Philadelphia Eagles’ Nate Fate
By Bret Stuter
Dec 28, 2014; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; Philadelphia Eagles strong safety Nate Allen (29) intercepts a pass intended for New York Giants wide receiver Rueben Randle in the fourth quarter during the game at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports
Philadelphia Eagles: Nate Fate
In a year with headlines in both directions: up and down, a quiet whisper of a season happened for safety Nate Allen. Despite the roar of dissatisfaction with players in the cornerback position, Allen has softly assembled the best year of his five year career. On Sunday, Allen intercepted his fourth pass, besting his rookie season.
And so, on a “prove it” one year contract, Nate Allen did his career best. Was it enough to prove it to the Eagles front office?
Well, it’s a good start. Considering the Eagles have been tinkering with defense since the loss of the great Jimmy Johnson, it’s a huge step in the right direction. Against a background of cornerback regression, a player making progress is uncommon in the Philadelphia Eagles secondary.
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Has Allen done enough? Well, his showing certainly guarantees he’ll be offered an NFL contract for the 2015 season. With the Philadelphia Eagles finishing with ten wins, the team will not be drafting at a point where trading back is a valuable option. And so, the Eagles will need to budget their off-season draft currency. That translates into free agency for positions with needs.
It may not suit every Eagles fan to resign Allen, but it only needs to suit Chip Kelly. Some will argue that the Eagles can do better. Facts seem to suggest otherwise. Upgrading one position does not seem to follow suit to a team’s performance. Examine the fate of the New Orleans Saints, who managed to find salary cap space to sign safety Jairus Byrd. The Buffalo Bills, who lost Byrd, finished a very respectable 9 win 7 loss season. The juggernaut Saints, conversely, took a 2013 playoff team down to 7-9. Who benefited more from Byrd’s decision?
The point being that it is not just SPEND SPEND SPEND that makes a team good. It’s building a team, something the Eagles are certainly on the track of now. In Chip Kelly’s two seasons in the NFL, he’s finished 20-12. Stuck yes, but stuck at a pretty good spot. So that brings us back to the decision facing the Philadelphia Eagles and whether to pursue safety Nate Allen.
There is not much better in free agency this year. His 62 tackles, one sack and four interceptions were some of his best, and his four interceptions led the team. He worked well with safety Malcolm Jenkins, and despite a tough season for all Philadelphia defensive backs, his performance was consistent. At an age of 27 and five years into the NFL, Allen fits the “bio” of what Philadelphia looks for in a free agent signing. The point will be asking price. The current price of Allen is $2 Million for one year’s work. A likely contract will run in the three to four year range and come about $2.5M / year.
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Unless the team wants to try an older veteran on a one year deal, or a younger player with little NFL starting experience, that’s not a bad deal for both parties.
Some of you may think the Eagles can fill the roster with pro bowlers from top to bottom. That’s unlikely. The team has it’s work cut out for it in fixing the cornerback situation.
Not all Eagles need to be pro bowlers. Nate Allen is not. But, he deserves another contract, at least until someone younger demonstrates the ability to play at a higher level. Sometimes, you have to know when to hold them. Hold onto Nate, Philadelphia.
Nate Fate should be in a Philadelphia uniform in 2015.