The Eagles land a LB, acquire DeMeco Ryans

All offseason, we've been left to wonder what the Eagles will do to shore up their weakest position: linebacker.  After passing on most of the bigger name free agents, the Eagles pulled off a huge trade today, acquiring DeMeco Ryans from the Texans for a 4th round draft pick.  Ryans, who does have some issues with an Achilles tendon, still has to pass a physical before the trade becomes official but all indications are that the Eagles are confident he will pass.

Ryans, a 6 year veteran and a 2-time Pro Bowler, brings a hefty salary with him to the Eagles as he earns over 6 million a year through 2015.  He is a huge pickup for the Eagles and he will be the best linebacker they've had on the roster in years.  The reason the Texans were willing to trade Ryans for very little was his salary and he is better suited for the 4-3 defense that the Eagles employ.

It will be a strange sight to see the Eagles actually have a legitimate Pro Bowler playing middle linebacker for them next season.  At 27, Ryans is young and should be a force in the middle for years to come.  Great move by the Birds to get a young stud player in a position of extreme need for little cost.

Eagles kick off free agency by extending Herremans, Cole

The NFL free agency period began today and the Eagles started it off by making sure two of their better players were going to remain with the team for several more years.  Both Todd Herremans and Trent Cole signed contract extensions today, with Herremans being extended through 2016 and Cole's exact contract not yet announced but expected to be for about the same number of years.

Herremans was rewarded for his versatile play along the line as the deal could give him about 20 million dollars of guaranteed money.  Cole also is much deserving of more guaranteed money given how valuable he is as one of the best pass rushers in the NFL.

What the Eagles do next in free agency isn't clear, though there have been some rumblings about LB's and backup running backs being on their wishlist.  With DeSean Jackson getting good money with the franchise tag and the Eagles giving extensions to a few of their own, there likely isn't a ton of money left for the Birds to make a big splash.  In other words, don't expect anything like what happened last year.

Eagles officially tag DeSean Jackson

As expected, the Eagles announced that they have placed the franchise tag on wideout DeSean Jackson.  The move locks Jackson into a one year deal next season with the Eagles for 9.4 million dollars, quite a substantial raise over what he has made the last few seasons.  Jackson is looking for more years and a bigger payday than that, however.

The tagging doesn't guarantee that Jackson will remain with the Eagles.  The Birds could take the tag off of Jackson at any time or even try to deal him to another team though I wouldn't expect many teams to be interested in him when there are so many other free agent receivers available.

DeSean Jackson's offseason story is just beginning.  Expect plenty of contract and trade speculation over the next few months as the Eagles try to work with their enigmatic and likely disgruntled wideout.

Eagles sign Trent Edwards, say goodbye to Vince Young?

According to Adam Schefter, the Eagles have signed QB Trent Edwards to a one year contract.  Edwards, who has played for the Bills and Jaguars, was cut right before the beginning of the 2011 season by the Raiders and didn't take a snap all season long.  His most significant playing time came in 2008 when he started 14 games for Buffalo.

What is the significance of the Eagles signing a quarterback who didn't even play last year?  Well, with Mike Vick locked in as the starter and Mike Kafka locked in as the quarterback of the future, Edwards figures to compete for the veteran backup role.  Given that his skills fit the Eagles offense much better than the 2011 backup, Vince Young, this signing could be a signal that Young won't be brought back this season.  If that's the case, so long Young and thanks so much for all the "Dream Team" crap.

More D help: Flyers acquire Pavel Kubina

The Flyers are wasting little time shoring up their defense.  Just two days after trading for Nicklas Grossman, the Flyers made another move for another defenseman, acquiring Pavel Kubina from the Lightning for forward Jon Kalinski and a 2nd round pick in 2012 or 2013 and a 4th round pick in 2013.  Kubina is a 14 year NHL veteran who has also played for the Maple Leafs and the Thrashers.  At 6 foot 4 and 258 pounds, Kubina is big and physical and can even contribute a bit on the offensive end with a big shot.

The acquisition of Kubina once again gives the Flyers one of the deepest groups of defensemen in the league.  With Chris Pronger out, the Flyers now go six deep with Kimmo Timonen, Braydon Coburn, Andrej Meszaros, Matt Carle, Nicklas Grossman and Kubina.  That group should supply enough physicality and puck-moving skills to improve on the inconsistency the Flyers have been getting from the younger players they have been trying to plug in to be their 5th and 6th d-men.

Acquiring Kubina probably won't be the last move the Flyers make.  With the Flyers still in possession of some cap space and rumors swirling that they are in on Rick Nash, expect another move or two in the coming days.

Flyers acquire D Nicklas Grossman

With Chris Pronger out for the season, we knew the Flyers would be looking to add help along the blueline.  They got some today, acquiring D Nicklas Grossman from the Stars for a 2nd round pick in 2012 and a 3rd round pick in 2013.  Grossman, 27 and on the last year of his contract, is earning 1.625 million this year and will be a UFA next year.

Grossman, a 6 year NHL veteran, doesn't put up big scoring numbers but that isn't what the Flyers are missing with Pronger out of the lineup.  Grossman will provide the Flyers with plenty of size (6 foot 3, 227 pounds) and quality defensive play in the back end.  He will also provide some physicality and can kill penalties and block shots.

Is the acquisition of Grossman enough to replace everything the Flyers have lost with Pronger out of the lineup?  No, but they at least add another piece without giving up anything on their current roster.  The Flyers routinely give up draft picks so it's not at all shocking to see them give a few away for immediate help.  With the NHL trade deadline approaching, expect more moves in the coming days.