Vince Young to sign with Eagles

UPDATE: It's official, Vince Young will sign a one year deal with the Eagles tomorrow.

As one backup quarterback departs, another enters: according to a report from CBSSports.com, Vince Young is expected to sign with the Eagles. After getting officially released by the Titans earlier today, Young is a lock to join the Eagles and backup Michael Vick.

I'm completely on board with this move. While Young wasn't exactly a great starting quarterback in the NFL he will be the perfect backup for the Eagles. Not only does he have tremendous athletic ability but he also has 47 starts under his belt and can be trusted should Vick miss time due to an injury. In some ways, Young might be a lateral move from Kevin Kolb and certainly is a better fit for an offense designed around a scrambling quarterback like Vick.

Signing Young, despite his past locker room issues, is a no-risk move for the Eagles. He will learn the offense under Vick and not force the Eagles to completely change their scheme when the backup QB enters the game. So far, the Eagles deserve high marks for the moves they have made this offseason. Now if they can only get DeSean Jackson locked up....

Rumor: Eagles interested in Brett Favre. Wow.

Say it ain't so.

Normally, I don't put much credence into what Howard Eskin puts out there, but this rumor is just too insane: once they trade Kevin Kolb, the Eagles might look to sign Brett Favre to be the backup quarterback. Let that sink in for a minute.

According to Jeff McLane of Philly.com, the Eagles didn't deny that they were interested, so this story might have some legs. Andy Reid and Favre go way back and he certainly knows the offense, so it actually makes some sense, except for the fact that Favre is 41 and supposedly retired again. There is no word right now if Favre wants to play in Philly or if he is even willing to be a backup quarterback.

The Eagles have brought the circus to town just for a backup quarterback before, so who says they won't do it again? There is no denying that Favre knows the offense but how much of a glutton for media attention must this team be to bring in the ol' gunslinger? I know the Eagles need a proven backup quarterback who can step in for the oft-injured Michael Vick but this is pretty ridiculous.

Who wants Kevin Kolb?

While the news that came out today about the Eagles receiving offers for Kevin Kolb is meaningless since teams can't make trades right now, it's still interesting to speculate about which teams might have interest in the Eagles backup quarterback. Since the rumor is that the Eagles are receiving first round offers for Kolb, we can look at which teams with first round picks need quarterbacks and start making some guesses:

1. Panthers
3. Bills
4. Bengals
5. Cardinals
6. Browns
7. Niners
8. Titans
10. Redskins
12. Vikings
15. Dolphins
16. Jaguars
25. Seahawks

First, we can eliminate the Panthers, who are probably going to draft a quarterback with the first overall pick. In fact, we can go ahead and eliminate everyone in the top 10, since they would have to be crazy to give up that high of a pick for Kolb. That leaves a few interesting options left, including the Vikings, though the 12th pick is still probably too high. The most likely option is probably the worst pick of the bunch, as the Seahawks have to be pretty desperate to move on from the Matt Hasselbeck era. If I'm the Eagles, I feel pretty good about moving Kolb for the 25th pick.

Of course, if the labor issues don't get figured out soon, the rumored draft picks would be for the 2012 draft and the Eagles would simply be rolling the dice, speculating on the quality of team they are sending Kolb to and gambling on a high selection. In that scenario, I would think the Eagles would be smart to hold onto Kolb as insurance if/when Michael Vick gets banged up. Unless they can pull in a decent veteran backup, like Carson Palmer or (shudder) Vince Young, the Eagles might be better off keeping Kolb, anyway.

Brian Westbrook wants to come back to the Eagles

After spending a year in California, it looks like Brian Westbrook wants to come back to Philly. In an interview with CSN Philly, Westbrook, who spent last season with the Niners after the Eagles let him go, talked about how he has constantly been in contact with Andy Reid and how he would love to return to the Birds. Westbrook feels that he still could be a contributor in the Eagles backfield in a backup role of some kind.

The question is, are the Eagles even interested in bringing him back? With LeSean McCoy firmly entrenched as an every down back and Jerome Harrison likely coming back to be a solid backup, what role would Westbrook play? The Eagles usually like their third running back to have some special teams versatility, which is why Eldra Buckley filled the role last season. Westbrook won't be playing special teams so what other role could he fill? Punt returner? Slot receiver? Running back coach?

