The Broncos, the Eagles and Ashley Lelie (1 Viewer)

[Kilroy's_Been_Here_B4]

Since the draft, it's been known that the Eagles have had some interest in Ashley Lelie. It's now been nearly 3 months since than and the Eagles still have an interest in him. If Todd Pinkston were able to play, Lelie may not be too high on the Eagles wish list. Unfortunetly for Pinkston and the team, he's having a difficult time returning from his injury last year.

He missed all of last season with a torn achilles tendon. Early in this years camp he suffered an injury to the achilles on his other foot. Now it's reported that both of his achilles are sore. He tried practicing today, but in the footage of him shown on TV tonight, he can't even run. He can walk around, but it's obvious he is experiencing pain in his achilles' when he tries to run, and that was just in a straight line. In the footage shown, he couldn't go more than 3-4 steps into a sprint before having to let up due to the injuries. If Pinkston isn't able to play--and at this point the Birds can't rely on him anyway--the Eagles will definetly need to trade for, or sign via free agency, a veteran WR.

Lelie would fit nicely into the Eagles receiving core. Pinkston's best attribute was his ability to beat defenders down the field with his speed and Lelie could fill that role perfectly. As most know, it would also be considered a significant upgrade over Pinkston wether he was healhty or not.

We know Lelie wants to be traded and that the Broncos are willing to deal him, but what's the price tag? Howard Eskin (local reporter with good connections to the Eagles) was saying there is no chance the Eagles will trade a 2nd rounder for Lelie, but he also alluded to that being in part due to the fact that Lelie is a free agent at the end of the year. If the Eagles could work out a new deal with him, maybe they'd offer that 2nd round pick. If that doesn't happen, maybe they'd offer a 3rd, but would the Broncos trade him for a three?

I'm not sure what other teams are really in the mix to acquire Lelie, but the Eagles seem to be the only team I've heard mentioned often in regards to him. Anyone (perhaps those in the Denver area) have more info on the situation? Has anything been speculated about what their asking price is and/or what other teams may actively persue trading for him? If the Broncos are willing to deal him for a 3rd, Philadelphia seems like they might be the ideal situation for him.

 

[The Man With No Name]

They signed Jabar Gaffney this offseason. He may not be a speedster, but he does have very good hands and knows how to run a pattern.

 

[diesel7982]

They signed Jabar Gaffney this offseason. He may not be a speedster, but he does have very good hands and knows how to run a pattern.

And carry a gun.

 

[SSOG]

The usual suspects I hear mentioned as possible trade partners for Lelie are New England, San Francisco, Atlanta, and Chicago. I know that Atlanta offered Ducket straight up, but Denver declined. I know that Denver asked for Thomas Jones straight up, and Chicago declined. I know that, on draft day, Denver was trying to move Lelie to... Tampa, iirc... for a 3rd rounder, but Tampa declined.

Whether Denver will move Lelie for a 3rd... no, probably not for a 3rd next year. Generally, future picks are discounted, so next year's 3rd rounder would be like this year's 4th rounder.

Denver has repeatedly said that the asking price for Lelie would be a quality RB or TE, a draft pick (either first day or top-2 rounds, depending on the source), or a front-line starter.

You now know everything I do about the Lelie trade situation.

 

[Kilroy's_Been_Here_B4]

You now know everything I do about the Lelie trade situation.

Thanks. That's more than I knew before. I know the Eagles are interested, but I'm not sure what they're willing to give up and what the Broncos would accept.Unfortunetly, the one thing I do know is that the Eagles don't have any quality RBs or TEs that they could offer the Broncos.

I'm hoping a 3rd in 2007 would be enough, but I'm not even sure the Eagles would offer that. They may wait and see how the preseason unfolds before deciding if they'd part with the 3rd.

 

[cracKer]

Lelie for Trent Cole. Consider it a done deal

Honestly thogh Denver needs to search out a team with an abundance along the defensive line and try to work out a deal there. Sending a third round pick for Ashlie Lelie would likely bring a battery shower in Philadelphia.

