PHILADELPHIA -- A week following the departure of left guard Evan Mathis from Chip Kelly's graces, the Eagles boss on Tuesday addressed what exactly his thinking was behind the move. Many were wondering why the club didn't seek a trade for him, getting anything in return, before cutting him without any money.
Mathis, apparently, was listening.
"We waited as long as we could to trade Evan," Kelly said at the team's workouts this afternoon, also complimenting on his effort last season, despite the time he missed.
Kelly also said that Mathis asked to be released from the team several times, and that they granted his request only because they didn't want to pay him any more money and that if Mathis didn't want to be there, then they didn't want him there.
Which contradicts the long standing rumors around the franchise that no words had been exchanged between they and Mathis during the entire offseason.
Mathis responded shortly after Kelly spoke, per Geoff Mosher of CSN Philadelphia.
"I would have played under the contract and been fine -- like last year," Mathis said, who also added that the he did ask to be cut once in March.
"I can block stuff out and not let it be a distraction," he added. "I missed voluntary stuff, but I was still working hard. It doesn't mean I was going to be a bad apple. I would never do that."
The Eagles could have cut Mathis had he shown up sooner for camp, though with him making that appearance would have been due his whole $5.5 million salary, even in the event of a season-ending injury.
Regardless of all that, the Eagles still find themselves in a quandary up front. In a group deprived of depth and that last season was plagued by injuries, many thought the team would look to add some youth through the draft or some experience through free agency. It's not like Kelly was a shrinking violet during the offseason in his new position.
But nothing came -- that is, until they signed Jared Wheeler, a man who hasn't played a down of pro football.
Like these moves, every win and loss the Eagles take this season will be the personal property of Chip Kelly. Time will only tell if he's heralded as among the best in the game or a man looking for a job alongside Evan Mathis.
PHILADELPHIA -- In a better-late-than-never effort to provide some depth to their offensive line, the Eagles signed Jared Wheeler on Monday to a one-year contract following a private workout, according to multiple sources.
The Eagles released long-time left guard Evan Mathis last week after the eleven-year veteran stayed away from voluntary OTAs in relation to a $1 million per year pay raise that eventually never came.
Wheeler was picked up by the Seahawks as an undrafted free agent from Miami (Fla.), also playing for the Panthers and Bills during his first professional campaign. Though he's likely to not see much, if any, starting time when the regular season arrives, having not seen any action yet in his short career.
Which leaves the Eagles still in the market for a young, and even somewhat experienced, offensive lineman for their coming season. Jason Peters at left tackle is 33 and Allen Barbre, Mathis' likely replacement will turn 31 this month. Andrew Gardiner, Matt Tobin, and Lane Johnson fill out the rest of the group.
But there's no denying the Eagles have taken a serious hit as they look to improve on their fifth-best total offense.
When a 33-year-old man retires from any business, it's because he's done extraordinarly well, or was an unmitigated failure.
A bit of both could be said of Jason Campbell, who plans to announce his retirement following an eleven year professional campaign with five franchises.
Campbell, who declined offers from the Bengals and Ravens following last season, fell victim to that all-too-common NFL disease, being a moderately good talent that could have done something if he wasn't shackled to some legendarily awful teams.
A first-round pick to the Redskins out of Auburn in 2005, he last started in 2014, throwing 19 pass attempts as Andy Dalton's backup with the Bengals.
He spent five seasons with Washington, tallying 52 starts, before the arrival of Donovan McNabb, suddenly finding himself in Oakland. As per Raiders tradition, it went downhill from there. A six-game starting stint ended after he broke his collarbone in 2011, resulting in the eventual trade for Carson Palmer from the Bengals. He started a game for Chicago the following season and eight for Cleveland the year after, going 1-7 for the Browns.
He compiled a 32-47 career record in the professional ranks, tossing a respectable 87 touchdowns to 60 interceptions.
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NASHVILLE, Tenn. - Titans running back Shonn Greene didn't show at the team's voluntary offseason workout program as he chose to stay at home with his newborn son.
As those workouts turn mandatory this week, though, it looks like the seven-year veteran will make an appearance as scheduled, according to the Tennessean.
It's not surprising that Greene has announced his arrival there, as he would have been subject to fines following any absence. But with the current situation in the Titans backfield, one wonders what he could do to improve his stature with the franchise.
He won't exactly be the only option when he arrives at St. Thomas Sports Park.
Greene is currently expected to hold the third-string position behind Bishop Sankey and rookie fifth-rounder David Cobb. He carried 171 times in two seasons for 687 yards in Nashville. Due to collect $3.25 million, he isn't much of an option catching passes out of the backfield, either, so he'll have his work cut out for him as he looks to keep his job.
IRVING, Tex. -- Last but not least, the Cowboys inked their final draft selection, signing defensive back Byron Jones, the team announced on Thursday.
Eventually picked No. 27 overall, Jones stunned at the NFL Combine in February, breaking the record for the longest broad jump of 12 feet, and coming inches short of the best all-time vertical.
The deal is for four years, worth $8.6 million with $7 million in guaranteed money and a $4.515 million signing bonus.
A dazzling athlete at Connecticut, Jones is expected (more hoped) to make an immediate impact in the Cowboys' needy secondary. Dallas posted the 26th-best pass defense last season, allowing 252 yards thrown against them every Sunday, though allowed comparatively few touchdowns (22) and the fifth-most interceptions (18).
The club are still to decide what position he will start, mentioning during the draft that his flexibility was a plus for them. He featured largely at corner during team OTAs before moving to safety this week.
Which contradicts the long standing rumors around the franchise that no words had been exchanged between they and Mathis during the entire offseason.
