Eagles Sign Nnamdi Asomugha; Phillies Trade For Hunter Pence

The Philadelphia Eagles signed Nnamdi Asomugha to a fair and reasonable 5-year deal. He will join Doninique Rodgers-Cromartie and presumably Asante Samuel in making sure opposing teams never complete a pass against the Eagles again. Unless of course Samuel is traded. Even if the value is good, that would be poop pants, considering Joselio Hanson would then be the nickel corner behind DRC and Asomugha. But signing Asomugha is seriously, seriously awesome.

The Philadelphia Phillies traded Jarred Cosart, Jonathan Singleton, Josh Zeid, and one low A ball player to be named later in exchange for Hunter Pence and enough cash to prevent the Phillies from crossing the luxury tax threshold. While no A prospect is can't miss, it is sucky that Cosart and Singleton are traded, as they have potentially very high ceilings. Josh Zeid is in AA now and could be in the majors as a middle reliever next year. Unfortunately, Hunter Pence is largely overrated and represents at best a marginal upgrade over the man in the outfield he will likely be taking time from, Domonic Brown. At this stage, the wise thing would be to send Brown back to AAA and let him practice left field until the September 1 call-ups. Brown's only played 8 total games in LF in his time in the Phillies system. Pence appears like a lock to slot into right field. Get Brown reps in left now. The only thing that makes me relieved about this Pence deal is that contrary to what was reported earlier, Brown was not traded. Pence's BABIP is 5th highest in the majors thus far this year. Regression can be a bitch. Pence is good, but he is not great. But at least Domonic Brown is still on the Phillies. At the start of the day, that is basically all I asked for to be true by the end of the day. And sure enough, it is.

The Eagles Front Office are the top Front Office in Philadelphia. And that has never been more clearer than today. Amaro has his moments of glory (Lee trade #1, Halladay, Oswalt, Lee signing), but when he fucks up, he sure know how to go for the jugular (selling low on Lee trade #2, Howard's contract, Ibanez signing and contract, selling low on Cosart and Singleton for the 25th best outfielder in MLB). Eagles are shrewd. Amaro is a gambling addict. Nowak blames fans. Holmgren can't do math . Stefanski does not have a clue.

Eagles Wild Card Weekend Recap: Defensive Failings Make Me Want Asomugha

• "Asomugha’s deal included a little-known clause that said his contract would void if he didn’t achieve his not-likely-to-be-earned incentives in 2010 -- and he didn'’t. His contract also contained a stipulation that if he didn’t achieve his incentives, the Raiders would agree not to designate him their franchise or transition player."
• The Eagles inept defense cost them this game.  That is all.
• I said at the beginning of the year that I expected a seven to nine win team.  I certainly did not expect them to win the NFC East.  But that is indeed what they did in a year that was seen as a rebuilding year.  Instead of Kolb, though, the Eagles did it with Vick who hopefully will sign an extension to keep him in Philadelphia.  He should be back, but if it is too long, I will pull my hair out.  Vick takes a beating game after game so his durability is definitely a question mark, especially at his age of 30, turning 31 in June.  Eagles in all likelihood will give him the extension but hopefully it is not backloaded and hopefully it is not for more than 4-5 years.  The Eagles do not get to where they were without Michael Vick.
• I said at the beginning that if the difference between Vick and Kolb was a 1st round playoff loss versus not making the playoffs at all, the better option would be develop Kolb and miss the playoffs.  Little did I realize at the time that Vick would emerge as a franchise QB and likely NFL MVP runner-up.  So yeah, the Eagles have a QB, his name is Vick, and he should be back.
• I would expect at least a 2nd round pick for Kevin Kolb.  If the Eagles are lucky, maybe a 1st rounder.  Andrew Luck staying at Stanford will do nothing but increase Kolb's value a bit. 
• I want to be mad at Akers.  I really want to.  He missed 2 FGs costing the Eagles 6 points and the Eagles lost by 5.  But I know that the Eagles defense and McDermott are the real goats here.  Sure they only gave up 21 points, but the Packers dinked and dunked their way all game against them with relative ease.  It was not until the 4th quarter when the Packers got real conservative that they got their stops.  Their slow and methodical drives prevented the Eagles offense from getting on the field in the 1st half and establishing rhythm.  Basically the Packers ran the gameplan I wanted the Eagles to run. Fire McDermott.  I'm done with him.  Bring in John Fox if he is willing to take a defensive coordinator job.  Akers made his kicks all year and had one bad day.  One player can't be the sole reason the team loses.  On the other hand, an entire defensive unit coming up small in big situations is a very easy way to lose football games.  Unfortunately, Akers contract is up this year and he is talking post-game like the Eagles will not re-sign him.  Such a shame because even in spite of his bad game, he's still better than most kickers in the NFL, even at his age.
• Eagles need offensive linemen.  Many ones.  Many good ones.  Need them.  Now.  Mankins is available, try to go after him.  Or Tyson Clabo.  Or Carl Nicks.  Or Jared Gaither.  Someone.  Anyone.  Vick is getting creamed over here!
• Who am I rooting in the NFC now?  Fuck Atlanta.  Fuck Chicago.  Go Packers.  Go Seahawks.  If it is a Green Bay-Seattle NFC Championship game, I'll have to see how I'm feeling that day towards the Packers.
• What about in the AFC?  Fuck Pittsburgh.  Fuck New England.  Go Jets.  Go Ravens.  If it is a Jets-Ravens AFC Title game, I will be happy with either winning.  Jets for the Ryan family, Ravens for John Harbaugh, who I always liked (unlike a certain Vikings head coach who got fired this season).
• People will cry "Fire Reid!" over this, they always do when the Eagles lose.  But Reid's model of winning consistently just makes it a futile cry anymore.  Plus on top of that, he has made Mike Vick better than he has ever been.  The dude deserves some credit.  Who are you going to get that's better?
• I expect Marty Mornhinweg will be a head coach next year (I'm guessing he'll take the Stanford job; his son just committed there).  If so, the Eagles are high on their QB coach, James Urban.  He would probably be the next OC should Marty leave.
• This may have been a disappointing end to the season, but Philadelphia sports will continue:  Villanova will be making a run for the NCAA Tournament, the Flyers will be making a run at the NHL Playoffs, Spring Training will commence in  a little over month, the Sixers have a 1st round playoff loss and/or a decent draft pick to look forward to, and the Union will be entering their 2nd season with a lot of young players and promise.  If you are fans of multiple Philadelphia teams, there really is a lot to look forward to right now.
• Win probability graph.  This is painful to look at. (advancednflstats.com)

•  Lastly, a sad and somber rest in peace to Christina-Taylor Green, granddaughter of former Phillies manager Dallas Green.  Christina-Taylor was the 9 year old girl killed in yesterday's Tucson shootings.  Her birthday was 9/11/01.  She was born on the day of a tragic event, and ultimately, she died in a shooting equally as tragic.  RIP Christina-Taylor Green.  2001-2011.