Eagles Have Pieces Cardinals Need?
 |
Pieces of an interview that Cardinals’ Head Coach Kent Whisenhunt did today with the media are being made public via Kent Somers’ blog on azcentral.com.
In it Whisenhunt states that there is nothing new (or good) to report on the Anquan Boldin front. Boldin and Drew Rosenhaus met with Cardinals officials weeks ago but no offers were exchanged and no details have been released.
Of interest, however, was Whisenhunts thoughts on what the Cardinals need to address in terms of team weaknesses. Specifically he stated the outside linebacker position — a position the Eagles have talented, starting-level youth in excess. Could Omar Gaither, a player who will only be 25 when the season starts, be a part of a trade package?
It could make sense for both teams. Gaither has been rumored to draw interest from other teams, but the Eagles have hung on to him. If the Eagles could put together something like Gaither and a reasonable draft pick, perhaps the Cardinals would be interested.
Update: We’ve received a few emails that share a “yeah, right” tone. Look, this is pure speculation that was just for fun. But if you think Gaither and a pick for a disgruntled Boldin is a far-fetched idea you don’t understand the players or the dynamics of NFL trades.
First, Boldin isn’t young any longer — he’ll turn 29 this year. And he has a pretty extensive injury history. Yes, he’s a very, very good player. But he’s still got some serious negatives. Two, Gaither has shown the ability to play as a starter in the NFL. He’s 25 and he can get better and have a long career. He’s not just fodder.
Giving up Gaither, when he’s very inexpensive in 2009 and still under team control after that (RFA) is something the Eagles would be very careful about doing.
On top of that, if Boldin and Rosenhaus take this situation to places the Cardinals don’t wish it to go (which is probably the only way he gets traded anyway) — the organization isn’t going to have much leverage. You rarely get even money for disgruntled players.