Sure, Westbrook would likely sign a cheap contract to return to Philadelphia, but there aren't enough touches available to make him a useful addition. The only scenario I can see the Eagles signing Westbrook is if he wants to sign a one day contract and retire as an Eagle.

ESPN: Eagles to franchise Vick, possibly deal Kolb

Adam Schefter is reporting what we basically have known for a few weeks: the Eagles are planning to use the franchise tag on Michael Vick and will listen to trade offers for backup quarterback Kevin Kolb.

Slapping the franchise tag on Vick is a no-brainer to keep the Pro Bowl QB in an Eagles uniform. While the Eagles will have to pay a premium to keep Vick, if he can put together another season like last year, he will be worth every penny.

As for Kolb, who has already said he wants out if he isn't starting for the Eagles, this may be the perfect time to deal him. With a number of teams searching for a starting quarterback and Kolb set to make just over a million dollars next season, there should be plenty of offers for the Eagles to mull over. Expect the Birds to only make a move if they are given an offer they can't refuse, like multiple 1st and 2nd round picks, since Kolb is still valuable backup for the Eagles behind the injury-prone Vick. Should the Eagles deal Kolb, look for them to seek out a veteran backup that could be counted on to start a game or two.

Of course, none of this can really happen until a new CBA is worked out, which could be months from now, if then.

Could Jeff Fisher be the Eagles next defensive coordinator?

With Jeff Fisher and the Titans going their separate ways, it was only natural for this question to come up: could Fisher be the Eagles answer for their defensive coordinator opening? While it makes a ton of sense, from his ties to the Eagles organization to his mastery of the 4-3 scheme, don't hold your breath waiting for it to happen.

Sure, Fisher would be a perfect fit for the Eagles, but you can bet there will be a few of teams willing to hand him a head coaching gig right away. Fisher also could take a year off and essentially hand pick his next coaching job. The best chance the Eagles could have to land Fisher is if he decides to take a year to figure out his next move and decides to temporarily take a less stressful assistant position.

With plenty of sources already saying that Fisher won't be taking a defensive coordinator job with the Eagles or any other team, what looked like a perfect match seems extremely unlikely to happen. You can't blame Andy Reid if he at least gives Fisher a call, though.

Could Dick LeBeau be the Eagles next defensive coordinator?

UPDATE: Dick Lebeau himself squashes the speculation, saying that if he is coaching in Pennsylvania next year, it will be in Pittsburgh.

With the Eagles defensive coordinator search stretching into a second week and most of the top candidates snatched up, there has been speculation that the Eagles have a "mystery candidate" in mind to replace the departed Sean McDermott. Some intriguing news has emerged today that may give us a clue as to who the mystery man might be: Steelers defensive coordinator Dick LeBeau's contract expires after this season.

LeBeau, who has coached one of the best defenses in the league over the last decade, would be a hot commodity if the Steelers let him become a free agent. ESPN is already speculating that LeBeau could land with the Cardinals, who have a slew of former Steelers on staff already. Of course, at age 73, LeBeau could be planning on retiring and may not even seek another job in the league.

While LeBeau employs a 3-4 scheme, I'm pretty sure the Eagles would be willing to change things up if they can land a coordinator of his caliber. While it would be a longshot at best, you can't blame the Eagles for at least trying to convince LeBeau to move across the state. After all, he has some experience with the team when he was their special teams coach way back in the early 70's.

Eagles fire Sean McDermott; enter Dick Jauron?

Just a few days ago, Eagles head coach Andy Reid said that defensive coordinator Sean McDermott was going to stay with the team for another season. Apparently Andy completely changed his mind (or he was lying), because the Eagles announced today that they have fired McDermott.

McDermott has been with the Eagles since 1998 and spent two years as the Eagles defensive coordinator after taking over for the late Jim Johnson in 2009. He did an adequate job with the defense as he tried to stick to the same formula that Johnson successfully used for several years. After their defensive failures in the red zone this season and their inability to stop the run in the playoffs, however, McDermott had to know that his chances of retaining his job would be slim.

As for who will replace McDermott, the smart money is on current Eagles secondary coach Dick Jauron. With the Browns reportedly looking to hire Jauron to be their defensive coordinator, the Eagles probably have to promote him if they want to keep him around.

Kevin Kolb to the Eagles: Start me or Trade me

The Eagles season has been over for just a few hours and we already have out first rumor: Kevin Kolb wants to be a starting quarterback next season. While that news isn't that surprising, the Inquirer is reporting that if Kolb isn't going to be the Eagles starting quarterback next season, he will demand a trade.

