Gunzlingr
03-03-2005, 10:59 AM
The Eagles reached contract agreements yesterday with their running back who has two surgically repaired knees and their veteran defensive end who recently underwent shoulder surgery.
Meanwhile, linebacker Jeremiah Trotter and his two surgically repaired knees spent the evening in Kansas City, where he was being courted by coach Dick Vermeil's defensively challenged Chiefs.
Trotter spent last night in Kansas City, and a report on ESPN said he was primed to accept an offer of a long-term deal from the Chiefs.
Meanwhile running back Correll Buckhalter, after missing last season with a torn tendon in his right knee, decided to rejoin the Eagles by signing a two-year deal that includes incentives for the second season based on what he does in 2005.
Defensive end Hugh Douglas, meanwhile, has agreed to a one-year deal with the Eagles that will be finalized in the next day or so.
"Hugh definitely wanted to come back," his agent, Drew Rosenhaus, said from his Miami Beach office. "He's very excited, because now he knows he won't ever play for another team besides the Eagles again."
Douglas, 33, returned to the Eagles from Jacksonville in 2004 and spent most of the season as a reserve behind Derrick Burgess, who also hit the free-agent market yesterday. The popular veteran defensive end registered three sacks, but by the time the team reached the postseason, he had a severe injury to his right shoulder that required surgery. Douglas, if he fully recovers from the surgery, could end up competing with N.D. Kalu in training camp for a starting job at right defensive end.
Like Douglas, Trotter returned to the Eagles last season after leaving for a bigger contract with another team. Unlike Douglas, Trotter appears ready to repeat that process.
The Chiefs are interested in Trotter and also planned to meet with Baltimore's Edgerton Hartwell, who also is considered one of the best inside linebackers on the free-agent market.
There was a report yesterday that Trotter has planned visits to Seattle and Atlanta. The Eagles have an offer on the table to Trotter, but it obviously was not satisfactory to the linebacker or his agent, Jimmy Sexton.
Eagles president Joe Banner said he spoke briefly with Sexton yesterday, but it was not to discuss a deal. It is believed that Trotter will continue his visit with the Chiefs today. Kansas City is in the market for a middle linebacker but really needs more help on pass defense, which isn't Trotter's strength.
Kansas City allowed the most passing yards in the league last season and finished next to last in total yards allowed. The Chiefs' run defense was a respectable 12th in the league, but the team still allowed the fourth-most points and finished 7-9.
The 26-year-old Buckhalter said he was happy to return to the team that drafted him in 2001 and has seen him through two rehabilitations after operations on each knee.
more (http://www.philly.com/mld/inquirer/sports/11035708.htm)
Meanwhile, linebacker Jeremiah Trotter and his two surgically repaired knees spent the evening in Kansas City, where he was being courted by coach Dick Vermeil's defensively challenged Chiefs.
Trotter spent last night in Kansas City, and a report on ESPN said he was primed to accept an offer of a long-term deal from the Chiefs.
Meanwhile running back Correll Buckhalter, after missing last season with a torn tendon in his right knee, decided to rejoin the Eagles by signing a two-year deal that includes incentives for the second season based on what he does in 2005.
Defensive end Hugh Douglas, meanwhile, has agreed to a one-year deal with the Eagles that will be finalized in the next day or so.
"Hugh definitely wanted to come back," his agent, Drew Rosenhaus, said from his Miami Beach office. "He's very excited, because now he knows he won't ever play for another team besides the Eagles again."
Douglas, 33, returned to the Eagles from Jacksonville in 2004 and spent most of the season as a reserve behind Derrick Burgess, who also hit the free-agent market yesterday. The popular veteran defensive end registered three sacks, but by the time the team reached the postseason, he had a severe injury to his right shoulder that required surgery. Douglas, if he fully recovers from the surgery, could end up competing with N.D. Kalu in training camp for a starting job at right defensive end.
Like Douglas, Trotter returned to the Eagles last season after leaving for a bigger contract with another team. Unlike Douglas, Trotter appears ready to repeat that process.
The Chiefs are interested in Trotter and also planned to meet with Baltimore's Edgerton Hartwell, who also is considered one of the best inside linebackers on the free-agent market.
There was a report yesterday that Trotter has planned visits to Seattle and Atlanta. The Eagles have an offer on the table to Trotter, but it obviously was not satisfactory to the linebacker or his agent, Jimmy Sexton.
Eagles president Joe Banner said he spoke briefly with Sexton yesterday, but it was not to discuss a deal. It is believed that Trotter will continue his visit with the Chiefs today. Kansas City is in the market for a middle linebacker but really needs more help on pass defense, which isn't Trotter's strength.
Kansas City allowed the most passing yards in the league last season and finished next to last in total yards allowed. The Chiefs' run defense was a respectable 12th in the league, but the team still allowed the fourth-most points and finished 7-9.
The 26-year-old Buckhalter said he was happy to return to the team that drafted him in 2001 and has seen him through two rehabilitations after operations on each knee.
more (http://www.philly.com/mld/inquirer/sports/11035708.htm)