Eagles do NOT sign LeCharles Bentley (1 Viewer)

[Lehigh98]

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

I've been hearing that for like 3 years, how tall is this ####### window?

 

[Bushead]

Well he is sticking to his story...

http://www.philly.com/mld/philly/sports/fo...ll/14026598.htm

If free agency ever starts, Birds plan to sign Bentley

By Bob Brookover

Inquirer Staff Writer

At some point, the Eagles actually will begin signing free agents. The NFL delayed the start of free agency for another 72 hours last night, pushing it back to Thursday at 12:01 a.m.

Free agency was supposed to start this past Friday, but it was delayed until today in order to give the NFL owners and the players' association another chance to strike a deal on a new collective-bargaining agreement that would have increased this year's salary cap by nearly $10 million.

It was delayed again last night.

Talks failed, so teams will work under a cap of $94.5 million this season.

All indications remained that the Eagles planned to strike a quick deal with unrestricted free agent LeCharles Bentley despite a denial by the New Orleans Saints center over the weekend.

After a source close to the center said Thursday that Bentley planned to join the Eagles once the free-agent period opened, he denied The Inquirer's report in the New Orleans Times-Picayune. He did not deny, however, that he had no plans to return to the Saints.

"I would rather sit out a season than play for the Saints again," Bentley told CBSSportsline.com.

Bentley, considered by many to be the best center in the NFL, also addressed a question about missing the Saints' final two games of the 2005 season with an elbow injury.

According to a report on

CBSSportsline.com, he angered some of his teammates and some members of the Saints' organization with that decision because they felt he was protecting himself for free agency.

"That's why they're the Saints," Bentley said. "That isn't true. If anyone in that organization has any questions about whether I gave everything I had while I was there, then they can go to hell."

According to Comcast SportsNet, the Eagles are also going to make quick moves to sign Jeff Garcia as a backup quarterback to Donovan McNabb and Shawn Barber as an outside linebacker.

Signing Garcia would be an interesting move because it would briefly make him teammates again with wide receiver Terrell Owens. Those two combined for some outstanding seasons with San Francisco before going through a public separation that was even more ugly than Owens' divorce from quarterback Donovan McNabb and the Eagles.

If Owens is not traded by Saturday, the Eagles plan to release him before they have to pay him a $5 million roster bonus.

Garcia, 36, spent five seasons as the starting quarterback in San Francisco and one as a starter in Cleveland before going to Detroit last season. He started five games and played in six for the Lions, throwing three touchdown passes and six interceptions. He would replace Mike McMahon as the Eagles' No. 2 quarterback.

Barber, 31, had one of the best seasons of his career as the Eagles' weakside linebacker in 2002, then signed with Kansas City and had his best season with the Chiefs in 2003. Injuries, however, have limited him to just 11 games the last two years. He played in just three games last season because of a hamstring injury.

The Eagles also have interest in Pittsburgh receiver Antwaan Randle-El, but he was expected to field offers from a number of teams.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Contact staff writer Bob Brookover at 215-854-2577 or bbrookover@phillynews.com.

 

[Maurile Tremblay]

"The Chargers are believed to be interested in free-agent center LeCharles Bentley, who played for New Orleans last season and would likely move to guard here." -- March 9 article in SD Union-Trib.

 

[wadegarrett]

Why would Bentley jump into bed with the first team to make him an offer?

 

[slinky]

Why would Bentley jump into bed with the first team to make him an offer?

Whether it's Philly, Cleveland, or where-ever...it doesn't make sense. Isn't it better to have multiple teams bidding on your services rather than jump to the first one to offer you something?

 

[Jason Wood]

Why would Bentley jump into bed with the first team to make him an offer?

Conceptually you're absolutely right. But in practice it's a far different situation. As we've discussed these last few days, the free agency period really begins in earnest weeks ago. Agents get their ducks in a row, get a sense of the market [who else is out there, who has cap room], and start figuring out the best fits for their free agents. We'll have to see if Bentley, in fact, visits other teams. He's a premier free agent so he has a lot less fear of missing the boat by taking a few days versus some of the elder statesmen who want to run out and grab the $$$ while they're available.

But free agents often go to the team they're most interested in signing with first and, if the offer is right, put their name on the dotted line. Bentley knows that the Eagles a) have a ton of money, b) have world class facilities, and c) are contenders with a very good offensive coach. That might be enough depending on who else is knocking on his door.

 

[Chaos]

Why would Bentley jump into bed with the first team to make him an offer?

