Hostile
05-31-2004, 08:53 AM
By George, could Eagles have it?
Sunday, May 30, 2004
MARK ECKEL
How much - the key being much - would the Eagles like Eddie George to be a part of their backfield next season?
Last week in this space, it was reported that Tennessee is trying to restructure George's contract and keep him with the only NFL team he has ever played for. If they cannot strike a deal he will be released some time after June 1.
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Later in the week, it was reported by channel 10's and WIP's Howard Eskin that George, who grew up just outside Philadelphia, would like to play for the Eagles and would be willing to be a part of a backfield that also includes Brian Westbrook and Correll Buckhalter.
Again, the key is how much he would like to do that.
Here are the facts.
George is scheduled to earn $4.25 million this year. The Titans have asked him to reduce both his role and his salary. He had no problem with the reduced role, but has not been willing to accept the paycut to somewhere in the neighborhood of $2.1 million. The two sides are continuing to talk with hopes of having something done before the team has to release him for salary-cap purposes.
Titans owner Bud Adams told The Tennessean this week that he was "pessimistic" about getting a deal done with George, although the team already handed the running back a $1 million roster bonus back in March.
How does this affect the Eagles?
It may. Or it may not.
Head coach Andy Reid usually likes to keep five backs on the roster. He has gone with six at times, but he prefers five.
Buckhalter and Westbrook are set, along with fullback Jon Ritchie. It would be tough for the team to not keep fifth-round draft pick Thomas Tapeh, who could be Ritchie's backup and eventual successor as well as a short-yardage back.
Reid and offensive coordinator Brad Childress also have gone out of their way to talk up Reno Mahe and his role in the offense this season. That's five.
Plus - and this might still be a longshot - Eric McCoo, who was signed to the practice squad late last year, had a great spring in NFL Europe.
That's six.
George would certainly be a nice fit for a team like the Eagles, who are on the brink of a championship.
But at what cost?
George will turn 31 before the third game of the season and has 2,733 carries on his body. Last year he carried 312 times and averaged just 3.3 yards per carry.
If the Titans release him, the Eagles may make him an offer, but it's doubtful that it would be as much as what he is turning down from the Titans.
-- -- -- Speaking of McCoo, the former Penn State running back by way of Red Bank, led NFL Europe in rushing with 534 yards on 113 carries, good for an average of 4.7 yards per carry. He also caught 22 passes for another 198 yards, a 9.0 average.
It's a big jump from Europe to the NFL, but McCoo is going to be given a long look in training camp this summer at Lehigh.
-- -- -- It was interesting to hear Commissioner Paul Tagliabue say he wanted a team back in Los Angeles no later than the 2008 season. The NFL has not been in L.A. since the Rams left for St. Louis 10 years ago.
Since the league is happy with a 32-team format, that rules out an expansion team for Los Angeles, which means Tagliabue is suggesting that a current team do as the Clampetts did and pick up and move to Beverly - Hills that is.
With several teams either having or about to have new stadiums, it does not leave many choices for relocation.
Indianapolis is the most likely choice, but the Irsays are talking to the city about a new long-term deal and a new stadium. If that gets done, rule out the Colts.
Minnesota is always a possibility, but owner Red McCombs says he will keep his Vikings in the Twin Cities.
The Saints have not been real happy in New Orleans lately and owner Tom Benson has been having meetings with the local authorities as well.
Then again, there's the Raiders. Isn't it time they move again?
-- -- -- A friend of mine just returned from Las Vegas and gave me the Super Bowl odds from the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino.
There are some interesting numbers.
Start with the Eagles, who are the 7-2 favorites to win the NFC and are the 7-1 second choice to win their first-ever Super Bowl.
New England is both the AFC favorite at 3-1, and the 6-1 favorite to repeat as Super Bowl champs.
The Giants are 15-1 to win the NFC and 30-1 to win the Super Bowl. I'll take any action anyone wants on that.
The Jets are 12-1 to win the AFC and 25-1 to win the Super Bowl.
Some other interesting numbers: St. Louis and Tampa Bay are the next two favorites to win the NFC at 4-1 and 5-1, respectively. Personally, I don't like either one of those teams' chances.
Seattle, on the other hand, who I do like, is 15-1 to win the NFC and 30-1 for the Super Bowl, the same as the Giants. That makes no sense whatsoever.
Green Bay is 6-1 to win the NFC and 12-1 to win the Super Bowl, while Dallas and defending NFC champion Carolina are 7-1 for the NFC, 15-1 to win the Super Bowl.
The longshot in the NFC is Arizona at 75-1, and 150-1 to win the Super Bowl.
In the AFC, Tennessee (another team I'm not crazy about next season) is the co-second choice at 4-1, along with Indianapolis. Kansas City is 5-1, followed by Denver at 6-1 and Miami and Baltimore at 7-1.
Looking for a good longshot in the AFC? Buffalo is 20-1 and Cincinnati is 17-1.
Houston has the longest odds in the AFC at 65-1. While I don't think the Texans are ready to win the AFC, they could make a run for the playoffs.
-- -- -- Somebody has to explain to me what the Raiders are going to do with both Rich Gannon and Kerry Collins at quarterback.
