On Friday we passed along word that free agent defensive end Aaron Kampman was visiting Philadelphia, and then we passed along word that the visit had been canceled. So what happened?
According to Tom Silverstein of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Kampman’s agent, Neil Cornrich, called off the visit because the Eagles weren’t willing to commit to any kind of financial offer.
Cornrich apparently doesn’t want to send Kampman all over the country on visits unless he’s sure Kampman is going somewhere that there’s a real chance he’ll end up signing.
Then again, Kampman blew out his knee in November, and it might be hard for a team to make any kind of commitment before its doctors have thoroughly examined that knee. It’s hard to blame the Eagles for declining to commit to any type of financial offer if they don’t know how far Kampman has come along in the rehabilitation process.
The one team that is clearly showing interest in Kampman is Jacksonville.
The 30-year-old Kampman has played his entire eight-year career with the Packers but is not expected to return to Green Bay.
Jacksonville is transitioning to a 34 defense. He needs to go to a 43 defense. Carolina would be a solid place for him.
Please do not go to NE.
Kampmans in a tough spot. This means he doesn’t have as much leverage to drive up his asking price. What are teams supposed to do when they aren’t even sure he’ll be ready for the season?
Hugh mistake by Philly. Hello Jacksonville
I think Carolina needs to get a look at this guy.
Obvioulsy The Eagles have had their fill of bad knees and torn ligamants so if they’re not able to kick the tires on Kampman then let him stew in Jacksonville.
Hey Vox big news, now you can spend your Saturday night posting about it
Same ol’ 0-3gles. “We tried to sign some free agents but it didn’t work out, we feel confident that we can address any areas of need in the draft”
“Then again, Kampman blew out his knee in November, and it might be hard for a team to make any kind of commitment before its doctors have thoroughly examined that knee.”
meh, they offered Vick a contract sight unseen after playing the prison booty role for almost two years. And a bum knee didn’t deter them from throwing almost $40 million at Stacy Andrews. And then benching him by week 2 hahaha
See Javon Kearse
See Stacey Andrews
As critical as I and many others have been of the Eagles moves over the last 40 or so hours, I gotta say I don’t blame them here.
Who knows what your gonna get, and without working him out etc etc, how can you properly determine whether you want to make him an offer or not? He is playing one of the highest paid positions in the league, and if he’s just “so-so” now after the injury, well, the Eagles already have more than enough “so-so” LE’s that they pay alot less to.
Safety remains the most important spot IMO; McDermott is gonna blitz, he learned from the best. I would have loved to have had Peppers don’t get me wrong, but the Eagles D is a blitzing D not a primary 4 man rush – Bradley is coming back from an ACL, the other LB spots are question marks – we don’t have the personnel not to be blitzing quite frankly.
Dawkins and his physical presence (plus tremendous leadership) is what made the blitz’s work. As cool as his name sounds, so one is fearing getting walloped by Macho Harris.
All players have to pass a physical before a contract is valid anyway, so what point does that make? The Eagles have Shawn and Stacey Andrews who are questionable due to injuries as well as Jamal Jackson and Stewart Bradley. I believe 3 of the 4 had ACL injuries so Kampman if healthy would be a great fit in the 4-3 they run, but you have to believe they would at the very least be cautious and use due dilligance. No team can afford to have 5 starters on the scrap heap.
come on vikings, just for the hell of it!
“but is not expected to return to Green Bay.” Just wondering – who doesn’t expect him back in GB?
The whole Packer D wasn’t very good for the first 8 games or so. If you think because Kamp didn’t have a million sacks in his first 8 games, he was a bust I think you’re taking a shallow view.
The Packers D is better with Kamp, and once his knee is better you will see the big #’s.
I expect Kamp & Taush to both be back in GB.
@ lovemonkey84
um.. how is that a HUGE mistake for Philly??? How many times in the NFL have you seen players coming off injuries play great the next season? doesnt happen to often..
umm jacksonville isnt transitioning into a 3-4 defense. They tried playing some this past year but it didnt work out so they are a strictly 4-3 defense now.
Philadelphia has been burned by signing damaged goods
I understand the Eagles not wanting to give assurances, but lie to the guy. They scum there way through BDAWK and BWEST but now can’t be scummy. So clearly we are not going for the SB so trade McNabb already for draft picks and lets not waste his time or are time. I understand the knee deal but Kampman has a reputation as a hard worker, neither of the Andrews sisters have that reputation. The Eagles have no clue and now will start to descend for the next couple seasons. Which is good because we need Andy Reid out of here, the only way that happens is we suck it real bad for a few years. I feel bad for McNabb, poor guy had a coach who liked to stack defenses against him. The probablem with that was its his coach. Andy Reid and the Eagles are clueless, which means most NFL experts are clueless because the Eagles better then most.
prophet, the Jags aren’t transitioning to a 34 defence. They only had some 34 looks early on in the season because Reggie Hayward went down injured and they lacked depth at DE.
Mel Tucker and Jack DelRio have both said that the Jags will remain a 43 team. That’s what they have the personnel for, that’s what they’re acquiring the personnel for and so that’s what they’re going to play.
@Prophet… Jags are going back to the 4-3. http://bleacherreport.com/articles/336434-jaguars-jaguars-gm-gene-smith-says-3-4-experiment-is-over
“Any kind of commitment” is as simple as saying “If his interview goes well and his knee passes a physical we will extend an offer.”
If the Eagles weren’t even willing to do that I wouldn’t fly out for a janitorial interview.
“We may or may not be hiring anyone… care to practice your interviewing skills?”
No thanks.
@prophet of the light
Jacksonville is ABSOLUTELY NOT transitioning to a 3-4 defense.
They are a base 4-3, and always have been a base 4-3. They experimented with the 3-4 due to injuries on the D-line last year, and linebackers being a strength.
On top of that, GM Gene Smith and Mel Tucker have both defined them as a 4-3.
Learn your facts.
# prophet of the light says: March 6, 2010 6:00 PM
Jacksonville is transitioning to a 34 defense. He needs to go to a 43 defense. Carolina would be a solid place for him.
Please do not go to NE.
Actually you are wrong about the Jags. GM Gene Smith says the Jaguars’ 3-4 experiment is over.
http://jacksonville.com/sports/football/jaguars/2010-01-30/story/gm_gene_smith_says_the_jaguars%E2%80%99_3_4_experiment_is_over
Great move by Philly. It’s a stupid move to put out a financial offer to someone with a major knee injury without a chance to even examine him yourself. I was glad when the visit was cancelled anyway. Nothing against Kampman, but at his age and with that injury it just doesn’t make sense with the other holes that need filled.
Give Kampman a look Jerry, our team needs some experienced veterans not more younger draft choices at this point.