Dawkins and Samuel Make Pro Bowl

Well at least we will be seeing two Eagles playing at in February if all else fails. Blockbuster signing Asante Samuel and life-time Eagle Brian Dawkins were elected to the Pro Bowl in Hawaii come Feb. 8 the Eagles website reported.

Both players made it last year, Samuel with the Patriots. It is Samuel's 2nd trip to Hawaii and Dawkins' 7th. Dawkins has another milestone he can add to his list this year. He first tied Eric Allen for career interceptions on the team, then he surpassed Harold Carmichael for all time games played with the Eagles, and now he tied Reggie White for second with Pro Bowl appearances. He is just one shy of tying Chuck Bednarick's total of 8.

Samuel was signed before the season to create turnovers and make big plays. He has done just that, intercepting 4 passes and knocking down 20. He also brought an interception back 50 yards for a TD versus Cleveland yesterday. Dawkins made his presence known in a different light, racking up 65 tackles so far, forcing 4 fumbles, and notching 2 sacks. He also has one interception, the record setter a few weeks ago.

Bot players were definitely worthy of the honor. Dawkins had a horrible start, being questioned whether or not his age was a factor. He shut up the critics after his poor game versus Dallas to help shut down Pittsburgh. His most memorable play was when he abused Ben Rothleisberger after leaping over a lineman to knock the ball out of Big Ben's hands.

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Asante Samuel is Injured

The Eagles newly acquired cornerback, Asante Samuel, left practice today with a strained right hamstring. He didn't even make it through the first full-pads session.

"We'll just see how he does here," coach Andy Reid said. "I won't know anything for a bit here." [ESPN]

So, it already looks like good news that the Eagles have kept Lito Sheppard. The only problem is that Rosenhaus has just been giving another argument for Sheppard's demands.

I assume the injury is not too severe and it'll keep Samuel out for a week or two, if not less. According to hearly reports, the hamstring is not torn, but they'll likely have an MRI tomorrow or later today.

What bothers me though is that Samuel was trying to catch up to Greg Lewis. The same Greg Lewis that would constantly beat the Patriots defense.

I will post an update once we hear more.

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Asante Samuel Press Conference

For those who may have missed it, here is the Asante Samuel press conference:

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Eagles Sign Asante Samuel

The Eagles have signed former Patriot cornerback, Asante Samuel, to a 6 year deal. The rumored money is $54 million and the contract involves incentives that could push it to $60 million.

Personally, I like the deal as it is a little cheaper than the rumored $10 million a year he was looking for. The Eagles were the first to call and they were the only team that Samuel visited today. He is a play-maker on defense and the Eagles felt that he was the #1 free-agent available.

Donovan McNabb reiterated in NFL live that he wanted to add play-makers, but he mentioned they don't only have to be on his side of the ball and Asante Samuel will fill the play-maker void. Samuel had 16 interceptions over the last two seasons with the Patriots and has 5 in 14 career playoff games.

Andy Reid said that Asante Samuel will be the starting left-cornerback, the same position as Lito Sheppard, so it looks more and more like Sheppard will be moved. I would prefer Sheppard to shift to the right corner and Sheldon Brown to safety, but that situation seems very unlikely to happen. It is more likely that Lito Sheppard will be moved for a draft pick and because he will be moved after the signing of Samuel, his value may have dropped. Teams will know the Eagles are definitely looking to shop him now.

The Eagles also expect to improve the defense tomorrow by signing free-agent defensive-end, Chris Clemons. Clemons is a little under-sized, but he had 8 sacks last year in 16 games, but only started 2 games. He primarily played outside linebacker in the Raiders 3-4 defense. Clemons' agent Don Henderson, made it sound like the Eagles may be his only team he'll visit.

"They're the first team we're going to visit, and maybe the last," Henderson said. "We're excited about Chris coming to Philadelphia."

Clemons could be a nice boost, but I think he's a little small to be a full-time starting defensive-end. He'll likely be their defensive end in passing situations as he as a good burst of speed off the end.

Also, don't count on Javon Walker because the news is that his knee is a mess, but former Eagle Donte Stallworth said he wouldn't mind returning to the Eagles.

I'd expect the Eagles to make at least one more "impact" move to go into the 2008 season whether it be free agency or the draft. The Eagles should also look at going after a third defensive-tackle to give them a healthy rotation.

Eagles Cap Numbers

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Eagles Plan to Target Asante Samuel

ESPN's Chris Mortensen has reported that the Philadelphia Eagles and New York Jets plan to target Patriots' free-agent cornerback, Asante Samuel. Samuel has said he plans to re-sign with New England, but he will listen to offers and not give a hometown discount. I assume this largely has to do with the fact he looked for a long-term deal last year, but was franchised tagged.

Samuel will likely look for somewhere around the 8 year, 80 million contract that Nate Clements got in an overpriced deal with the 49ers.

If the Eagles happen to sign Asante Samuel, it will be a great move. The move will add a play-maker to the secondary and also add insurance to our oft-injured corners. With the move, Sheldon Brown will hopefully be moved to safety, his position when drafted, and Samuel would play opposite of Sheppard. A guy who creates turnovers will be a big plus for the Eagles offense as well. We'll see what happens as free agency will begin at the end of the month.

Another rumor: This rumor does not have much weight, but there has been a rumor going around of Reggie Brown and draft picks for Roy Williams who is in the last year of his contract.

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