After a pair of highly disappointing seasons for the Philadelphia Eagles following a particularly expensive free agency period that brought in players such as Jason Babin, Cullen Jenkins, Nnamdi Asomugha, and Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, it seems that the team is exploring some lower profile options.
Of course, the moves made are coming under a new regime after the team fired their longtime coach Andy Reid, who now coaches the Kansas City Chiefs. The Eagles brought in former Oregon Ducks head coach Chip Kelly, and they have already released all of these high profile free agents from the last regime to start anew.
To help the team’s conversion from a 4-3 defensive system to a 3-4 front, the Eagles have brought in former San Francisco 49ers defensive tackle Isaac Sopoaga, who, while not a starter, registered the fourth-highest number of snaps along one of the best defensive lines in football.
To provide a pass rush, the Eagles have brought in former Texans linebacker Connor Barwin. In an entirely rebuilt secondary, they have signed cornerbacks Cary Williams and Bradley Fletcher and safeties Patrick Chung and Kenny Phillips.
Phillips, of course, comes from the nearby New York Giants. A free agent coming off of a season derailed by injuries, during which he found his fill-in, late signing Stevie Brown, excel, Phillips is looking to regain his position as one of the rising safeties in the league, as he was in 2010-11.
Cary Williams comes from the Super Bowl champion Baltimore Ravens. He was a starting cornerback for them over the past two seasons; however, they had little interest in bringing him back.
That is because the team is content with the two starters that they expect to have next season, who missed much of 2012 due to injuries: Lardarius Webb and Jimmy Smith. Additionally, they were impressed with the play of Corey Graham and Chykie Brown enough to believe that they have the depth at the position required to withstand the loss of Williams.
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