While the Eagles would be smart to hold on to Kolb as insurance if/when Michael Vick gets injured, there might be no better time to trade Kolb than now. With several teams looking for quarterbacks this offseason, including the Vikings and Niners, the Eagles could get a decent draft pick for Kolb. Of course, with the NFL labor situation looking dicey, who knows if teams will even be making trades.

The bottom line in this whole situation is that if Kevin Kolb gives the Eagles a start me or trade me ultimatum, he should start packing his bags. Despite the interception he threw to end the season, this is Michael Vick's team now.

Eagles release Joique Bell; Safety signing coming?

Joique Bell, we hardly knew you.

According to Adam Caplan of Fox Sports, the Eagles have waived running back Joique Bell. Bell, an undrafted rookie who was signed by the Eagles back in September, only suited up for 3 games with the Birds and never had a carry. In the preseason with the Bills, Bell showed a ton of promise but was stuck behind Eldra Buckley and the newly acquired Jerome Harrison. We may not have seen the last of Bell, though, as the Eagles also released DE Pannel Egboh from the practice squad, which opens up a spot to stash Bell away.

The release of Bell from the active roster frees up a spot for the Eagles to bring in a safety. With an injury to Nate Allen likely to keep him out for the Monday Night game against the Redskins, the Eagles are left with just two safeties, Quintin Mikell and Kurt Coleman, on the roster. Look for them to add someone familiar with the system, like Quintin Demps or Macho Harris. There have also been rumors that the Eagles are kicking the tires on Al Harris, the former Eagle who had recently been released by the Packers. If the Packers didn't think he was healthy enough to contribute, though, I wouldn't count on him coming to the Birds.

Jeff Garcia to the Eagles? Again?

Now that the Eagles are down to two quarterbacks, rumors have already begun about who they will get to be the third. Because, you know, what would this team be without rampant quarterback speculation?

With Kevin Kolb anointed the starter and Michael Vick the backup (unless he's traded), the Eagles can go one of two ways with their third string signal caller: the Birds can either draft a quarterback to develop or they can get an established quarterback who could step into the mix should Kolb falter or get hurt. In terms of developmental quarterbacks, we have already heard Tim Tebow's name thrown around, though the Eagles likely won't draft him unless he falls deep into the second round, something that isn't likely to happen given the interest in Tebow by a number of teams around the league.

Rather than get a project like Tebow, the Eagles might be leaning towards a veteran backup. The way it stands now, should something happen to Kolb, the Eagles would be forced to turn to Michael Vick as the starter. Unfortunately for Vick, though, the Eagles don't really view him as anything more than a gimmick quarterback, someone who can run the Wildcat and keep defenses off balance. Bringing in a veteran quarterback who knows the system would allow the Eagles to keep their offense the same should the team be forced to turn to a backup.

Enter Jeff Garcia. The Eagles have apparently been in contact with Garcia about returning to Philadelphia yet again. As you recall, Garcia signed on to play with the Eagles for a short time last season, seeing only a few snaps late in a blowout win against the Chiefs. While he is 40 years old, Garcia knows the Eagle offense very well and would be someone the Eagles could trust in a pinch. While I'm not crazy about the idea of having to play Garcia, if he's willing to accept a backup role, bringing him in to help teach the offense and be an emergency quarterback wouldn't be a bad thing.

Of course, there is always the possibility that the Eagles sign Garcia and draft a developmental quarterback if they choose to trade Michael Vick. Rumors are still circulating that the Eagles would like to move Vick and I'm sure they would if anyone offered them a good deal. Don't hold your breath that another team in the league is dumb enough to trade for Vick.

Besides the fact that Kevin Kolb is the starter, it's fair to say that the Eagles quarterback situation is in flux. I'm sure from now until at least the draft and possibly beyond, we are going to be hearing about possible trades with Vick and talk that the Eagles will sign a veteran quarterback. The more things change, the more they stay the same in Philadelphia: the Eagles QB carousel continues to spin.

As Donovan turns: McNabb trade rumor roundup

Another day, another new batch of new Donovan McNabb rumors. While it's not my goal to bring every last ridiculous rumor that spreads about where McNabb will end up, here's a roundup of some of the interesting things I've heard today:

-The Associated Press says the Eagles reportedly want at least a top 42 pick for McNabb. That seems pretty arbitrary; they wouldn't take pick 43 or 44? Sal Pal reports that the rest of the league is only willing to give up a 3rd round pick. Looks like we have a difference in how the league values #5.

