Sometimes, it's better to be lucky than good. Notably, Philadelphia Eagles GM Howie Roseman might be both. While trading for Jaire Alexander could've been good on paper, recent history isn't on his side.
That's why, now that Alexander's stepped away from the game to focus on his mental and physical health, the Eagles may have caught a big break. That's even after the Pittsburgh Steelers lured CB Asante Samuel Jr. to their team.
Jaire Alexander's Decision Can Help The Eagles
The Eagles acquired Alexander from the Baltimore Ravens in a series of moves to bolster the defense. They also added Jaelan Phillips and Michael Carter II to the mix, and while they were all positive moves, there were still doubts about the former Green Bay Packers star.
Now, with a roster spot opening up, they can spoil the Steelers' plans by simply signing Samuel off their practice squad and straight to their 53-man roster. It would be a gamble, given his recent history of injuries, but so was Alexander, and they still chose to roll the dice on him.
Not so long ago, Jaire Alexander was considered to be one of the few true shutdown cornerbacks in the league. Unfortunately, injuries and some character issues got in the way, so the Packers came to the conclusion he wasn't worth the trouble and the money anymore. He signed with the Baltimore Ravens, but he was a non-factor.
The Eagles have struggled to find a playable cornerback opposite Cooper DeJean this season. And with Quinyon Mitchell better suited to play in the slot, this is an issue that should still keep defensive coordinator Vic Fangio up at night.
Asante Samuel Jr. is a former second-round pick. He's got solid coverage skills and a great nose for the ball, and now that he's been fully cleared to play, there's no reason to believe this team shouldn't try to get him from the Steelers' practice squad.
Howie Roseman has always been about making low-risk/high-reward moves, and this one fits that mold. They wouldn't even be on the hook for the long run or have to pay Samuel a lot of money to get him to the City of Brotherly Love.
It's become painfully evident that neither Adoree' Jackson nor Kelee Ringo is good enough to start right now. And with this team sitting on a league-best 7-2 record and looking to get back to the biggest game of the season, it's time to roll the dice again.