 

[Kilroy's_Been_Here_B4]

Lelie for Trent Cole. Consider it a done deal

Honestly thogh Denver needs to search out a team with an abundance along the defensive line and try to work out a deal there. Sending a third round pick for Ashlie Lelie would likely bring a battery shower in Philadelphia.

Actually, the DL is an area the Eagles have a lot of depth at, but I don't see them trading Cole to anyone. He had an impressive rookie season last year and they expect more from him this season. As an Eagles fan, I wouldn't want to trade him either, even if it was for Lelie.Maybe the Broncos would take Jerome McDougle off are hands for him.

 

[T Man]

They signed Jabar Gaffney this offseason. He may not be a speedster, but he does have very good hands and knows how to run a pattern.

THis makes him a slot WR or the backup to Reggie BRown. THey need speed to stretch the field and opent it up for Brown

 

[MLBrandow]

Lelie for McDougle would be interesting...

 

[Polish Hammer]

I'd be surprised if Reid and company decide to not only bring in another malcontent WR, but to bring in one that is (seemingly) one dimensional, and to give up players/picks in the process.

 

[apkballa]

I think the broncos look to go after offense if they trade lelie.

 

[Sopranos]

I dont Like Lelie as a NFL WR. Not even for a 3rd..He isnt an upgrade of the junk they have behind Brown. Let him rot in Denver...

 

[JAA]

The usual suspects I hear mentioned as possible trade partners for Lelie are New England, San Francisco, Atlanta, and Chicago. I know that Atlanta offered Ducket straight up, but Denver declined. I know that Denver asked for Thomas Jones straight up, and Chicago declined. I know that, on draft day, Denver was trying to move Lelie to... Tampa, iirc... for a 3rd rounder, but Tampa declined.

 

[chocolate bomber]

Lelie for McDougle would be interesting...

THAT IS NOT HAPPENING. Lelie=Pinkston minus knowledge of the playbook AND he's being a #####. No chance.

 

[zadok]

Lelie for McDougle would be interesting...

NO NO NO it would not!

 

[zadok]

Lelie for McDougle would be interesting...

THAT IS NOT HAPPENING. Lelie=Pinkston minus knowledge of the playbook AND he's being a #####. No chance.

Thank you.

 

[zadok]

Maybe the Broncos would take Jerome McDougle off are hands for him.

 

[Sinrman]

This would be good for everyone involved, methinks. Lelie would finally be out of Denver's hair, and they can move on, plus get a LITTLE something for him, at least.

Philly will pick up WR with perhaps a LITTLE promise. Heck, their WRs as a group are pretty lackluster. Why not give someone else a shot?

 

[redman]

Such a move really isn't Philly's style, particularly at this point of the year. If they'd wanted Lelie, they'd have made this deal happen long before now. As usual, though, they like their young guys and want to stick with them.

If Lelie moves at this late date, I have to think he'll go to a team with new WR problems, like Atlanta with Finneran now lost.

 

[SSOG]

The usual suspects I hear mentioned as possible trade partners for Lelie are New England, San Francisco, Atlanta, and Chicago. I know that Atlanta offered Ducket straight up, but Denver declined. I know that Denver asked for Thomas Jones straight up, and Chicago declined. I know that, on draft day, Denver was trying to move Lelie to... Tampa, iirc... for a 3rd rounder, but Tampa declined.

From an article right after the draft.

The Kansas City Chiefs and Tampa Bay Buccaneers were thought to be the two most ardent in their pursuit of Lelie, for whom Denver wanted a second-round pick.

http://www.denverpost.com/search/ci_3916009

The Broncos entertained trade offers for Lelie during the April draft, but Houston wouldn't give up its fourth-round draft choice, and Denver declined the Atlanta Falcons' proposed swap of backup running back T.J. Duckett.

Can't find the one where Tampa wouldn't give up a 3rd rounder. I'll keep looking for a bit.

 

[LHUCKS]

Adam S. confirming on NFL network that Eagles will make a major play for Lelie in the coming days.

 

[redman]

Adam S. confirming on NFL network that Eagles will make a major play for Lelie in the coming days.