Conceptually you're absolutely right. But in practice it's a far different situation. As we've discussed these last few days, the free agency period really begins in earnest weeks ago. Agents get their ducks in a row, get a sense of the market [who else is out there, who has cap room], and start figuring out the best fits for their free agents. We'll have to see if Bentley, in fact, visits other teams. He's a premier free agent so he has a lot less fear of missing the boat by taking a few days versus some of the elder statesmen who want to run out and grab the $$$ while they're available.

But free agents often go to the team they're most interested in signing with first and, if the offer is right, put their name on the dotted line. Bentley knows that the Eagles a) have a ton of money, b) have world class facilities, and c) are contenders with a very good offensive coach. That might be enough depending on who else is knocking on his door.

Doesn't the who has cap room part of your assertion change now with the new CBA?I would think that teams they talked to before might be able to pony up more now with the increased CAP number.

Just my $0.02 but this has never smelled quite right to me from the start.

 

[wadegarrett]

Why would Bentley jump into bed with the first team to make him an offer?

Conceptually you're absolutely right. But in practice it's a far different situation. As we've discussed these last few days, the free agency period really begins in earnest weeks ago. Agents get their ducks in a row, get a sense of the market [who else is out there, who has cap room], and start figuring out the best fits for their free agents. We'll have to see if Bentley, in fact, visits other teams. He's a premier free agent so he has a lot less fear of missing the boat by taking a few days versus some of the elder statesmen who want to run out and grab the $$$ while they're available.

But free agents often go to the team they're most interested in signing with first and, if the offer is right, put their name on the dotted line. Bentley knows that the Eagles a) have a ton of money, b) have world class facilities, and c) are contenders with a very good offensive coach. That might be enough depending on who else is knocking on his door.

Understand that. He also knows that the Browns a) have a ton of money, b) have world class facilities, and c) are conte...Well, two of out three isn't bad but...

Cleveland is his home. I just have a hard time believing he wouldn't at least talk to the Browns (or anyone else) before signing with someone.

 

[gump]

Doesn't the who has cap room part of your assertion change now with the new CBA?

I would think that teams they talked to before might be able to pony up more now with the increased CAP number.

I agree. How about a team like the Bucs? No cap room last week...now they can reportedly sign whoever they want. They also play in a great location (tax free Florida), are building world-class facilities, are contenders with a great offensive coach, and most importantly have been very vocal about making OL a priority this offseason.I would test the waters more if I were Bentley.

 

[tommyGunZ]

nj.com reporting Bentley to Philly is a done deal.

http://www.nj.com/eagles/times/index.ssf?/...1510.xml&coll=5

 

[beachbum]

great signing

 

[Please See Mine]

nj.com reporting Bentley to Philly is a done deal.

http://www.nj.com/eagles/times/index.ssf?/...1510.xml&coll=5

This looks good. Mark Eckel is a pretty reliable source.

 

[Shermanator]

nj.com reporting Bentley to Philly is a done deal. 

http://www.nj.com/eagles/times/index.ssf?/...1510.xml&coll=5

This looks good. Mark Eckel is a pretty reliable source.

Agreed. Eckel is a good source.GREAT SIGNING

 

[Jason Wood]

And here I thought he really wanted to go home to Cleveland.

 

[JAA]

wow

All the terms of Bentley's deal are not known, but according to the source he will earn a guaranteed $17.5 million over the first three years of the contract. More than half of that money will come in either a signing bonus, a roster bonus or a combination of both. Bentley, a 2002 second-round pick (No. 44 overall) of New Orleans, just completed a four-year deal with the Saints that paid him a total of just around $3 million and included a $1.55 million signing bonus.

 

[Jason Wood]

wow

All the terms of Bentley's deal are not known, but according to the source he will earn a guaranteed $17.5 million over the first three years of the contract. More than half of that money will come in either a signing bonus, a roster bonus or a combination of both.

Bentley, a 2002 second-round pick (No. 44 overall) of New Orleans, just completed a four-year deal with the Saints that paid him a total of just around $3 million and included a $1.55 million signing bonus.

This really shouldn't be a surprise to anyone; much like when the Eagles went out in free agency and paid Kearse and TO big money upfront. People kept asking why Bentley would sign with the Eagles instead of visiting a bunch of teams; but the Eagles maintain such a solid cap situation year in, year out they can make it virtually impossible for other suitors to match their offers when they really zero in on a player.

 

[Chaos]

And here I thought he really wanted to go home to Cleveland.

haha, we can always hope can't we Wood?

