After watching the Eagles closely, I have theory I'm confident holds water. This is piece-mailed together from interviews, articles and management decisions.
The theory is they are
obsessed with value. For the most part, they do not believe in the term
"mutually beneficial exchange".
Not when it comes to signing players or making trades.
Look at their draft day action. They are twice as busy than anyone burning up the phones. And are notoriously difficult to deal with. Insisting they get a few bonus chart point on every exchange.
They put out a ton of feelers on trades, identify the most eager trading partners and then attempt to fleece them. Can't really argue with strategy because it works.
You have to wonder if they're spending more time trying to create value through trades than they are on acquiring the best rookies that fill needs.
When it comes to signing players they can't stand a
"fair fight".
In every player negotiation they must have the
hammer, they must have the
leverage. That's why they are so big on giving longer,
low ball deals to young guys in their 2nd and 3rd year. They dangle financial security and the young guy often can't resist.
See the Hamlin negotiation Jones just went through, never would've happen in Philly. They would've sized this up with the bad comparison deals just given to safties and quickly realized their was no bargin to be had.
They never would have franchised him, they would have let him sign elsewhere without even making an offer.
Doesn't matter how important the player is or how close they are to a SB.
Best example of this was 2002. They let PB MLB Trotter walk in FA. Absolute killer move, cause it killed their best chance at a SB. They beat TB in the NFC Championship game with Trotter.