Wow, Pinkston must be really hobbled. Like I said, this type of move is not really Philly's style.

 

[SSOG]

Adam S. confirming on NFL network that Eagles will make a major play for Lelie in the coming days.

Wow, Pinkston must be really hobbled. Like I said, this type of move is not really Philly's style.

Yeah, Philly's NEVER been the sort of team to get so fed up with its WR situation that it traded for a disgruntled WR with attitude issues.

 

[BusMan]

Adam S. confirming on NFL network that Eagles will make a major play for Lelie in the coming days.

Wow, Pinkston must be really hobbled. Like I said, this type of move is not really Philly's style.

Yeah, Philly's NEVER been the sort of team to get so fed up with its WR situation that it traded for a disgruntled WR with attitude issues.

Well said SSOG. So who can us Broncos' fans start licking our lips about?

 

[redman]

Adam S. confirming on NFL network that Eagles will make a major play for Lelie in the coming days.

Wow, Pinkston must be really hobbled. Like I said, this type of move is not really Philly's style.

Yeah, Philly's NEVER been the sort of team to get so fed up with its WR situation that it traded for a disgruntled WR with attitude issues.

Besides the one famous exception that occurred at the beginning of the offseason, can you think of any others in the last 10 years? I can't.

 

[zadok]

Adam S. confirming on NFL network that Eagles will make a major play for Lelie in the coming days.

He didn't "confirm" anything. Just added to the speculation. No sources were cited.

This would be good for everyone involved, methinks. Lelie would finally be out of Denver's hair, and they can move on, plus get a LITTLE something for him, at least.Philly will pick up WR with perhaps a LITTLE promise. Heck, their WRs as a group are pretty lackluster. Why not give someone else a shot?

How do we know they are lackluster? Avant, Baskett, Bloom and Gaffney have never played a game in an Eagles uniform yet. And Reggie Brown has TONS of promise.

 

[mrspree15]

This would be good for everyone involved, methinks. Lelie would finally be out of Denver's hair, and they can move on, plus get a LITTLE something for him, at least.Philly will pick up WR with perhaps a LITTLE promise. Heck, their WRs as a group are pretty lackluster. Why not give someone else a shot?

How do we know they are lackluster? Avant, Baskett, Bloom and Gaffney have never played a game in an Eagles uniform yet. And Reggie Brown has TONS of promise.

2 late round picks, an undrafted free agent, and a guy whos career so far has been the definition of lackluster. No, we don't know for sure that they are lackluster, but I don't see how you could bet on anything else. Hopefully, Reggie Brown improves and becomes a threat, he does have promise.

 

[SSOG]

Besides the one famous exception that occurred at the beginning of the offseason, can you think of any others in the last 10 years? I can't.

How many disgruntled WRs have been traded in the last 10 years? I bet 20 teams could make the claim that they haven't accepted *ANY* in that span, so the fact that the Eagles can say that, with one exception, they haven't traded for any disgruntled WRs in the last decade isn't really that impressive.Short list of disgruntled WRs that I can think of that have been traded in the last decade... Terrell Owens, Quincy Morgan, Antonio Bryant. Randy Moss wasn't disgruntled (his franchise was). Peerless Price left on good terms. I'm sure I'm missing a lot, but it's not a very long list- and the Eagles have just as much history of trading for other people's problems at WR as any other team in the league (and more than most).

 

[Lightning Fast Whip]

Besides the one famous exception that occurred at the beginning of the offseason, can you think of any others in the last 10 years? I can't.

How many disgruntled WRs have been traded in the last 10 years? I bet 20 teams could make the claim that they haven't accepted *ANY* in that span, so the fact that the Eagles can say that, with one exception, they haven't traded for any disgruntled WRs in the last decade isn't really that impressive.Short list of disgruntled WRs that I can think of that have been traded in the last decade... Terrell Owens, Quincy Morgan, Antonio Bryant. Randy Moss wasn't disgruntled (his franchise was). Peerless Price left on good terms. I'm sure I'm missing a lot, but it's not a very long list- and the Eagles have just as much history of trading for other people's problems at WR as any other team in the league (and more than most).