 

[Mcnabbfan]

Report on Sirius NFL radio from Bentley's agent, Bentley signed with the CLeveland Browns for 6 million a year and a 12 million signing bonus

 

[JAA]

wow

All the terms of Bentley's deal are not known, but according to the source he will earn a guaranteed $17.5 million over the first three years of the contract. More than half of that money will come in either a signing bonus, a roster bonus or a combination of both.

Bentley, a 2002 second-round pick (No. 44 overall) of New Orleans, just completed a four-year deal with the Saints that paid him a total of just around $3 million and included a $1.55 million signing bonus.

This really shouldn't be a surprise to anyone; much like when the Eagles went out in free agency and paid Kearse and TO big money upfront. People kept asking why Bentley would sign with the Eagles instead of visiting a bunch of teams; but the Eagles maintain such a solid cap situation year in, year out they can make it virtually impossible for other suitors to match their offers when they really zero in on a player.

Well, I guess I should have been more specific. He played his entire rookie 4 year contract. He must have really wanted to get out of NO instead of renegotating last year.

 

[TCFF]

Report on Sirius NFL radio from Bentley's agent, Bentley signed with the CLeveland Browns for 6 million a year and a 12 million signing bonus

What?

 

[TCFF]

Oh, the CLeveland Browns, Didn't they sign GIvens?

 

[Chaos]

If True, Wood must eat his Crow!

 

[Yao Ming]

Eagles fan's haha. Looks like the clock struck 12 for little Cinderalla. Not even free agents want to go to Philly, preferring instead to head to Cleveland these days.

 

[scratcher]

If true, this is freakin depressing. According to rumors on the philly site, Bentley's visit was postponed because a doctor wasn't available. As a result, Bentley decided to visit the Browns to see what they had to offer. If this is the case, then the philly front office is ######ed.

 

[acefootball]

Eagles fan's haha. Looks like the clock struck 12 for little Cinderalla. Not even free agents want to go to Philly, preferring instead to head to Cleveland these days.

 

[TCFF]

This is not good news for the birds. The Eagles website is reporting to expect no real news on the first Saturday of Free Agency.

 

[cracKer]

Eagles fan's haha. Looks like the clock struck 12 for little Cinderalla. Not even free agents want to go to Philly, preferring instead to head to Cleveland these days.

Yep, I'm almost certain that there was nothing else here outside of him wanting to play in Cleveland rather than Philly.

 

[diesel7982]

And here I thought he really wanted to go home to Cleveland.

 

[Yao Ming]

Eagles fan's haha.  Looks like the clock struck 12 for little Cinderalla.  Not even free agents want to go to Philly, preferring instead to head to Cleveland these days.

Yep, I'm almost certain that there was nothing else here outside of him wanting to play in Cleveland rather than Philly.

 

[Bri]

Eagles better get some blockers

 

[Jason Wood]

If True, Wood must eat his Crow!

Eating crow indeed... Very depressing to have thought it a done deal and now to be faced with neither Bentley or Mawae most likely.

 

[JAA]

Everyone remember who our only FA signing was last season?!?!

 

[gildawg]

ESPN Reports Browns add Bentley and Shaffer

As a Browns fan....Holy Earmuffin Yes!!!

 

[Sea Bass]

Are there any reports that we can trust?

False reports are becoming more common place than the truth.

 

[scratcher]

With months left before football season starts, Eagles have started dissappointing me already... their incompetence is amazing. they better have some other amazing FA acquisitions or else i'm seriously doubting my desire to watch them next year...

 

[Jason Wood]

Are there any reports that we can trust?

False reports are becoming more common place than the truth.

I think what we're seeing are beat writers feeling the pinch of the Internet, ESPN News, NFL Network, etc...Literally by the time most diehard NFL fans open up tomorrow's paper, they'll have already heard about all the team signings and meetings three ways to Sunday [i.e., on a forum like this, on a fansite, on ESPN, on Total Access, etc...].

I also think, this year's labor situation screwed things up. Logically, it seems as though Bentley and his agent DID have a deal in place with the Eagles. But the continous extension of the free agency start AND [more importantly], the upped salary cap allowed the Browns to get back into the game. Kudos to the Browns for not giving up on a guy who obviously does value the home town connection a bit more than I estimated.

 

[Mcnabbfan]

Everyone remember who our only FA signing was last season?!?!

Mike, @%%#, McMahon, what a great free agency run.

 

[Jason Wood]

The idea of Jeff Garcia and Shawn Barber being our big splash when we, once again, have as much $$$ to spend as almost anyone is VERY VERY depressing.

