Sheldon Brown on the Move?

Eagles Dangling Brown in Open Market?

By Lance Epstein

According to ESPN's television show "First Take," the Eagles are 'dangling' cornerback Sheldon Brown around the league for either a second or third round pick.

One of the reasons the show gave for dealing Brown is new acquisition of defensive back Marlin Jackson. The Eagles have reiterated that Jackson start at free safety but he can play either right or left corner as well.

However, I believe there are two other major reasons for considering trading the solid corner.

First, last year Brown made a big deal through the media about wanting a new contract. Anyone who follows the Eagles franchise knows they will not tolerate airing their dirty laundry out in the public. They are a tight lipped organization and rarely lets out information.

While it was a whole year ago, it rubbed many in the organization the wrong way. Also, it is not hard to believe that behind the scenes Brown is still demanding a new contract or to be traded. Andy Reid and the Eagles will refused to handout another contract to Brown when his current deal makes him a bargain and Brown is about to turn 31-years-old next Friday.

Second, go back and watch game tape of Brown down the stretch the last two seasons. In the 2008 playoff run and toward the end of the regular season, Brown was beat sounded down the field. During the regular season win at the Meadowlands, Domenik Hixon should have had a game changing 84-yard touchdown if he did not drop a wide open pass.

Then in the Eagles playoff run, he got torched by Minnesota wide receiver Benard Berrain for a long touchdown and then almost got beat by him again. The following playoff game against the Giants, Hixon again should have had a easy touchdown if Eli manning did not grossly under-throw his wide receiver. Finally, he along with the rest of the defense got lit up by the Cardinals.

Now, look at this past season. While playing with a partial hamstring tear for most of the season, he still got beat. Miles Austin must be giving him nightmares in his sleep with his double moves. Broncos quarterback Kyle Orton picked on Brown consistently. Even the 49ers threw to Brown's side of the field with success.

Yes, some of Brown's issues this year dealt with the hamstring problem (his first major injury concern of his career, but he is getting older and these types of injuries become more frequent.

While Brown is a great team leader, the Eagles can get value for him. There is no way they would b able to get a second rounder for him, but there is no reason to think the Eagles cannot get the same type of deal that the Chargers got for Antonio Cromartie ( third this year that could move to a second next year).

Remember early off-season reports from Philadelphiaeagles.com reporter Dave Spadaro about new GM Howie Roseman being aggressive and a outside the box thinker. With the draft being deep at the cornerback position, it does make sense that the Eagles might be looking to get younger.