3 Thoughts on Philadelphia Eagles’ attempt to land Robby Anderson

Prior to landing Golden Tate, the Philadelphia Eagles made an attempt to acquire another wide receiver, New York Jets speedster Robby Anderson.

Well, when you’re discussing an NFL team, particularly the defending Super Bowl champs, it never hurts to get people talking. That’s what we do as sports fans and media. You think there’s no news to discuss with the Philadelphia Eagles on their bye week? Think again.

According to Chris Mortensen of ESPN’s Sunday NFL Countdown, the Eagles made a run at another speedy receiver. Prior to crafting a trade that brought Golden Tate to Philly from the Detroit Lions, ‘The Birds’ apparently inquired with the New York Jets about Robby Anderson.

Take a look:

Well, Eagles executive vice president of football operations Howie Roseman did say they spoke with every NFL team, didn’t they?

Here are three thoughts on the move:

1. Anderson, like Tate, would have needed a long-term deal done.

Though Anderson was a less-expensive option than Tate, he, too, would have needed a long-term deal done at the end of the current season.

With so many important cogs on the Eagles roster who are key to the team’s success all needing an extension of their own (Brandon Graham, Jay Ajayi, Ronald Darby, and Jordan Hicks for instance), there’s no guarantee that Philly can retain Tate past this season.

There’s also no guarantee that Anderson would have been a lock for a long-term deal either. We’ll have to wait and see what happens.

2. Would Anderson have been the outside receiver opposite of Alshon Jeffery?

The Jets ignored trade proposals because the development of their rookie quarterback, Sam Darnold, is one of their top priorities on offense. Philly, as we know, is equally committed to placing weapons around Wentz.

Here’s an interesting thought though. With Tate’s addition, does he play slot or do the Eagles kick Nelson Agholor back inside? Agholor thrived in the slot a season ago, and he’s struggled on the outside this season.

Is Tate, now, the answer to provide a healthy compliment to Alshon Jeffery on the outside or does Philly still have some questions to answer there?

3. This shouldn’t fall in the classification of a ‘distraction’.

Okay, aside from the usual desire to create conversation and give us in the media a new story to spin, what’s the benefit of releasing this info now? Some would argue it creates a distraction. Maybe Tate gets it in his head that he wasn’t the Eagles first choice and that cfeates a locker room distraction.

Let’s kill that one before it gets started.

Look, these guys are professionals, especially Tate. He gets it. NFL football is a business, and regardless of how any of this is spun, he’s a member of the Eagles now. As Roseman put it earlier this week, their foot is always on the gas. They’re thinking about another Super Bowl win.

Oh, by the way, Tate’s new teammates are glad he’s here. Check this one out:

Hopefully, Philly’s new wide receiver makes his debut versus the rival Dallas Cowboys. That one’s going down next week, and it’s scheduled for prime time.