-Via Adam Schefter, McNabb spoke to Andy Reid and prefers to stay in Philly over getting traded to the Raiders or Bills. McNabb also stated that, if he's traded, he would most like to go to the Vikings. Well, duh, of course he would want to go to a loaded team like Minnesota rather than the crappy Raiders. Unfortunately for Donovan, he has absolutely no say in where he goes. I don't think the loyalty of Reid will keep the Eagles from making the best deal possible regardless of the team McNabb goes to.

-According to multiple sources, the Raiders are supposedly the team that is hottest after McNabb. As I talked about yesterday, the Raiders are willing to include Nnamdi Asomugha in a deal for McNabb and they won't even demand that McNabb sign an extension. While Asomugha is a top cornerback, he only has one more year left on his deal for the outrageous price tag of 16 million dollars. Despite his immense talent, the Eagles would much rather have draft picks than an overpriced veteran.

-Also, there are zero Kevin Kolb and Michael Vick trade rumors. It's curiously quiet on those fronts.

I'm still in the belief that the Eagles will only trade McNabb if given a great deal. They have in no way placed him on the trading block and are simply listening to offers. Whatever they choose to do, the Eagles need to clear up this situation as quickly as possible. The team can't linger deep into the offseason with rumors floating around unless they have decided to trade McNabb to the highest bidder. You can't have rumors still going in June with McNabb left to wonder if he is still the starting QB in Philly. If nothing else but for the sanity of the fans, I hope something happens sooner rather than later.

Latest rumor: McNabb to the Raiders in megadeal

Expect a lot more rumors like this to pop up in the coming days. According to Pro Football Talk, the Raiders and Eagles might possibly be discussing a huge trade that would send Donovan McNabb and Asante Samuel to the Raiders for Nnamdi Asomugha and a second round pick. Yep, that would be three Pro Bowl players changing hands.

PFT makes it pretty clear that this is just a rumor but it seems more like a trade you would make in Madden than a real trade in the NFL. While the Eagles would be getting a very, very good cornerback in Asomugha, it's hard to believe they are going to trade two Pro Bowlers for only one in return. From the Eagles standpoint, it makes some sense, since Asomugha would be an upgrade over Samuel and his non-tackling ways and the Birds would also be getting an early second for McNabb. Unfortunately, there is still one huge problem with the deal. As I said yesterday, McNabb is a free agent after 2010, so the Raiders would have to agree to a contract extension with him to make the deal worth it for them. There is absolutely no chance McNabb will stay in Oakland on a team with zero chance to win a title.

I wouldn't put much merit into this rumor. It's fun to chew on and think about the ramifications but, really, how often do huge trades happen in NFL? And, like I've said before, the Eagles like to work in secrecy so the rumors you hear are either completely made up or something the Eagles have already rejected. Despite that fact, expect this to just be one of many more McNabb rumors to be spread around in the coming month.

Donovan McNabb isn't going anywhere....yet

Donovan McNabb appears to be on his way out of Philly. Or not.

Andy Reid set off a firestorm with his comments today that any Eagles quarterback could be had for the right price, a statement that caused Donovan McNabb rumors to fly all afternoon. First, there was the rumored trade the Rams had "on the table", which would have been for their early second round pick and safety Oshiomogho Atogwe. Just when that rumor started to gain some real traction and turn into an "imminent" trade, Rams officials stepped forward and promptly squashed it, putting everything back to square one.

Then, Jay Glazer, one of the most reliable sources around the NFL, shared on Twitter that four teams have shown interest in McNabb, including the Bills and Raiders. If we can presume that the Rams are the third team, that means there is another unnamed team (Seahawks?) in the mix.

Despite the avalanche of rumors and speculation, the Eagles haven't really changed their stance since the beginning of the offseason. The team has stated all along that they would only move a quarterback for the right offer, meaning they would need to be blown away. Perhaps the Eagles have come down a bit from that statement and are now willing to take a little less for McNabb or even Kevin Kolb, but there is nothing in what they are saying that shows they are in any hurry to make a trade or that they are even definitely going to make a move. Sure, they would be almost foolish to keep McNabb, Kolb and Michael Vick on the roster for another year, but they aren't going to make a move just for the hell of it. They still need to get whatever perceived value they think their players are worth.