Add both Tampa SB WRs Keenan and Keyshawn. Galloway too

 

[Trig2U]

What with his raw speed and hot-shot reputation coming out of that high-powered June Jones offense at Hawaii, I was pretty high on Lelie when he first came into the league, so obviously I've been burned by the guy before.

Still, it seems to me that if he does end up in Philly the change could do him a helluva lot of good, and he'd have a decent chance to make his mark. I mean, it's not like the Eagles have Swann and Stallworth out there as their receiving corps, so Lelie should be able to compete with the likes of Reggie Brown, Gaffney etc; and if he develops some chemistry with McNabb he could see a lot of targets.

 

[cstu]

Aren't WR's always disgruntled when they are traded? That's the nature of the beast.

 

[cstu]

What with his raw speed and hot-shot reputation coming out of that high-powered June Jones offense at Hawaii, I was pretty high on Lelie when he first came into the league, so obviously I've been burned by the guy before.Still, it seems to me that if he does end up in Philly the change could do him a helluva lot of good, and he'd have a decent chance to make his mark. I mean, it's not like the Eagles have Swann and Stallworth out there as their receiving corps, so Lelie should be able to compete with the likes of Reggie Brown, Gaffney etc; and if he develops some chemistry with McNabb he could see a lot of targets.

A starting lineup of Brown and Lelie would be better than Brown and any of the other WR scrubs they have (not saying they couldn't develop, but right now none of those should be starters).

 

[SSOG]

Besides the one famous exception that occurred at the beginning of the offseason, can you think of any others in the last 10 years? I can't.

How many disgruntled WRs have been traded in the last 10 years? I bet 20 teams could make the claim that they haven't accepted *ANY* in that span, so the fact that the Eagles can say that, with one exception, they haven't traded for any disgruntled WRs in the last decade isn't really that impressive.Short list of disgruntled WRs that I can think of that have been traded in the last decade... Terrell Owens, Quincy Morgan, Antonio Bryant. Randy Moss wasn't disgruntled (his franchise was). Peerless Price left on good terms. I'm sure I'm missing a lot, but it's not a very long list- and the Eagles have just as much history of trading for other people's problems at WR as any other team in the league (and more than most).

Add both Tampa SB WRs Keenan and Keyshawn. Galloway too

Good call on Keenan McCardell. Were Keyshawn and Galloway both traded? I forgot, and for some reason was thinking they were just free agents.

 

[SSOG]

Aren't WR's always disgruntled when they are traded? That's the nature of the beast.

Not really. I don't think Price was upset with Atlanta when he left, and I thought Minny unloading Moss was because Minny was sick of Moss, not because Moss was sick of Minny.

 

[JohnDoe]

Besides the one famous exception that occurred at the beginning of the offseason, can you think of any others in the last 10 years? I can't.

How many disgruntled WRs have been traded in the last 10 years? I bet 20 teams could make the claim that they haven't accepted *ANY* in that span, so the fact that the Eagles can say that, with one exception, they haven't traded for any disgruntled WRs in the last decade isn't really that impressive.Short list of disgruntled WRs that I can think of that have been traded in the last decade... Terrell Owens, Quincy Morgan, Antonio Bryant. Randy Moss wasn't disgruntled (his franchise was). Peerless Price left on good terms. I'm sure I'm missing a lot, but it's not a very long list- and the Eagles have just as much history of trading for other people's problems at WR as any other team in the league (and more than most).

Add both Tampa SB WRs Keenan and Keyshawn. Galloway too

Good call on Keenan McCardell. Were Keyshawn and Galloway both traded? I forgot, and for some reason was thinking they were just free agents.

Keyshawn and Galloway were traded for each other IIRC.

 

[JohnDoe]

Also, Galloway was traded from Seattle to Dallas for a draft pick after he held out for most of the prior season.

Meshawn was traded to Tampa Bay in 2000 for 2 first round draft choices (they turned out to be Sahun Ellis and Anthony Becht)

 

[JohnDoe]

Add Terry Glenn to this list also.

