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EAGLES BRING BACK SHAWN BARBER
After three seasons with the Kansas City Chiefs, linebacker Shawn Barber was cut and then
quickly re-signed to a 1-year deal with the Philadelphia Eagles. Barber played the weakside
linebacker position for the Eagles in 2002. He played and started in all 16 games that season,
which ended in the cold last game ever at Veteran's Stadium against the Tampa Bay Bucs in the
NFC Championship Game. "I didn't sign here in order to retire. I signed back here to come
back here and make plays and do what I do, and that's play at a very high level." Barber then
started 16 games and recorded 141 tackles, along with five sacks, in 2003 in Kansas City.
On November 7, 2004, Barber tore his ACL in his left knee and missed the rest of the season
and all but 3 games this past season. Barber left Philly with a huge contract and now is back
just like Jeremiah Trotter. Hopefully, he'll play good enough to earn another contract as Trotter
signed in the last off-season.
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DARREN HOWARD SIGNS 6-YEAR DEAL
The Eagles may have missed out on the LeCharles Bentley sweepstakes, but they won on
the signing of Darren Howard. Howard should add a lot and relive some of the extra
pressure on Jevon Kearse who is often double teamed. Howard recorded only 3-sacks last
season as the Saints suffered a horrendous season of difficulty due to Hurricane Katrina.
He did twice record two 11-sack seasons, forcing the Saints to put the franchise tag on
him. But not this time and he quickly bolted to the the Birds' Nest. Adding Howard should
make a huge difference with the defense ranked 26th is sacks last season. They ranked 3rd in
2004 on the way to the Super Bowl. The Eagles defense mandates a good pass rush and last season
that was almost non-existant. With both Barber and Howard onboard, the Eagles defense has already
improved significantly since the end of last season. Now we'll see what they do in the draft
for defensive tackle.
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TERRELL OWENS IS FINALLY RELEASED BY BIRDS
Owens finally is free to play for any team willing to have him after being released by
the Philadelphia Eagles on Tuesday. The exiled Owens was due a $5 million roster bonus
on Wednesday, so the Eagles had to cut him or trade him before then to avoid paying the money.
The move was a formality because Owens was kicked off the team in November following a series
of incidents and infractions, including repeated criticism of quarterback Donovan McNabb.
The Eagles announced the cut in a one-sentence statement, a fitting way to end a tumultuous,
two-year relationship. Team officials said they would not comment.
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EAGLES SIGN JEFF GARCIA TO BACKUP QB
Jeff Garcia knows how to run the West Coast Offense. He will be able to come in a play
effieciently and confidently, if Donovan McNabb gets injured. "He's got great experience,
a wealth of experience and just as recently as a few years ago, he was in the Pro Bowl,"
said offensive coordinator Marty Mornhinweg. "He knows this offense in and out. He's an
athletic quarterback, he makes things happen ... I think he'll give a little support to
Donovan (McNabb) both with his experience and his knowledge of the offense. We're happy
to have Jeff here." A seven-year veteran and three-time Pro Bowl player, Garcia enjoyed
his best years in San Francisco (1999-2003), where he posted five straight seasons of
2,500 passing yards or more. Between 2000 and 2001, Garcia threw for 7,816 yards and
63 touchdowns. The 36-year-old Garcia started five of his six games with the Lions,
completing 102 of 173 passes for 937 yards, with three touchdown passes and six
interceptions. And even if he does not play, he'll be more valuable to Donovan than
Mike McMahon will ever be. McMahon and Detmer both may now be released. Garcia is a
proven quarterback in the NFL and he is definitely an upgrade from last season.
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EAGLES DRAFTING TWO BIG MEN IN FIRST TWO ROUNDS
The Philadelphia Eagles got perhaps the best defensive tackle in all of the draft with the
14th pick overall when they selected Brodrick Bunkley form Florida State. Even though DT
Mario Williams was slected first overall by the Houston Texans, some experts rave even more
when talking about Bunkley. Along with last year's No. 1 draft pick, Mike Patterson, the Eagles
have a pair of defensive tackles that can develop into long-term standouts. Bunkley is listed
at 6-2 and 306 pounds. Last year at Florida State, he had 25 TFL (tackles for loss) and nine
sacks, which is a rare number of big plays for an inside lineman. He was also a first-team
All-American selection. He will challenge Darwin Walker for the second starting spot, but he
will definitely be a part of Jim Johnson's four-man rotation. In the second round at pick #39,
the Eagles chose Winston Justice, a 6-6, 319-pound giant protected the blindside of Matt Leinart
at USC last season playing the right tackle position. He'll probably compete right away at left
guard and will also learn both tackle spots. Justice has tremendous upside and is a proven winner
playing with USC during their prolific winning streak. "I'm just looking forward to playing, if
it's at the right or left tackle," said Justice. "I can play left, I can play right, I just want
to get on the field and play." In the sixt round, the Eagles also drafted DT LaJuan Ramsey, also
from USC. That makes it 3 big men alone in two years who were drafted from USC by the Eagles.
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BIRDS FINALLY DECIDE TO RE-SIGN JON RUNYAN
Jon Runyan came to the Eagles six seasons ago from the Tennessee Titans. It was 2000 and
Donovan McNabb was entering his second season and really first season as the team's QB.
Now, Runyan will return for 3 more years to help protect the man who needs to be healthy
if the Eagles are to return to the playoffs. So on March 24 Runyan signed a three-year deal
to remain with the Eagles, his football home for the last six seasons. His family is the
main reason why he decided to wait it out with the Eagles instead of touring the free-agent
market like he did six years ago. "It was a situation where I had to see if there was an
opportunity elsewhere to take financial advantage somewhere else," Runyan said. With Runyan
back in the fold and left tackle William "Tra" Thomas working his way back following surgery,
the Eagles have their bookend tackles locked up through 2008.
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WR DONTE STALLWORTH TRADED TO EAGLES
After ridding of the cancer of Terrell Owens, the Eagles have traded for perhaps what
will be called the anti-T.O. The Eagles have made a trade for a first-class wide receiver
and perhaps a future pro=bowler at that when they aquired Donte' Stallworth. He will add
speed and quickness along with a proven track record. The Eagles traded a conditional
fourth-round draft pick and reserve linebacker Mark Simoneau to the New Orleans Saints
for the wide receiver. One of the league's most dangerous deep threats, Stallworth (6-0, 196)
is entering his fifth professional season after originally being drafted by the Saints with
the 13th overall pick in the 2002 draft. Last season, Stallworth had a stellar year with
70 receptions for 945 yards and seven touchdowns. His touchdown total was his highest since
his rookie season when he set a team rookie record with eight scores. He will certainly
provide McNabb with a very suitable traget to throw to and perhaps T.O. will be forgotten
after his first few games.
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