved back.

 

[Jason Wood]

Isnt this basically an admission of huge tampering by the eagles.

As soon as the deadline passes for tagging players, Bentley became a free agent and was allowed to meet, visit and talk with any team of his choosing. There are two different dates...the date when players become free agents, and the date when teams are contractually allowed to sign with teams.

 

[Aaronstory]

Isnt this basically an admission of huge tampering by the eagles.

Not really, FA was supposed to start today, but it got moved back.

Um, actualy, it is. Teams are not supposed to even be in contact with FAs before free agency begins, but the NFL lets this dirty little secret go on every year.

 

[andyk]

but didnt the report say that he was ready to fly in and sign that night because they had already reached an agreement in principle?

 

[Aaronstory]

Isnt this basically an admission of huge tampering by the eagles.

As soon as the deadline passes for tagging players, Bentley became a free agent and was allowed to meet, visit and talk with any team of his choosing. There are two different dates...the date when players become free agents, and the date when teams are contractually allowed to sign with teams.

But that date was moved as well with the 72 hour dealy.

 

[andyk]

Isnt this basically an admission of huge tampering by the eagles.

As soon as the deadline passes for tagging players, Bentley became a free agent and was allowed to meet, visit and talk with any team of his choosing. There are two different dates...the date when players become free agents, and the date when teams are contractually allowed to sign with teams.

thanks for clearing that up I thought they could not even be in contact with teams untill the actual free agent period began, that does make me wonder why we have not heard about anyone else visiting teams, other than TO since the eagles gave him permission to seek a trade.

 

[slinky]

Isnt this basically an admission of huge tampering by the eagles.

Not really, FA was supposed to start today, but it got moved back.

Um, actualy, it is. Teams are not supposed to even be in contact with FAs before free agency begins, but the NFL lets this dirty little secret go on every year.

Either the NFL should really stick to their guns, or ditch this rule altogether. What's the point in setting up FA start date if teams/FAs can begin discussing contracts prior to the start of FA?

(p.s. I'm still hoping Cleveland gets to him first.. )

 

[scratcher]

wow... this makes my heart pit a pat tat. damn the FA date being moved back.

 

[Jason Wood]

Jason,

Any surprise to you that this leaked early?  Seems odd to me considering how tight lipped the Eagles are regarding personnel moves.  They even shut down Spadaro on the website forums from posting any insights because other teams supposedly read the forums.  So for this to come out is not only odd but risky in that another team could swoop in and raise the bar.

Would be great if it happened. 

The article mentioned Hutchinson as well.  Considering the numbers involved, could both even be a possibility?    Signing both would equal the Freak and TO signings 2 years ago. Not as highly known players but perhaps better, certainly younger, and just as valuable.

A line of Tra, Hutchinson, Bentley, Andrews and ???. Even with the ??? at OT, that's a VERY good OL. If they can add a WR like Jurivicious and concentrate on DE, RB and LB in the draft, they are in very good shape for this season.

I don't think the Eagles will sign Hutch He's a transition tagged guy and I believe wants to stay in Seattle. He MAY let the Eagles or another team give him a juicy offer sheet just to bring back to the 'hawks, but I don't see the Eagles paying two interior lineman $5+ million per season.Assuming the Bentley signing comes through...I see the Eagles line looking like this for 2006:

LT -- T. Thomas
LG -- A. Hicks
C -- L. Bentley
RG -- TBD [scott Young or Jamaal Jackson if not addressed elsewhere]
RT -- S. AndrewsTodd Herremans will factor into the line, too. I wouldn't rule out the Eagles letting Tra Thomas go, too, in which case Herremans would be penciled in at LT. If the Birds are going to sign Bentley though, I also think it's a safe bet they'll add a veteran tackle [a la Hopkins] to help bolster depth.

 

[Jason Wood]

Isnt this basically an admission of huge tampering by the eagles.

As soon as the deadline passes for tagging players, Bentley became a free agent and was allowed to meet, visit and talk with any team of his choosing. There are two different dates...the date when players become free agents, and the date when teams are contractually allowed to sign with teams.

thanks for clearing that up I thought they could not even be in contact with teams untill the actual free agent period began, that does make me wonder why we have not heard about anyone else visiting teams, other than TO since the eagles gave him permission to seek a trade.

Whether it's explicitly stated or not, the NFL has always turned a blind eye to this. Remember a few years ago when the Redskins hopped on a private jet at 12:01 am and flew to sign Cornelius Griffin?

 

[andyk]

Isnt this basically an admission of huge tampering by the eagles.