During the 2001 season, coach Bill Belichick benched him for the rest of the season due to off the field problems. Prior to the 2002 season, the Patriots traded Glenn to the Green Bay Packers in exchange for two fourth round draft picks.

Wikipedia

 

[suchislife]

Besides the one famous exception that occurred at the beginning of the offseason, can you think of any others in the last 10 years? I can't.

How many disgruntled WRs have been traded in the last 10 years? I bet 20 teams could make the claim that they haven't accepted *ANY* in that span, so the fact that the Eagles can say that, with one exception, they haven't traded for any disgruntled WRs in the last decade isn't really that impressive.Short list of disgruntled WRs that I can think of that have been traded in the last decade... Terrell Owens, Quincy Morgan, Antonio Bryant. Randy Moss wasn't disgruntled (his franchise was). Peerless Price left on good terms. I'm sure I'm missing a lot, but it's not a very long list- and the Eagles have just as much history of trading for other people's problems at WR as any other team in the league (and more than most).

So the Eagles traded for arguably the best WR in the game, giving up next to nothing, when the receiver said he wanted to play for them. And that translates to "the Eagles have a history of trading for disgruntled WRs". Lelie comes from a west coast offense (where he's spent his entire NFL career). If Pinkston really can't go or can't be relied on, I'll gladly take Lelie on the Eagles. Hell, he'd only have to learn the 2 plays Pinkston runs - "Go Deep" and "Look in at the QB and Be Ready at the Line of Scrimmage".

Don't expect Reid to offer though...probably nothing more than a 4th or *maybe* a 3rd round pick.

 

[SSOG]

Besides the one famous exception that occurred at the beginning of the offseason, can you think of any others in the last 10 years? I can't.

How many disgruntled WRs have been traded in the last 10 years? I bet 20 teams could make the claim that they haven't accepted *ANY* in that span, so the fact that the Eagles can say that, with one exception, they haven't traded for any disgruntled WRs in the last decade isn't really that impressive.Short list of disgruntled WRs that I can think of that have been traded in the last decade... Terrell Owens, Quincy Morgan, Antonio Bryant. Randy Moss wasn't disgruntled (his franchise was). Peerless Price left on good terms. I'm sure I'm missing a lot, but it's not a very long list- and the Eagles have just as much history of trading for other people's problems at WR as any other team in the league (and more than most).

So the Eagles traded for arguably the best WR in the game, giving up next to nothing, when the receiver said he wanted to play for them. And that translates to "the Eagles have a history of trading for disgruntled WRs". Lelie comes from a west coast offense (where he's spent his entire NFL career). If Pinkston really can't go or can't be relied on, I'll gladly take Lelie on the Eagles. Hell, he'd only have to learn the 2 plays Pinkston runs - "Go Deep" and "Look in at the QB and Be Ready at the Line of Scrimmage".

Don't expect Reid to offer though...probably nothing more than a 4th or *maybe* a 3rd round pick.

Ummm... yes. The talent of the receiver they traded for or the cost they spent for him doesn't change a thing. Philadelphia has PROVEN that it's willing to trade for disgruntled WRs. That whole "Philly's too good for the likes of a troublemaker like Lelie" arguement just doesn't fly with me.

 

[Polish Hammer]

Ummm... yes. The talent of the receiver they traded for or the cost they spent for him doesn't change a thing. Philadelphia has PROVEN that it's willing to trade for disgruntled WRs. That whole "Philly's too good for the likes of a troublemaker like Lelie" arguement just doesn't fly with me.

I don't think the Eagles are "too good" and I don't think that is what people are implying. I do think that what is meant is that the Eagles tried that route once (going with your assertion that TO was disgruntled). He was clearly one of the premier (if not THE premier) WRs in the league at the time. They got most of one season's worth of good production out of him, then it went really sour really fast. What makes you think they'd take the same gamble again (when they were burned once) on a WR that is arguably far less talented and far less of a sure thing? Do you not believe that the Eagles' front office looks at the TO experiment as a "lesson learned"?

 

[redman]

Besides the one famous exception that occurred at the beginning of the offseason, can you think of any others in the last 10 years? I can't.

