Rams release Holt, your move Eagles

Wide receiver Torry Holt, who was previously rumored to be traded to the Eagles, was released today by the St. Louis Rams. Holt is a 7 time Pro Bowler but he is 32 and the move saves the Rams 8 million dollars.

Let the speculation for him signing with the Eagles begin. Expect the Giants and the Titans, who almost traded for Holt, also to be in the mix.

The question now for Eagles fans is who would you rather the Birds signed, Holt or Marvin Harrison? My money is on neither being an Eagle but I would rather have Holt because he is 4 years younger and has been much healthier. It also doesn't hurt that he doesn't have any legal troubles.

Of course, I would much rather have Anquan Boldin than either of these guys.

Eagles could be landing spot for Holt, Pace?

Another day, another Eagles rumor. This one seems pretty far fetched, however.

The St. Louis Rams have two players with hefty contracts: wide receiver Torry Holt and tackle Orlando Pace. Holt has recently switched agents so he is represented by the same agent as Pace. The two veteran players now appear to be linked together as the Rams decide whether to release them, trade them or try to re-structure their contracts. The Rams would save the most money if they could find another team willing to take the two veterans off their hands.

Enter the Eagles, who could use a receiver and a tackle. While both players are aging veterans, Rotoworld.com believes that the Eagles and Rams make perfect trading partners. New Rams head coach Steve Spagnuolo has connections with the Birds, but even that probably wouldn't be enough to get a deal done between the two teams. The Eagles aren't in the business of taking hefty contracts off the hands of other teams, especially for players on the downsides of their careers.

While Torry Holt isn't as exciting an option as Anquan Boldin or T.J. Houshmandzadeh (see the poll at the left), the Eagles would be interested in him at the right price. If Holt is willing to take a pay cut, he would be a decent fallback option but he definitely shouldn't be the first option for the Eagles. As far as Pace goes, the Eagles should stay away. He's too old and injury-prone to make an impact in the twilight of his career.

Eagles receiver search continues: Housh, Boldin, Holt?

The NFL offseason is barely a week old and already the Eagles rumor mill is churning with speculation that the Birds will go after one of possibly several available wide receivers. It's a rumor that never dies because it's a need that never gets filled. Kevin Curtis and DeSean Jackson are both excellent number two receivers but neither is the big possession receiver that the Eagles really need. Fans have been clamoring for a star receiver in Eagles green since last spring when Randy Moss, Roy Williams and Anquan Boldin all were rumored targets. The following three receivers are players the Eagles should be targeting this offseason:

T.J. Houshmandzadeh is the candidate who seems to be the most available and makes the most sense. Housh is a free agent who seems highly unlikely to re-sign with the crappy Bengals and is looking to join a Super Bowl contender. He has even gone so far as to come on Philadelphia radio and proclaim his interest in the Eagles. Of course, he will probably go to every city and say the same thing about every team, that's just what free agents do. Regardless, Housh's ability to make the tough catches across the middle would be the perfect complement to the speedy Curtis and Jackson. At 31, he isn't young, but how can you argue with 90+ catches the last three years? He isn't a big-play guy but he could fill the role of possession receiver that Reggie Brown will never be.

Another player who could be available is Anquan Boldin. Much has been written on this website and many others about Boldin wanting out of Arizona. He has long been unhappy with the huge contract his teammate Larry Fitzgerald has and has repeatedly said that he wants a new deal or he is leaving town. Boldin has even recently said that his relationship with the Cardinals has gotten so bad that he doesn't think it will ever be repaired. While Boldin is often injured, he is still young and would be another great target for Donovan McNabb. He would look great in the Eagles offense with his ability to make short catches and turn them into big plays with his size and speed. If he wants out of Arizona, that Eagles had better be making an offer. One possible snag is that his agent is the nefarious Drew Rosenhaus, someone the Eagles would prefer not to work with.

One last possible receiver on the Eagles radar has to be Torry Holt. The Rams are looking for some cap space and they have made it known that the former Pro Bowl receiver is available. Holt is 32 but has still averaged 83 catches over the last 3 seasons. He has certainly lost a step but he is still a solid possession receiver. The biggest issue with Holt has to be his contract. He is scheduled to make 10 million dollars next season, a price that the Eagles will be reluctant to pay for an aging veteran.

All three of the above players would be upgrades for the Eagles. While none is extremely likely to end up in Philly, you can bet that the Eagles will at least inquire about their availability. It became painfully obvious in the NFC Championship game that the Arizona Cardinals had horses on offense that the Eagles lacked. With a solid defense already in place, the Eagles have a team that looks ready to compete for the Super Bowl again next year. If they can just find one more weapon on offense for Donovan McNabb, the Birds might finally have a receiving core that would strike fear into opposing defenses.

Of course, the Eagles could easily choose to do what they do every offseason and not address the receiver position at all. Then we'll all be right back here again next year, wondering whether the Birds will finally make a move for a top receiver.

Torry Holt won't be traded

The rumor mill is still churning with possibilities for the Eagles in their quest for a number one receiver. One of the names that has been occasionally mentioned is Torry Holt of the St. Louis Rams. I never really considered Holt an option, but the Rams have made it public that they won't trade the 10-year veteran. With Isaac Bruce in San Francisco, the Rams are thin at wide receiver, so why would they trade their only consistent threat? The Rams are looking to add another receiver, not trade one away.

Out of all the rumored candidates for the Eagles, Holt was the least impressive. He's 31 years old, and not the same player he once was. While he did finish with 90 catches last season, his yards per catch has steadily declined over the last seven years. The Eagles need someone who can be a deep threat, and Holt is not that guy anymore. He has turned into a possession receiver who can make the tough catches over the middle.

Cross Torry Holt off the Eagles wish list. The options are beginning to narrow, and it looks like if the Eagles can't pry Larry Fitzgerald away from the Cardinals, they will be stuck with the same group as last year. Maybe Reggie Brown will finally make the leap every has been expecting.