Open Thread: Legal Tampering Period, Day 2
DeMarco Murray and Kiko Alonso. (Jeff Fusco)
On the first day of legal tampering, we found out the Eagles are trading away Kiko Alonso, Byron Maxwell and DeMarco Murray. With free agency starting tomorrow and the compensation for those trades still unknown, plenty of news will be coming in today.
7:32 — Sam Bradford may be close to getting a new backup.
3 teams heavily involved in QB Chase Daniels. Hearing Philly is the favorite but not done yet per sources
— Dianna Marie Russini (@diannaESPN) March 9, 2016
6:26 — McKelvin talked to the media about why he chose the Eagles, Schwartz’s scheme and more.
3:36 — The Eagles signed former Bills cornerback Leodis McKelvin.
2:55 — Another ex-Schwartz player to keep an eye on.
#Eagles reached out on another ex-Bills player who played for Jim Schwartz, per sources: LB Nigel Bradham. 26-yr old has 38 career starts.
— Jeff McLane (@Jeff_McLane) March 8, 2016
2:22 — If the Eagles sign Chase Daniel, that means they’d likely cut Mark Sanchez and save $3.5 million against the 2016 cap.
Eagles’ re-signing of Sam Bradford did not spell the end of QB Chase Daniel in Philly. Doug Pederson’s buddy remains a possibility there.
— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) March 8, 2016
1:54 — An update on the Maxwell and Alonso trade.
Both CB Byron Maxwell and LB Kiko Alonso are at the Dolphins facility today to get their physicals, wrap up the trade.
— Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) March 8, 2016
1:00 — Some action on the corner front:
Free agent CB Leodis McKelvin is visiting the #Eagles, source said. A deal could come quickly, though a visit to Dallas looms.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 8, 2016
The 30-year-old McKelvin, who has spent each of his first eight NFL seasons in Buffalo, played under Jim Schwartz in 2014. He had a career-high four interceptions that season. He missed six games that year and played just nine games in 2015 due to an ankle injury.
The Eagles and Cowboys seem to be swimming in similar circles. Dallas has apparently checked in on Nolan Carroll as well. — TM
12:47 — Top free-agent guard Kelechi Osemele is reportedly off the market. The Raiders are set to pay some major money for his services.
For Kelechi Osemele and the #Raiders, the deal they’ve agreed to in principle will pay him an $11.7M per year base with a max value of $12M.
— Rand Getlin (@Rand_Getlin) March 8, 2016
More on the deal OG Osemele and the #Raiders have agreed to in principle: 5-year deal worth a maximum of $60M (!). Absolutely massive.
— Rand Getlin (@Rand_Getlin) March 8, 2016
The highest paid guard in the league has been Mike Iupati at $8M per. This Osemele deal will reset the market in an incredibly radical way.
— Rand Getlin (@Rand_Getlin) March 8, 2016
With a new precedent established, it’s safe to say that reps for other free-agent linemen will be looking to raise the asking price. This obviously impacts the Eagles. Will they be willing to write the check necessary, say, for the likes of Jeff Allen? Or will their sights be set a bit lower? Worth considering.
10:45 — The Eagles and Nolan Carroll aren’t on the same page numbers wise at the moment. Howie Roseman and company want him to test the market, per a source, to see if it matches up with Carroll’s valuation. At least one NFC East team is said to be interested. Seems like there is still a chance he returns to Philly, but they’ll have to find some middle ground. — TM
9:19 — In case you missed it, Murray isn’t the only (former) Eagle restructuring his contract.
Among those making contract adjustments: Dolphins TE Jordan Cameron and CB Byron Maxwell, Titans RB DeMarco Murray, Vikings OT Phil Loadholt
— Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) March 8, 2016
8:09 — Zach Berman mentions a few players to keep an eye on.
“Whitehead, Jeff Allen & Brandon Boykin are all guys to pay attention to come 4 pm tomorrow” – @ZBerm
— 975TheFanatic (@975TheFanatic) March 8, 2016
“9.8 million in cap space was freed, just shy of 10 mill, I can’t imagine the compensation is that much, it was a salary dump” – @ZBerm
— 975TheFanatic (@975TheFanatic) March 8, 2016