Eagles sign Jason Peters and Riley Cooper: Heading towards resigning Maclin

Left Tackle Jason Peters has been re-signed to a five year deal that he now says "I will retire an Eagle". Locking up Peters was a must for the Eagles who had tremendous success at the offensive line positions last year. With this out of the way, the Eagles will now move their focus to the wide receiver group which features two free agents in the likes of Jeremy Maclin and Riley Cooper. Reports have come out as well as general manager Howie Roseman saying that their is a mutual want for Maclin to stay in Philadelphia. As the days progressed more reports came out about the situation. Philly.com reported that the Eagles favored Maclin over Cooper. This to me was a no brainer anyway. Besides this season which Maclin did not play the entire year, his production has been steady and very good for a #2 receiver next to Desean Jackson. As for Cooper, his off season comments almost cost him his career in the NFL. Luckily for him the Eagles gave him a chance, and boy were they happy they did. Riley Cooper posted career highs in yards and touchdowns with Nick Foles who he seemed to have a strong connection with. Cooper owes the Eagles after the off season drama. It would be pretty frustrating if he left for more money when he could right now be easily on the curb not being picked up by any organization. He knows the system and fits will clearly with Nick Foles so it is likely he will be back. As reports go now, it is said that the Eagles are close to getting a deal done with both Cooper and center Jason Kelce so the Eagles are already on the move before the free agency frenzy begins on March 11th.


Breaking News: As I right this article it is reported that the Eagles have re-signed Riley Cooper to a 4 year deal! Now its time to lock up Maclin. Great work by Howie Roseman as usual.

 

Jeremy Maclin "I want to be here" would like to stay in Philadelphia

Jeremy Maclin is going to be a free agent come March. Maclin is coming off of a ACL tear before the season and did not play all year. With all the other wide receivers in free agency, it was expected that he would not be highly touted and that it wouldn't be for big money. Well reports are that the New York Jets really want Maclin. With another team really interested in Maclin, the Eagles need to be cautious with how they approach Maclin. The good news is that Maclin talked with the media today and said "I know everything's going to work out," Maclin told the Philadelphia inquirer's Zach Berman on Saturday. " This is where I want to be and the Eagles stated the same". So with this hopefully the Eagles will offer him a fair deal, and with Maclin wanting to stay in a system that he can thrive in and still get a pretty good deal after a ACL tear, it would override a big deal from a team like the Jets to me. The contract will probably be a one year deal to see how he looks after his injury, and hopefully after a productive season the Eagles can lock him up for a long time. I am very optimistic with Maclin saying this because now with a pro bowl receiver in Desean Jackson and two really productive tight ends in Celek and Ertz, if the Eagles can lock up Maclin and sign Riley Cooper who had a career year, then this team can reach another level in their quest for a Super Bowl. I expect Cooper to also re-sign with the Eagles as he kind of owes them after they kept him even with his racial comments in the off season.

What should the Eagles do at backup QB?

NFL Scouting Combine is February 22nd, Free Agency is March 11, NFL Draft is May 8. Where exactly will the Eagles find their backup QB? Will it be a return of Michael Vick? I highly doubt it since he wishes to chase a starting gig still and I think he will get one. So is Matt Barkley the answer in his second season? All these questions will be answered soon, but for now lets (Christian) ponder some thoughts on the possibilities for Foles's backup. First and probably the most talked about choice is Matt Barkley. After seeing limited time in 2013, Barkley struggled like most rookies thrown into the fire in the middle of a game do. Now the question is if he can be the full time backup in his second season. My assumption is yes. I think after another full off season under Chip Kelly's offense that he will pick it up. Did I like what I saw this past season from Barkley or did any fans like what they saw? Of course not but you can't expect a rookie who is learning a brand new, and might I say a complex system to just come in and be a Andrew Luck. Another option the Eagles could decide to go with is through the NFL Draft. This is the choice that the Eagles should go with no matter what. Even if Barkley or a FA QB wins the backup job, Chip Kelly will want to develop another quarterback, and with a very deep draft this year, Kelly could go get a mobile project like Tajh Boyd or Stephen Morris. Tajh Boyd's senior year at Clemson did not go as planned. The Tigers were expected to be BCS Title contenders and just couldn't beat the Florida State Seminoles, but as for the NFL draft, it is all about individual performance (Not always true but mostly accurate). I am a big fan of Boyd, he is a big bodied QB that scored double digit rushing touchdowns, and ran the read option exceptionally well. He also showed nice pocket presence and a big arm. His go to guy Sammy Watkins is going to be a top 10 draft pick so the criticism is that he had one of the best college players on his team to go to. The senior bowl did not help his performance, but like Russell Wilson all he needs is a chance to compete and coming to Philadelphia would be the perfect situation for Boyd who ran the no huddle in college, and is an exact replica of a "Chip Kelly QB". Stephen Morris is another mobile QB who needs a chance to get to a camp and develop his raw talents. This is the ideal scenario for the Eagles that could have Barkley and a young QB to battle for the backup job. This will not only help develop a rookie QB, but it will also push Barkley even more. As for free agency, unless Michael Vick decides to return to Philadelphia, there is not much to choose from in free agency. I would like to take this moment to make a quick statement on Michael Vick even if he leaves, we all in Philadelphia will be forever grateful.I want whats best for Michael Vick so if he gets a job somewhere else starting then go get it MV7 we all love what you did for us in Philadelphia even last year you were assential to keeping the team intact during the Cooper situation and much more.

Stuck in February of the Offseason, there is time for the Eagles to plan out what they will do to backup franchise QB...yes I said franchise QB Nick Foles.