Eagles Tried to Trade Up, But Were Chop-Blocked by Cards and Chiefs

In the Daily News' Eagletarian blog, Paul Domowitch shares a really interesting, behind-the-scenes look at the Eagles' first round activity in the 2008 draft. Via some NFL insiders, Domowitch describes the Eagles' attempts to move up in the draft to select OT Brandon Albert out of Virginia.

The Eagles, who had the 19th pick, knew Albert wouldn't make it past the Kansas City Chiefs, who were at 17. So they hopped on the phone and called the Arizona Cardinals, who had the 16th pick, and tried to trade into their spot. But the Cardinals wanted Tennessee State cornerback Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie and were worried that he'd be gone if they traded down to 19. So they said thanks but no thanks.

Here's where it gets interesting.

As soon as they hung up with the Eagles, somebody from the Cardinals called the Chiefs and tipped them off to the fact that the Eagles were trying to trade up ahead of them to get Albert. The Chiefs then picked up the phone and called Detroit Lions GM Matt Millen, whose team was on the clock at No. 15. The Eagles also tried to get through to Millen. But the Chiefs kept him on the line until they consummated a deal and made the pick for Albert.

Yo Cardinals! What'd Andy do to deserve that one? Millen should probably also be a little ticked that his time was wasted on a deal that would never happen, while a legitimate offer was on the other line. We like imagining the conversation they used to keep Millen occupied though.

Comments

[tc]

This is the latest in a long line of insults from the Cardinals to the fans of southeast PA - going back to when they stole the NFL Championship from the Pottsville Maroons.

[Phils Phan]

Eh, the jokes on them. They signed Anthony Morelli.

[Kunk]

So Matt Millen doesn't have a second phone line in his draft room? Or call waiting? Or someone else who could take the call? A cell phone? Nothing?

I don't know, this story seems too unbelievable with the current state of craziness that goes into the draft....even Matt Millen can't be this dumb, right??

Wait, don't answer that.

[John]

Whatever happened to the Bowman story? Is it legit?

[DL]

I don't buy this either. Why does Andy have to tell the Cardinals who he is targeting? All he has to say is "Don't worry, we're not going after that CB you want".

I guess Andy probably also told the Cards "We're also looking at the DT out of Notre Dame and that guy Jackson out of Cal. So please, don't draft them. That would really screw us".

And what reason do the Cardinals have to screw the Eagles? I could see Jerry Jones do that, though.

[tom]

The 2 dumbest words in the NFL vocabulary? Matt Millen. That guy is an idiot. Worse than Jack DelRio. The only one dumber is the dope that hired him. Who did he play for? Washington? Dallas? Does anyone really think he would help the Eagles? Its like having an ex player from another NFC team (sans Troy Aikman) broadcast an Eagles game. Never anything good to say.

[Matt P.]

@ John: story on Bowman wasn't legit.

[Michael C]

@ DL- It was pretty widely discussed before the draft, and even during, that the Eagles were interested in Albert. They wouldn't have had to tell Arizona; everyone knew the Chiefs would take the best O-linemen on the board (which was Albert). Why are the Eagles trying to trade up 3 spots? Obviously to jump the Texans or Chiefs. What does Big Andy like? Offensive lineman. Even the Cardinals could have figured it out. As soon as they announced the Detroit-KC trade I told my friends exactly what was going to happen, including the Eagles trading down. Though I admit, I didn't think they would go down that far, or do it twice.

[John]

They better get Bowman, why hasn't this move been made yet!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! If the Cowboys Skins or G-men get him I will be pissed.

[enrico]

Really? The guy seems like a trouble maker to me. I wouldn't mind them trying to fit him in but certainly wouldn't be pissed if they didn't.

[Kulp]

Even if they signed Bowman, the chances he would make the team are slim. He will always be one mistake away from a four game suspension, and teams simply cannot have that from their fifth receiver.

[ryan]

this is obviously only wild speculation, but if it is true, it may be worth looking into by the commish. It sounds like a clear case of collusion between the Cardinals and Chefs, maybe resulting in draft picks coming the Birds way next year....