As soon as the deadline passes for tagging players, Bentley became a free agent and was allowed to meet, visit and talk with any team of his choosing. There are two different dates...the date when players become free agents, and the date when teams are contractually allowed to sign with teams.

thanks for clearing that up I thought they could not even be in contact with teams untill the actual free agent period began, that does make me wonder why we have not heard about anyone else visiting teams, other than TO since the eagles gave him permission to seek a trade.

Whether it's explicitly stated or not, the NFL has always turned a blind eye to this. Remember a few years ago when the Redskins hopped on a private jet at 12:01 am and flew to sign Cornelius Griffin?

Yeah I know that it has never really been enforced but most of the teams have went out of the way to look like they dont tamper. the first thing I thought of when I heard about the free agency period being moved back was I wonder how many players had to cancel flights.

 

[Please See Mine]

Jason,

Any surprise to you that this leaked early?  Seems odd to me considering how tight lipped the Eagles are regarding personnel moves.  They even shut down Spadaro on the website forums from posting any insights because other teams supposedly read the forums.  So for this to come out is not only odd but risky in that another team could swoop in and raise the bar.

Would be great if it happened.  

The article mentioned Hutchinson as well.  Considering the numbers involved, could both even be a possibility?     Signing both would equal the Freak and TO signings 2 years ago. Not as highly known players but perhaps better, certainly younger, and just as valuable.

A line of Tra, Hutchinson, Bentley, Andrews and ???. Even with the ??? at OT, that's a VERY good OL. If they can add a WR like Jurivicious and concentrate on DE, RB and LB in the draft, they are in very good shape for this season.

I don't think the Eagles will sign Hutch He's a transition tagged guy and I believe wants to stay in Seattle. He MAY let the Eagles or another team give him a juicy offer sheet just to bring back to the 'hawks, but I don't see the Eagles paying two interior lineman $5+ million per season.Assuming the Bentley signing comes through...I see the Eagles line looking like this for 2006:

LT -- T. Thomas
LG -- A. Hicks
C -- L. Bentley
RG -- TBD [scott Young or Jamaal Jackson if not addressed elsewhere]
RT -- S. AndrewsTodd Herremans will factor into the line, too. I wouldn't rule out the Eagles letting Tra Thomas go, too, in which case Herremans would be penciled in at LT. If the Birds are going to sign Bentley though, I also think it's a safe bet they'll add a veteran tackle [a la Hopkins] to help bolster depth.

Have they officially said that Runyan won't be back? Isn't it possible that, depending on where things go with this CBA talk, that the FA money elsewhere might not be as great as previously thought and that the Eagles would be able to re-sign him? Personally, I'd prefer that to keeping Thomas, who has had some health questions.

 

[ChampBailey24]

Thats great. If the eagles dont get as many injuries as last year they'll be back on top.

 

[Jason Wood]

Jason,

Any surprise to you that this leaked early?  Seems odd to me considering how tight lipped the Eagles are regarding personnel moves.  They even shut down Spadaro on the website forums from posting any insights because other teams supposedly read the forums.  So for this to come out is not only odd but risky in that another team could swoop in and raise the bar.

Would be great if it happened.  

The article mentioned Hutchinson as well.  Considering the numbers involved, could both even be a possibility?     Signing both would equal the Freak and TO signings 2 years ago. Not as highly known players but perhaps better, certainly younger, and just as valuable.

A line of Tra, Hutchinson, Bentley, Andrews and ???. Even with the ??? at OT, that's a VERY good OL. If they can add a WR like Jurivicious and concentrate on DE, RB and LB in the draft, they are in very good shape for this season.

I don't think the Eagles will sign Hutch He's a transition tagged guy and I believe wants to stay in Seattle. He MAY let the Eagles or another team give him a juicy offer sheet just to bring back to the 'hawks, but I don't see the Eagles paying two interior lineman $5+ million per season.Assuming the Bentley signing comes through...I see the Eagles line looking like this for 2006:

LT -- T. Thomas
LG -- A. Hicks
C -- L. Bentley
RG -- TBD [scott Young or Jamaal Jackson if not addressed elsewhere]
RT -- S. AndrewsTodd Herremans will factor into the line, too. I wouldn't rule out the Eagles letting Tra Thomas go, too, in which case Herremans would be penciled in at LT. If the Birds are going to sign Bentley though, I also think it's a safe bet they'll add a veteran tackle [a la Hopkins] to help bolster depth.

Have they officially said that Runyan won't be back? Isn't it possible that, depending on where things go with this CBA talk, that the FA money elsewhere might not be as great as previously thought and that the Eagles would be able to re-sign him? Personally, I'd prefer that to keeping Thomas, who has had some health questions.