Sunday, May 30, 2004
MARK ECKEL
How much - the key being much - would the Eagles like Eddie George to be a part of their backfield next season?
Last week in this space, it was reported that Tennessee is trying to restructure George's contract and keep him with the only NFL team he has ever played for. If they cannot strike a deal he will be released some time after June 1.
Information from Our Advertisers
Later in the week, it was reported by channel 10's and WIP's Howard Eskin that George, who grew up just outside Philadelphia, would like to play for the Eagles and would be willing to be a part of a backfield that also includes Brian Westbrook and Correll Buckhalter.
Again, the key is how much he would like to do that.
Here are the facts.
George is scheduled to earn $4.25 million this year. The Titans have asked him to reduce both his role and his salary. He had no problem with the reduced role, but has not been willing to accept the paycut to somewhere in the neighborhood of $2.1 million. The two sides are continuing to talk with hopes of having something done before the team has to release him for salary-cap purposes.
Titans owner Bud Adams told The Tennessean this week that he was "pessimistic" about getting a deal done with George, although the team already handed the running back a $1 million roster bonus back in March.
How does this affect the Eagles?
It may. Or it may not.
Head coach Andy Reid usually likes to keep five backs on the roster. He has gone with six at times, but he prefers five.
Buckhalter and Westbrook are set, along with fullback Jon Ritchie. It would be tough for the team to not keep fifth-round draft pick Thomas Tapeh, who could be Ritchie's backup and eventual successor as well as a short-yardage back.
Reid and offensive coordinator Brad Childress also have gone out of their way to talk up Reno Mahe and his role in the offense this season. That's five.
Plus - and this might still be a longshot - Eric McCoo, who was signed to the practice squad late last year, had a great spring in NFL Europe.
That's six.
George would certainly be a nice fit for a team like the Eagles, who are on the brink of a championship.
But at what cost?
George will turn 31 before the third game of the season and has 2,733 carries on his body. Last year he carried 312 times and averaged just 3.3 yards per carry.
If the Titans release him, the Eagles may make him an offer, but it's doubtful that it would be as much as what he is turning down from the Titans.
-- -- -- Speaking of McCoo, the former Penn State running back by way of Red Bank, led NFL Europe in rushing with 534 yards on 113 carries, good for an average of 4.7 yards per carry. He also caught 22 passes for another 198 yards, a 9.0 average.
It's a big jump from Europe to the NFL, but McCoo is going to be given a long look in training camp this summer at Lehigh.
-- -- -- It was interesting to hear Commissioner Paul Tagliabue say he wanted a team back in Los Angeles no later than the 2008 season. The NFL has not been in L.A. since the Rams left for St. Louis 10 years ago.
Since the league is happy with a 32-team format, that rules out an expansion team for Los Angeles, which means Tagliabue is suggesting that a current team do as the Clampetts did and pick up and move to Beverly - Hills that is.
With several teams either having or about to have new stadiums, it does not leave many choices for relocation.
Indianapolis is the most likely choice, but the Irsays are talking to the city about a new long-term deal and a new stadium. If that gets done, rule out the Colts.
Minnesota is always a possibility, but owner Red McCombs says he will keep his Vikings in the Twin Cities.
The Saints have not been real happy in New Orleans lately and owner Tom Benson has been having meetings with the local authorities as well.
Then again, there's the Raiders. Isn't it time they move again?
-- -- -- A friend of mine just returned from Las Vegas and gave me the Super Bowl odds from the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino.
There are some interesting numbers.
Start with the Eagles, who are the 7-2 favorites to win the NFC and are the 7-1 second choice to win their first-ever Super Bowl.
New England is both the AFC favorite at 3-1, and the 6-1 favorite to repeat as Super Bowl champs.
The Giants are 15-1 to win the NFC and 30-1 to win the Super Bowl. I'll take any action anyone wants on that.
The Jets are 12-1 to win the AFC and 25-1 to win the Super Bowl.
Some other interesting numbers: St. Louis and Tampa Bay are the next two favorites to win the NFC at 4-1 and 5-1, respectively. Personally, I don't like either one of those teams' chances.
Seattle, on the other hand, who I do like, is 15-1 to win the NFC and 30-1 for the Super Bowl, the same as the Giants. That makes no sense whatsoever.
Green Bay is 6-1 to win the NFC and 12-1 to win the Super Bowl, while Dallas and defending NFC champion Carolina are 7-1 for the NFC, 15-1 to win the Super Bowl.
The longshot in the NFC is Arizona at 75-1, and 150-1 to win the Super Bowl.
In the AFC, Tennessee (another team I'm not crazy about next season) is the co-second choice at 4-1, along with Indianapolis. Kansas City is 5-1, followed by Denver at 6-1 and Miami and Baltimore at 7-1.
Looking for a good longshot in the AFC? Buffalo is 20-1 and Cincinnati is 17-1.
Houston has the longest odds in the AFC at 65-1. While I don't think the Texans are ready to win the AFC, they could make a run for the playoffs.
-- -- -- Somebody has to explain to me what the Raiders are going to do with both Rich Gannon and Kerry Collins at quarterback.