03/14/03
The Eagles mitigated the depletion of their Linebacker Corp by negotiating a four year contract with outstanding OLB Nate Wayne who was cut by Green Bay in an effort by the Packers to create some cap room. If DE Hugh Douglas leaves the Eagle’s Nest, Philadelphia will go after Green Bay’s RFA DE Kabeer Gbaja-Biamila. The Packers will need that Cap Room to stave off the Eagle’s advance.
Nate Wayne, Green Bay’s leading tackler last year, brings speed and aggression. Although Shawn Barber was a big play OLB, Nate Wayne is an improvement.
Mark Simoneau, recently acquired from Atlanta and quickly dubbed the starting WILL, will now be considered at ILB. Simoneau is fast but he is inexperienced, unproven, and does not have the size to plug the middle. Look for the Eagles to use one of their top three draft picks for a linebacker.
Unfortunately, with the good, comes the bad. It was also announced today that ILB Barry Gardener has signed with the Cleveland Browns. Barry was a fine young man. We wish him all the best!