Eagles Make Deadline Deal
This entry was posted on Oct 20 2009
They’ve acquired linebacker Will Witherspoon from the Rams for Brandon Gibson and a 2010 fifth round draft pick.
Witherspoon had been playing the weakside linebacker position for the Rams, but has also played the middle.
More details to come.
well, i am all for acquiring a (hopefully) better fit at mlb, but for gibson? he is a good young talent with a lot of promise. i wish that it would have been reggie brown and that 5th. bah
Rich P- I had the same thought you did. Why Gibson? Brown seemed more expendable. But I think a lot may have to do with the ongoing injury Curtis is dealing with. They may be scared he won’t see the field again this season and feel Brown gives them a better option than Gibson. If Witherspoon can play pass AND run I can handle losing Gibson.
A few thoughts, guys –
You do have to give up something to get something. Gibson isn’t ever going to be a great NFL receiver, but if the Rams wanted him instead of Brown the Eagles really weren’t in a position to strong-arm them — the Eagles were desperate (see Gaither’s injury).
Also, the Birds would take a pretty big cap hit if they traded Brown. I think the figure is close to $6 mil (those long, prorated salaries can hamstring the organization too).
The trade, IMO, is a great one for the Birds. Witherspoon is an upgrade over Gaither. And we don’t even want to consider the other within the current roster options. Ugly.
Just read on the team’s site that Gaither will have surgery on his foot and Reid said he is most likely lost for the season. Not sure what the team did to piss off the football gods but they’re really taking it out on their linebackers. Lets hope Witherspoon is the last name we’ll see listed as a starter at Mike for the rest of the year.
If Gaither is lost for the season and gets moved to IR any thoughts on who/what position they might fill up his spot with?
Badger — can you imagine if the Gaither injury happened this week instead of last? There likely would never have been a trade for Witherspoon, and this team would be in real trouble. Very fortunate (in a strange way, I know) there.
Tough guessing who they might bring in if Gaither goes to IR. The practice squad currently consists of a bunch of guys who aren’t a threat to help this team any time soon. None of them are a linebacker.
well after 17 minutes into mnf, i have to retract my statement and say good trade. lol what a start… forced fumble int and a td. welcome to philly!