How many disgruntled WRs have been traded in the last 10 years? I bet 20 teams could make the claim that they haven't accepted *ANY* in that span, so the fact that the Eagles can say that, with one exception, they haven't traded for any disgruntled WRs in the last decade isn't really that impressive.Short list of disgruntled WRs that I can think of that have been traded in the last decade... Terrell Owens, Quincy Morgan, Antonio Bryant. Randy Moss wasn't disgruntled (his franchise was). Peerless Price left on good terms. I'm sure I'm missing a lot, but it's not a very long list- and the Eagles have just as much history of trading for other people's problems at WR as any other team in the league (and more than most).

The Cowboys have done it twice in that time (Galloway & Owens), and maybe Glenn or Keyshawn would count too although I can't remember if they were FA signings. Anyway, you're nitpicking: the bottom line is that Philly is very conservative when it comes to trades as they tend to like to build using their draft picks. It's just interesting to me that they're (supposedly) leading the charge here.

 

[SSOG]

I don't think the Eagles are "too good" and I don't think that is what people are implying. I do think that what is meant is that the Eagles tried that route once (going with your assertion that TO was disgruntled). He was clearly one of the premier (if not THE premier) WRs in the league at the time. They got most of one season's worth of good production out of him, then it went really sour really fast. What makes you think they'd take the same gamble again (when they were burned once) on a WR that is arguably far less talented and far less of a sure thing? Do you not believe that the Eagles' front office looks at the TO experiment as a "lesson learned"?

Well, sure, Lelie is less of a talent than Owens... but he's less of a risk, too. He's never thrown a teammate under the bus. He's never yelled at a coordinator. He's never had a problem getting along, or been trouble in the locker room. All of his current teammates still like him and accept him and would take him back in a heartbeat if he showed up tomorrow.I still don't think it's that much of a surprise that Philly is one of the frontrunners. Andy Reid has demonstrated that he's willing to do what it takes to shore up positions of weaknesses. Sure, he typically builds through the draft... but unless there's a draft between now and September, I don't think it's going to help him with his current WR woes.

 

[Polish Hammer]

I don't think the Eagles are "too good" and I don't think that is what people are implying. I do think that what is meant is that the Eagles tried that route once (going with your assertion that TO was disgruntled). He was clearly one of the premier (if not THE premier) WRs in the league at the time. They got most of one season's worth of good production out of him, then it went really sour really fast. What makes you think they'd take the same gamble again (when they were burned once) on a WR that is arguably far less talented and far less of a sure thing? Do you not believe that the Eagles' front office looks at the TO experiment as a "lesson learned"?

Well, sure, Lelie is less of a talent than Owens... but he's less of a risk, too. He's never thrown a teammate under the bus. He's never yelled at a coordinator. He's never had a problem getting along, or been trouble in the locker room. All of his current teammates still like him and accept him and would take him back in a heartbeat if he showed up tomorrow.I still don't think it's that much of a surprise that Philly is one of the frontrunners. Andy Reid has demonstrated that he's willing to do what it takes to shore up positions of weaknesses. Sure, he typically builds through the draft... but unless there's a draft between now and September, I don't think it's going to help him with his current WR woes.

SSOG, I trust your opinion on things "Broncos" as last year I took Mike Anderson based on many of your posts. It helped me greatly. I'll take your word for it regarding what you write above about Lelie. However, I would suggest that maybe Reid sees Lelie holding out like this and refusing to compete for a starting spot as being trouble, albeit not in the locker room. Above many other things, Reid appreciates people that like the concepts of team, competition, and constant effort. That is why guys like Buckhalter, Mahe, Pinkston, and others have been on the team when other franchises would have cast them off. I'll fully admit that I was surprised when the Eagles went for T.O. There was no way I thought they would have made that move. They did and we all know the results, good and bad. Based on that, I think that the Eagles front office may have a "once bitten, twice shy" attitude about the whole thing. Then again, they did try to get Javon Walker before the draft, so maybe I'll be proven wrong again. As long as the team ends up better, I'll be happy.