2012 Free Agency Report: Defensive Backs
This is the 7th (and final) entry in a series of posts that take a look at how the Eagles might address each position in free agency this offseason, starting March 13th. Enjoy!
The Eagles’ secondary started the year with so much promise and while they weren’t terrible, ultimately had a disappointing year. At cornerback, the much-hyped Nnamdi Asomugha was a surprise signing and Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie was brought in via the Kevin Kolb trade with the Cardinals to join Pro Bowler Asante Samuel and excellent slot corner Joselio Hanson. Asomugha was a disappointment, failing to live up to his billing as an elite, shutdown corner. Some of that had to do with his puzzling usage by Juan Castillo, but Asomugha simply needed to play better. Samuel seemed uninterested at times and made his displeasure about trade rumors involving him known. Rodgers-Cromartie was an abject failure, struggling to adjust to playing inside in his new home in Philadelphia. At safety, Jarrad Page was brought in to compete with rookie Jaiquawn Jarrett, Nate Allen, and Kurt Coleman. Page was a disaster, and was quickly benched. Jarrett barely saw any playing time, as his most notable moment was being beaten by Larry Fitzgerald for a deep catch that led to a Cardinals win over the Eagles in Philadelphia. Allen looked terrible as he struggled to regain the form he had as a rookie before suffering a season-ending knee injury late in the year. Coleman, a 7th round pick in 2010, had flashes, like his 3 INT game of Rex Grossman in Week 5, but his miniscule frame and penchant for overly aggressive play were a continuing issue.
The Eagles are looking to deal Samuel, and even if he isn’t dealt he may be cut as a cap casualty. If he stays on the roster there definitely won’t be any moves at CB, but even if they do deal him there doesn’t figure to be a lot of action at cornerback. Asomugha and DRC would start on the outsides, presumably playing much more man-to-man coverage, which they are both much more effective in, while Hanson would play the nickel and 2nd year player Curtis Marsh would play the dime. Perhaps a veteran would be brought in to push Marsh, but it would be more likely that the Eagles would draft a corner in the late rounds. At safety, Page is gone and the trio of Jarrett, Allen, and Coleman remain. Jarrett is a big hitter who can come up and blitz or play the run effectively, but struggles in pass coverage. Allen is more of a centerfield-type safety, but he hasn’t been the same in pass coverage since his injury. These two would figure to be the starting safeties this year, with Coleman waiting in reserve for either/or to stumble or suffer an injury. The Eagles probably aren’t ready to give up on 2nd round picks in back-to-back years quite yet. However, if they decide to bring in a veteran safety, there are options in free agency.
The best option (and the one I think they should pursue) is signing LaRon Landry from the Redskins. He was a top 10 selection a few
years ago, and, when healthy was an outstanding player. In just 8 games last year, he totaled 45 tackles, 1.5 sacks, and 1 FF. He is a heavy hitter who is also spectacular against the pass. He would be a game-changer in the Eagles secondary, as he would give them the option of blitzing and leaving the corners on an island as well as playing deep in a zone scheme. Landry is an absolute stud when healthy and he’s only 27. If he receives a clean bill of health from the Eagles’ team doctors he should be their #1 priority, along with addressing the MLB position. He could fit seamlessly with any of the 3 Eagles’ safeties and their diverse styles of play, making him even more attractive as a target. If he can’t stay healthy, the Eagles would still have the trio of Coleman-Allen-Jarrett to back him up.
Since most of the other good safeties in the free agent class were franchised (Tyvon Branch, Michael Griffin), the next best option is Dwight Lowery of Jacksonville. In his first year as a starter after being signed from the New York Jets, Lowery had 36 tackles and 2 INTs in 11 games as a starter for Jacksonville. He’s much more of a coverage-type safety, so his best playing partner in the Eagles backfield would probably be Jarrett or Coleman. Regardless, he’s a talented player, and the Eagles need talent at the safety position. If they can’t sign Landry, Lowery is the next-best option.
Other safeties the Eagles could look at in free agency:
Mike Adams (CLE): Very average player, but would still be an upgrade at safety and would be a model of consistency, which is needed at safety for the Eagles. However, their money is probably better spent elsewhere on the defense.
Jim Leonhard (NYJ): Undersized, but a sure tackler and has a nose for the ball. Basically a rich man’s version of Kurt Coleman. Often injured, had his season end in December with injuries the past 2 seasons. May not be ready for the start of the season this year.