Sunday, June 1, 2008

Eagles interested in Jason Taylor?

According to Adam Schefter of the NFL Network, the Eagles are one of five teams that are interested in acquiring defensive end Jason Taylor from the Miami Dolphins. Taylor and the Dolphins have been feuding all off-season and Taylor appears ready to demand a trade out of town. Taylor would like to play for a team that will contend, something the Dolphins won't be doing any time soon. The five teams Schefter believes have shown interest in trading for Taylor: New Orleans, Philadelphia, Tampa Bay, Dallas and San Diego.

Here is what Schefter says about the Birds:
"Throughout the offseason, the Eagles have tried to make a big splash. First they landed free-agent cornerback Asante Samuel. Then they nearly signed free-agent wide receiver Randy Moss. They inquired about trading for Cincinnati wide receiver Chad Johnson. And they have looked into the possibility of trading for Taylor. Eagles coach Andy Reid never has enough defensive linemen. During the Reid era, the Eagles have drafted a defensive lineman with their top pick five times in nine years, including this past year, when Philadelphia drafted Notre Dame defensive tackle Trevor Laws in the second round with the 47th overall pick. Taylor would team with Pro Bowl defensive end Trent Cole to give the Eagles a dynamic pass-rushing tag team."

Schefter has some interesting points about the Eagles wanting to make a splash, but the Eagles won't go out and acquire a player just because they are a big name. At this point in the off-season they have to be looking at their needs and defensive end simply isn't one of them, especially at the price it would take to get Taylor, both in salary (7.5 million) and in a trade (two first day draft picks). The Eagles are already set at defensive end anyway, considering they have five guys who are ready to be part of the rotation: Trent Cole, Juqua Parker, Chris Clemons, Victor Abiamiri and Darren Howard. The Eagles still could waive Howard which would leave room for Xzavie Jackson to have a role.

The only way Jason Taylor is an Eagle is if he is willing to take a pay cut to take on a smaller role with the Eagles as part of the rotation. In other words, it's not going to happen. The Eagles already made their big move along the defensive line for this off-season when they signed pass-rush specialist Chris Clemons. There might be another move in the cards for the Eagles, but that would likely involve Lito Sheppard or bringing in someone on the offensive side of the ball.

Now that June 1st is here expect all of the speculation to continue, just don't expect the Eagles to actually do anything.

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