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Philadelphia Eagles Will Agree With Former Nemesis Frank Gore

By Bret Stuter

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Dec 28, 2014; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers running back

Frank Gore

(21) raises his arms as he is introduced before the game against the Arizona Cardinals at Levi

 Philadelphia Eagles Will Agree With Former Nemesis Frank Gore

As the 2015 NFL free agency season begins to heat up, the Philadelphia Eagles are holding true to expectations and are very active in working to restock their roster.   In the second event worth noting, the team is following up with an agreement to sign former Seattle Seahawks cornerback Byron Maxwell with a nearly finished agreement to at least a two year deal with former San Francisco running back Frank Gore.

The news was a mild surprise to many, as the team appears to have far greater and immediate free agency needs than running back.  However it should not have.  From the track record of “if you beat me, you will play for me”, Eagles head coach Chip Kelly could not help but notice how effective Gore was on September 28, 2014, when he gashed the Eagles typically stout run defense for 119 yards on 24 carries.   That was the only 100 yard rusher against the defense last year.

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With the addition of Gore, the Birds now have Gore, Chris Polk, Darren Sproles, and Matthew Tucker.  With a deep draft at the running back position, there is a consensus that the Eagles will be drafting depth for the position.

The team is getting off to a fast start this off-season, but they have a lot of ground to cover.  Stories so far include the Eagles are in very active pursuit of former New England safety Devin McCourty and offensive lineman Orlando Frankin.  Both players would be considered upgrades for the team if signed.

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    • The Eagles are thought to be so active in free agency due to the “mortgaging the farm” rumor that they have agreed to a blockbuster trade in the NFL 2015 draft to trade up for quarterback Marcus Mariota.   If that is the case, they will likely have 4 or fewer picks this year and for years to come.    A telling tale would be to see how the team treats the absence of a third quarterback option.  If they fail to sign a free agent quarterback to replace the attrition of quarterback Mark Sanchez, they likely feel confident that the quarterback position will be addressed in the draft.

    It’s tough to absorb the ramifications of moves that are moving at light speed, but thinking aloud has given me these opinions:   Throughout 2014, I constantly read that Chip Kelly pleaded with LeSean McCoy to just “hit the hole”.   He will not have to ask that of Frank Gore at all.   Gore is a north to south runner who does just that – hits the hole.   Meanwhile, the addition of Gore does enhance the argument that the Eagles are looking at 2015 with Oregon quarterback Marcus Mariota.   Gore is the definitive type of runner to play alongside the run option game that Mariota has made famous with the Ducks.   Because he hits the hole so quickly, he forces the defense to make an instant decision.  If they do not commit to him, he’s through the hole and deep into the defense.  If they do commit to him, the quarterback can simply keep the ball and run to where the defense isn’t.

    The plan unfolds now.   It looks pretty good so far.

    The first official time that a free agent can be signed is 4 PM on Tuesday March 10, 2015.  Until that time, teams are permitted to reach an agreement and represent those terms on a contract, but no free agent contract can be signed until that moment arrives.

    Next: Philadelphia Eagles Reach Agreement With Byron Maxwell

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