Another source confirmed my last report that the Eagles are indeed going after a top-flight wide receiver and that Larry Fitzgerald is at the top of that list.
As I said previously, this will require the efforts of Head Coach/VP Andy Reid, General Manager Tom Heckert and salary capologist Joe Banner, as they will need to work out compensation with the Arizona Cardinals as well as restructure Fitzgerald’s current ridiculous deal. He is scheduled to make $14.6 million in 2008 with a total cap number of $16.5 million.
The source also mentioned that Patriots free-agent cornerback Asante Samuel is on the radar as well. This would dovetail with another rumor that has Lito Sheppard wanting a new contract shortly, if not now. While both the Eagles and Sheppard have said that any notion that they have given him permission to seek a trade is false, Sheppard did tell Comcast Sportsnet’s Derek Gunn that he should be paid like a top corner. Maybe he is a top corner, but it’s tough to tell when he’s on the injury report so often.
While I am not reporting that all of these things will happen, what was clear from my source is that the Eagles are not resting on their laurels this off-season. They want to add weapons for Donovan McNabb and infuse playmakers throughout the roster.
How it all plays out remains to be seen, but this is good news for Eagles fans who want the organization to make the push required to get the city a championship.