Runyan acknowledged last week that the Eagles hadn't approached him on a new deal and made no indications of wanting to retain him. He'll get snagged by some team pretty quickly, IMHO.

 

[scratcher]

I agree. But my main worry is the left side of that line. Another FA pickup would solidify the line tho... orrrrrrr..... trade up a good deal and get daBrick. .

 

[ChampBailey24]

Not a good idea. They'd have to give up too much to move up IMO.

 

[Chaos]

They won't get him. Cleveland will. They have the need, the money and Bentley wants to come home to the Brownies.

The Eagles don't have the need or the money?

RR you are missing one of the key points, namely that he wants to come home to Cleveland. Philly may have 2 of the 3 but the 3rd could be a biggie.

 

[Jason Wood]

They won't get him. Cleveland will. They have the need, the money and Bentley wants to come home to the Brownies.

The Eagles don't have the need or the money?

RR you are missing one of the key points, namely that he wants to come home to Cleveland. Philly may have 2 of the 3 but the 3rd could be a biggie.

Hey Chaos...just to be clear, are you suggesting these reports are completely erroneous?

 

[scratcher]

Not a good idea. They'd have to give up too much to move up IMO.

Yea. Not likely but I can dream...

 

[Aaron Rudnicki]

isn't it illegel to negotiate with free agents before the beginning of free agency? how could this be a "done deal" already?

 

[Jason Wood]

isn't it illegel to negotiate with free agents before the beginning of free agency? how could this be a "done deal" already?

Happens every year...But, nothing is "done" until the contract is signed. Remember that Winfield was ready to be a Jet but they made the cardinal sin of allowing him to leave town without a contract and ended up a Viking.

 

[Aaron Rudnicki]

isn't it illegel to negotiate with free agents before the beginning of free agency? how could this be a "done deal" already?

Happens every year...But, nothing is "done" until the contract is signed. Remember that Winfield was ready to be a Jet but they made the cardinal sin of allowing him to leave town without a contract and ended up a Viking.

I thought players and their agents normally get phone calls at midnight when free agency opens and deals are struck right away. If there were ongoing negotiations ahead of time, couldn't someone file a tampering claim against the Eagles?

 

[ChampBailey24]

No one has any proofs...

 

[Jason Wood]

isn't it illegel to negotiate with free agents before the beginning of free agency? how could this be a "done deal" already?

Happens every year...But, nothing is "done" until the contract is signed. Remember that Winfield was ready to be a Jet but they made the cardinal sin of allowing him to leave town without a contract and ended up a Viking.

I thought players and their agents normally get phone calls at midnight when free agency opens and deals are struck right away. If there were ongoing negotiations ahead of time, couldn't someone file a tampering claim against the Eagles?

Sure, but that would be awfully hard to prove. There's nothing wrong with scheduling visits, and for all we know that's all that's "really" happened to this point. Since free agency was supposed to start today, Bentley and his agents would've already had flights booked for their first visit, which appears to have been Philly.Any speculation beyond that [the article isn't from an Eagles employee, it's from a beat writer citing an unnamed source] could easily be discredited as "mere speculation." whether there was truth or not.

Again, this is something that happens each and every offseason. Does anyone honestly think the Redskins didn't have a STRONG indication that Cornelius Griffin wanted to sign when they fired up the private jet at 12:01 a few years ago?

 

[Jeff Pasquino]

Also, this validates the reports that the Eagles are going to come out guns blazing in FA.

They are going to be a great team to get good SB odds in Vegas... at least early.

From your lips to God's ears.... but I hope the line doesn't move too fast.....

 

[Aaron Rudnicki]

to cheaters like the Eagles

 

[BigTex]

isn't it illegel to negotiate with free agents before the beginning of free agency? how could this be a "done deal" already?

Happens every year...But, nothing is "done" until the contract is signed. Remember that Winfield was ready to be a Jet but they made the cardinal sin of allowing him to leave town without a contract and ended up a Viking.

I thought players and their agents normally get phone calls at midnight when free agency opens and deals are struck right away. If there were ongoing negotiations ahead of time, couldn't someone file a tampering claim against the Eagles?

If he was set to sign the contract that tells me that he was contacted by the organization and negotiations were being discussed.

 

[Jeff Pasquino]

to cheaters like the Eagles

 

[Chaos]

They won't get him. Cleveland will. They have the need, the money and Bentley wants to come home to the Brownies.

The Eagles don't have the need or the money?

RR you are missing one of the key points, namely that he wants to come home to Cleveland. Philly may have 2 of the 3 but the 3rd could be a biggie.