Keep in mind also that Donovan McNabb only has one more year left on his contract. All of the teams rumored to get him are bad teams that, at best, would only be longshots for a playoff spot with McNabb. Sure, they would sell a few more tickets, but what would be the point in getting McNabb for a year if you aren't a contender? Considering he wants to win a title, there's no way McNabb signs a long-term deal to stay in St. Louis or Oakland, yet those teams would demand that he sign an extension with them before making a deal or they would just be throwing picks away for a few extra bucks at the gate.

So, what happens now? We know that the Eagles would love to move a quarterback and that their preference is getting rid of Michael Vick. Since no one in the league wants Vick, that leaves McNabb and Kolb on the table. Since Kolb is perceived as the quarterback of the future, the Eagles would probably want a pretty hefty package for him, and that leaves McNabb as the most likely QB to get traded. However, it takes two teams to make a trade, and if the Eagles don't get the right offer, McNabb isn't going anywhere.

Which is exactly where we have been since the beginning of the offseason. If the Eagles get the right offer for any of their quarterbacks, they will make the trade. If I were to make a guess, I say that the Eagles are more likely to keep Kolb and McNabb then they are to trade either one. While Vick is the wild card because you never know who will make a desperate offer, I don't think the rest of the league values the Eagles QB's the same way Andy Reid does. All of that means we are probably in for one more year of McNabb under center, which really isn't as bad as Eagles fans make it seem. The guy can still play, folks, whether you're sick of him or not.

Strap yourselves in for a few more months of McNabb rumors, things are really going to heat up as we head into the draft. If you aren't already sick of all the speculation, you will be soon enough. Just like McNabb himself said, let's all hope, for our own sanity, that things get sorted out soon.

Eagles sign RB Bell to offer sheet

The Eagles may have their backup running back: visiting free agent RB Mike Bell has signed an offer sheet. According to Adam Schefter, the Eagles have signed the restricted free agent to a 1 year, 1.7 million dollar contract. Because Bell is a restricted free agent, the Saints have 7 days to match the offer. Should the Saints decline to match it, there will be no compensation from the Eagles, meaning no draft picks have to change hands.

1.7 million for a backup RB is a pretty good deal but I wouldn't get too excited just yet. My initial guess is that the Saints will match the offer and leave the Eagles looking for another running back somewhere else. Even though Bell is the third string running back for the Saints, he would still be used enough in their offense to make him worth 1.7 million. Of course, the Saints might plan to draft another running back that they can sign for a cheaper rate and their loss would be the Eagles gain.

Eagles to meet with RB Mike Bell

The Eagles are clearly looking for a veteran backup running back. After meeting with Justin Fargas last week and letting him go without a contract, the Eagles have announced that they will meet with former Saints running back Mike Bell on Tuesday. Bell is a 4 year veteran with a career 4.0 yards per carry average who has also spent time with the Broncos.

Bell is a restricted free agent, meaning the Saints can match any contract offer made by the Eagles. If the Eagles sign him and the Saints refuse to match, the Eagles don't have to give them any compensation.

Bell is similar to Fargas in my book; he's had a few decent seasons but would be nothing more than an adequate backup. Bell has decent hands out of the backfield and almost has the size of a fullback so he should be able to get the tough yards up the middle. While the Eagles could likely find someone in the 4th round of the upcoming draft who is just as good as Bell, for the right price, he would make a nice backup.

Eagles reportedly have interest in DE Ray Edwards

Rumors are swirling late Thursday night that the Eagles have interest in restricted free agent DE Ray Edwards. The former Viking was tendered by Minnesota at the first round level, meaning any team that signs him would have to give up their first round pick. Of course, the Vikings could also match any offer, making it extremely difficult for someone to pry Edwards away.

That the Eagles are interested doesn't come as much of a surprise. Edwards is the exact type of player the team targets: a young (25) up-and-coming defender with plenty of football left in him. While the Eagles do have a reputation for being cost-efficient (cheap), they might feel it's worth it to give him the big money he wants and to give up their first round pick if he can provide a solid pass-rushing presence opposite of Trent Cole. While there is still some belief around the league that Edwards' numbers last year with the Vikings (8.5 sacks) are due to playing with Jared Allen, he would still be better than any defensive lineman the Eagles could draft with their 24th pick in the first round.

