Philly Phile | Birds’ deal with Dolphins probably good for both sides

Byron Maxwell didn't pan out with the Eagles after signing a long-term free-agent deal last year; his future is pointed in Miami's direction now.

Not seeing this as the fleecing many perceive it to be.

If anything, it’s a good transaction, a quality, package deal first reported Monday and made official Wednesday that benefits both sides.

Guess what? Nothing wrong with that.

While Eagles fans and Philly sports media in general laud the proverbial dumping of dead weights Byron Maxwell and Kiko Alonso on simple-minded Miami, the reality is the Birds likely supplied the Dolphins with two starters for a rapidly improving defense.

In return the Birds got to jump up from 13th to eighth in next month’s NFL draft, thus giving them the leeway to parlay that into a more coveted player or possibly finagle more higher-round picks with another trade.

Seems fair.

Put it this way, it looks like a win-win for both teams. Or, considering the players and the personnel evaluation skills involved, perhaps a break-even.

Not for nothing, but the abuse Maxwell has taken from the football-following populace in the region since arriving here has been kinda comical, especially considering the kid-gloves treatment the same group has tendered to its offensive headliner.

Both off-season acquisitions last year, you couldn’t get a more comparable twosome on the Eagles’ 2015 roster than Maxwell and Sam Bradford. One the overpriced cornerback, the other the overpriced quarterback.
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Both incredibly average.

Not bad. Not awful. Just mediocre to the core ... and paid a ton of money as such.

For all the ballyhoo made of Bradford’s second-half stretch run, and it was an improvement, overall, from his first half, his season was no better than Maxwell’s, which has been labeled as something between dreadful and disgusting.

Despite missing two games, imminently Bradford-like, Maxwell ranked fifth on the team in tackles, second in interceptions and tied for the team lead in passes defensed. He even forced a couple fumbles and recovered another.

Did he live up to what his six-year, $63 million contract signed a year ago would suggest? No way.

But do you really think Bradford lived up to his $13 mil deal last season, either … or will come anywhere close to being an $18 mil QB this upcoming season?

Get real.

Perception paints a clouded patch on the reality canvas in these parts. Funny thing is, Maxwell actually has outperformed what was expected of him coming out of Clemson in 2011. A sixth-round draft selection, yeah, he benefited not only from playing with fellow Legion of Boom members Cam Chancellor, Earl Thomas and Richard Sherman in the Seattle secondary for four years, but from being buoyed by a brilliant front seven in front of him and his famed mates.

Still, he wasn’t bad. He was solid, decent. Pretty much the same as he was here.

You know, he only gave up two TDs all last season … and they both came in the opener against Atlanta’s Julio Jones.

Bradford, meanwhile, was the No. 1 pick in 2010 … and he’s been no more decent than Maxwell since turning pro.

Alonso? The jury is still out. After all, he’s entering his second year out from knee surgery … just like Bradford.

So, sure, celebrate the idea of getting rid of two players you didn’t like here and didn’t seem to fit here, but hold off on mocking Miami for making the deal just yet.

You gotta save some laughing for Tennessee taking DeMarco Murray off the Eagles’ hands anyway.

​- Jack Kerwin  |  [email protected]
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Not for nothing, but the abuse (Byron) Maxwell has taken from the football-following populace in the region since arriving here has been kinda comical, especially considering the kid-gloves treatment the same group has tendered to its offensive headliner. Both off-season acquisitions last year, you couldn't get a more comparable twosome on the Eagles' 2015 roster than Maxwell and Sam Bradford. One the overpriced cornerback, the other the overpriced quarterback. Both incredibly average. Not bad. Not awful. Just mediocre to the core ... and paid a ton of money as such.

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