Hey Chaos...just to be clear, are you suggesting these reports are completely erroneous?

I don't know about completely erroneous, but Bentley was on the record for saying that he wanted to get back to Cleveland when he knew the Saints weren't tagging him. So considering that Cleveland wants him and has lots of cash, I find it very hard to beleive that he would simply forgo that possibility without so much as a meeting. If Cleveland means nothing, logic would at least say that he meets with them to drive his price up before signing with another team.

 

[Jason Wood]

They won't get him. Cleveland will. They have the need, the money and Bentley wants to come home to the Brownies.

The Eagles don't have the need or the money?

RR you are missing one of the key points, namely that he wants to come home to Cleveland. Philly may have 2 of the 3 but the 3rd could be a biggie.

Hey Chaos...just to be clear, are you suggesting these reports are completely erroneous?

I don't know about completely erroneous, but Bentley was on the record for saying that he wanted to get back to Cleveland when he knew the Saints weren't tagging him. So considering that Cleveland wants him and has lots of cash, I find it very hard to beleive that he would simply forgo that possibility without so much as a meeting. If Cleveland means nothing, logic would at least say that he meets with them to drive his price up before signing with another team.

Valid points. Ultimately I think Bentley has to decide between...Going Home + Big $$$

Winning Now + Big $$$

We'll see

 

[Chaos]

They won't get him. Cleveland will. They have the need, the money and Bentley wants to come home to the Brownies.

The Eagles don't have the need or the money?

RR you are missing one of the key points, namely that he wants to come home to Cleveland. Philly may have 2 of the 3 but the 3rd could be a biggie.

Hey Chaos...just to be clear, are you suggesting these reports are completely erroneous?

I don't know about completely erroneous, but Bentley was on the record for saying that he wanted to get back to Cleveland when he knew the Saints weren't tagging him. So considering that Cleveland wants him and has lots of cash, I find it very hard to beleive that he would simply forgo that possibility without so much as a meeting. If Cleveland means nothing, logic would at least say that he meets with them to drive his price up before signing with another team.

Valid points. Ultimately I think Bentley has to decide between...Going Home + Big $$$

Winning Now + Big $$$

We'll see

Win now in Philly? Weren't they 4th in their conference last year? Is it just me or don't they have some serious issues in Philly that need addressed before we talk about them winning now.(admittedly Cleveland has farther to improve but I like the direction that they are taking!!)

 

[Aaron Rudnicki]

They won't get him. Cleveland will. They have the need, the money and Bentley wants to come home to the Brownies.

The Eagles don't have the need or the money?

RR you are missing one of the key points, namely that he wants to come home to Cleveland. Philly may have 2 of the 3 but the 3rd could be a biggie.

Hey Chaos...just to be clear, are you suggesting these reports are completely erroneous?

I don't know about completely erroneous, but Bentley was on the record for saying that he wanted to get back to Cleveland when he knew the Saints weren't tagging him. So considering that Cleveland wants him and has lots of cash, I find it very hard to beleive that he would simply forgo that possibility without so much as a meeting. If Cleveland means nothing, logic would at least say that he meets with them to drive his price up before signing with another team.

Valid points. Ultimately I think Bentley has to decide between...Going Home + Big $$$

Winning Now + Big $$$

We'll see

the Eagles window may be closing...not even sure winning now is a valid selling point

 

[Jason Wood]

They won't get him. Cleveland will. They have the need, the money and Bentley wants to come home to the Brownies.

The Eagles don't have the need or the money?

RR you are missing one of the key points, namely that he wants to come home to Cleveland. Philly may have 2 of the 3 but the 3rd could be a biggie.

Hey Chaos...just to be clear, are you suggesting these reports are completely erroneous?

I don't know about completely erroneous, but Bentley was on the record for saying that he wanted to get back to Cleveland when he knew the Saints weren't tagging him. So considering that Cleveland wants him and has lots of cash, I find it very hard to beleive that he would simply forgo that possibility without so much as a meeting. If Cleveland means nothing, logic would at least say that he meets with them to drive his price up before signing with another team.

Valid points. Ultimately I think Bentley has to decide between...Going Home + Big $$$

Winning Now + Big $$$

We'll see

the Eagles window may be closing...not even sure winning now is a valid selling point

LOL...right, one 6-10 season whereby the team is decimated by injury and deals with the TO fiasco = closing window? Are we forgetting the Eagles were the NFC favorites to win the SB entering last season? And they managed to win 11, 11, 12 and 12 games in the four seasons prior to TO coming aboard?