I'm hoping we move quickly on someone of Mawae's ilk and also approach Runyan about re-signing [which NFL Network suggested was in the offing today, but in all fairness, that's the first I heard of it].

 

[GroveDiesel]

Are there any reports that we can trust?

False reports are becoming more common place than the truth.

I think what we're seeing are beat writers feeling the pinch of the Internet, ESPN News, NFL Network, etc...Literally by the time most diehard NFL fans open up tomorrow's paper, they'll have already heard about all the team signings and meetings three ways to Sunday [i.e., on a forum like this, on a fansite, on ESPN, on Total Access, etc...].

I also think, this year's labor situation screwed things up. Logically, it seems as though Bentley and his agent DID have a deal in place with the Eagles. But the continous extension of the free agency start AND [more importantly], the upped salary cap allowed the Browns to get back into the game. Kudos to the Browns for not giving up on a guy who obviously does value the home town connection a bit more than I estimated.

I don't know. How do you know the Browns didn't just offer him more money? The Browns had slightly more money under the cap according to ESPN and since the Eagles have shown a reluctance to spend up to the cap anyway, it's very possible that the Browns simply offered him a larger contract. Throw in playing for the "hometown" team and it would be a pretty easy decision for a lot of guys.

 

[cowboyz]

i hope mawae has loyalty to parcells and signs with big d

 

[diesel7982]

Are there any reports that we can trust?

False reports are becoming more common place than the truth.

I think what we're seeing are beat writers feeling the pinch of the Internet, ESPN News, NFL Network, etc...

Wouldnt it be nice if there was a website out there that reported facts as facts and rumors as rumors?

 

[Aaron Rudnicki]

"Ouch."

 

[Aaron Rudnicki]

And here I thought he really wanted to go home to Cleveland.

 

[GRIDIRON ASSASSIN]

Have the cut T.O. yet?

 

[Aaron Rudnicki]

Eagles | Team to sign Schobel

Sat, 11 Mar 2006 11:25:25 -0800

Mark Curnutte, of the Cincinnati Enquirer, reports a source told the Enquirer free agent TE Matt Schobel (Bengals) will sign an undisclosed contract with the Philadelphia Eagles. Schobel played four seasons with the Bengals.

 

[20633]

Eagles | Team to sign Schobel

Sat, 11 Mar 2006 11:25:25 -0800

Mark Curnutte, of the Cincinnati Enquirer, reports a source told the Enquirer free agent TE Matt Schobel (Bengals) will sign an undisclosed contract with the Philadelphia Eagles. Schobel played four seasons with the Bengals.

Schobel. Bentley. Same difference, right?

 

[TCFF]

I don't understand why the Eagles seem content to drag their feet in free agency. I wish that they had gotten Bentley, but with the kind of money the Brownies ponied up the Eagles weren't going to meet that. One of the other items in the false Bentely article is that the Eagles are content to wait and see what the market is for Mike Anderson. This could be a big mistake as he would be the perfect complement to Westbrook. Hopefully messing up this Bentley thing will get them to resign Runyan and make a run for Mawae for about the same price as both of these guys are older. I'd also love to see us sign David Givens, but it seems there is so much interest in him that the price will get to be more than Philly will pay. So what is the use of being good at working the salary cap if your never willing to spend the money?

 

[Stillers Jr.]

Fly Iggles Fly!!!!

 

[PizzaDeliveryGuy]

 

[Jeff Pasquino]

I don't understand why the Eagles seem content to drag their feet in free agency. I wish that they had gotten Bentley, but with the kind of money the Brownies ponied up the Eagles weren't going to meet that. One of the other items in the false Bentely article is that the Eagles are content to wait and see what the market is for Mike Anderson. This could be a big mistake as he would be the perfect complement to Westbrook. Hopefully messing up this Bentley thing will get them to resign Runyan and make a run for Mawae for about the same price as both of these guys are older. I'd also love to see us sign David Givens, but it seems there is so much interest in him that the price will get to be more than Philly will pay. So what is the use of being good at working the salary cap if your never willing to spend the money?

Today was a disappointment with Bentley , but you can't blame a top free agent going home AND getting paid. Cleveland is making BIG moves and could actually make a run - it will come down to Fry on the offense (and if KW2 can not break himself again).

I don't get the Schobel signing - sorry. If the Eagles wanted to increase depth behind LJ Smith, there were better options out there in both FA and the draft.

I'm 100% on board with getting Givens and also Mike Anderson.

The lines, O and D, remain questions.

Also heard that Julian Peterson (SF LB) was a possibility for Philly today (Sirius radio).