With the roster down to 77, three below the training camp limit, Eagles brass hopes to sign someone from its shopping list before week's end. With the club close to the salary cap limit, the Eagles likely would have to cut a player for every one signed.
Cornerback, defensive tackle, veteran offensive lineman and veteran outside linebacker top the Eagles' shopping list.
"If we try to bring somebody in defensively, we'd want to do it as quickly as possible," head coach Rich Kotite said, "because of all the things he'd have to learn. Offensively, we have to pick our spots as well."
The Eagles appear to be losing patience in negotiations with the agent for veteran offensive tackle/guard Tom McHale, who continues to seek about $500,000. Versatile veteran Brian Baldinger remains in town working out and on the Eagles' back burner.
BIRDSEED
The Eagles waived free-agent defensive end Herman Smith yesterday . . . Eric Allen has an aggravated Achilles' tendon, which caused him to leave the practice field in the afternoon. The sight of him being carted off the practice field after pulling up in seven-on-seven drills was cause for concern, but Allen was hitching a ride to stick his foot in ice . . . Broderick Thompson is experiencing tenderness in his hamstring and sat out practice. Eric Floyd lined up at right tackle, Rob Selby at left tackle with the first-unit offensive line . . .
Rookie Bernard Williams flew home to Memphis, Tenn., yesterday. A preliminary hearing in his civil rights suit against the Memphis police is scheduled for today. Williams is expected back tonight. He alleges illegal search and mistreatment by officers looking for a suspect. It is an apparent case of mistaken identity . . . Charlie Garner displayed excellent burst in his return to the nine-on-seven running game drills . . . Rookie free agent Chris Dausin and veteran pass rusher Greg Townsend went at it after Townsend didn't appreciate a cut attempt by Dausin . . . Hit of the day was a Byron Evans-Andy Harmon sandwich of Herschel Walker in nine-on-sevens.