Of course, all indications are that the Vikings will bring back Edwards at any cost. What the Eagles could do to pull off a signing would be to include a "poison pill" clause in their contract offer; something that states he would have to be the highest paid defensive lineman on the team. The Vikings of course couldn't pull that off with Jared Allen's huge salary on the roster. Basically, if the Eagles really want Edwards, they could offer him a massive deal and they might just get their man. The Birds would really have to be in love with Edwards to make that kind of commitment, though, so they better be absolutely sure he's worth the steep price.

Eagles to bring in Fargas, Baskett for visits; is Tomlinson next?

It looks like business is starting to pick up for the Eagles. Fresh off the signing of Marlin Jackson yesterday, the Eagles have announced that two more free agents will come to Philly for a visit on Friday: RB Justin Fargas and WR Hank Baskett.

Fargas is a 7 year NFL veteran, having spent all of his years in Oakland. He has put up pretty solid numbers throughout his career, including a 1,000 yard rushing season in 2007. He was non-tendered by the Raiders after they said he failed a physical, so there are certainly come physical issues surrounding him but Fargas would be a solid backup running back if healthy. He might not be a great fit with the Eagles since he doesn't have great hands out of the backfield but if the Birds want a veteran who is more than willing to share the load with LeSean McCoy, Fargas could be their guy. Oh, and Fargas is the son of Huggy Bear from the original Starsky and Hutch, so there's that.

As for Baskett, his visit with the Eagles might simply be to sign a contract. The Eagles know Baskett and he knows the offense so there probably isn't much to discuss between the team and player. Look for a Baskett signing announcement to come tomorrow. With the recent trade of Reggie Brown, Baskett would slot in as the 5th receiver on the depth chart.

If those two names don't excite you, Peter King is reporting on Twitter that former NFL MVP LaDainian Tomlinson is considering a visit to the Eagles sometime in the near future. Tomlinson recently wrapped up his visit with the Vikings and is looking for other teams to visit and Philly is believed to be on his list. While Jeff McLane of the Inquirer reports that there is no visit set up between the Eagles and L.T., Tomlinson would be a perfect backup running back for the Eagles if he was willing to take a lowball contract and have only a limited number of carries. With better opportunities in the league where L.T. would get more money and playing time, don't count on him signing with the Eagles even if a visit is arranged.

Marlin Jackson leaves Philly without a contract

Marlin Jackson has left the building and he isn't an Eagle. At least not yet. Despite mutual interest between the Eagles and Jackson, the free agent cornerback left the Birds after two days of visiting without a contract. Apparently the Eagles need to see a little more out of Jackson physically before they decide to offer him a deal.

While there is still a chance the Eagles sign Jackson, who is now off to visit the Jets, I wouldn't hold my breath waiting. As I've stated before, while Jackson doesn't excite me too much, I'm all for signing him for the right deal, meaning on the cheap. Jackson's injury issues are worrying but if he manages to stay healthy, he could be a real bargain.

DB Marlin Jackson visiting Eagles, will he sign?

The Eagles finally have their first free agent visitor of the offseason as former Colts defensive back Marlin Jackson is in Philly today and tomorrow. Jackson, who previously visited the Ravens yesterday, is scheduled to undergo some physical tests, talk with team officials and then meet the media at 11 am tomorrow. There is some speculation that the Eagles will announce the signing of Jackson when he talks to the press tomorrow but word has come out from Aaron Wilson, a Ravens beat writer, that Jackson is already scheduled to visit the Jets later this week. If Jackson is still arranging more visits, he might not plan to be signing with any team just yet.

Whether the Eagles should offer a contract to the unrestricted free agent is another issue. While Jackson is a big, physical corner with tremendous talent, he is coming off of two ACL injuries in the last two years. The Eagles didn't seem to make a serious run at DE Aaron Kampman, who has a similar injury history, so why would the Birds want Jackson, who has even worse injury problems? Then there is the question as to where he will play. Can Jackson successfully move to free safety, the biggest secondary need for the Eagles, after playing cornerback with the Colts?

As is the usual rule with free agents, if the team lets them leave town after a visit, it's not likely they will sign with the team. If the Eagles don't announce a signing of Jackson at their press conference tomorrow, don't count on him joining the team. Personally, I don't mind the Eagles taking a chance on Jackson staying healthy for the right price. The way Jackson is touring around to several teams, however, he looks to be fishing for a pretty substantial offer. If he is, don't count on the Eagles to get involved in the bidding; it's not in their nature to overpay.