Philadelphia Eagles Could Be Pursuing Derrick Burgess

Many Eagles fans were upset after the 2004 season when the team was not willing to match the money that the Raiders threw at Burgess. The Raiders overpaid, as they usually do, but that doesn't mean the Eagles didn't think Burgess was a very good player.

So when his name came up in trade discussions last season, the Eagles got into the mix. However, they weren't willing to match the third and fifth-round picks that the New England Patriots sent to Oakland.

According to sports radio personality Howard Eskin, though, the 32-year old defensive end is back on the market and the Eagles are expected to pursue.

Reportedly willing to come back to Philadelphia on a modest contract. he would still be the second-best pass-rusher on the team even though he has lost a step back due to age.

Burgess isn't going to have 16 sacks again like he did back in 2005 with the Raiders, but he's still feared enough as a pass-rusher that teams couldn't focus just on Trent Cole. This schematic value alone is worth something.

After failing to sign Julius Peppers, the Eagles have been linked the Eagles to Vikings' defensive end Ray Edwards as well as Aaron Kampman. But Burgess is a guy who actually makes sense. He will already know the defense, be familiar with some of the players and come at a reasonable price.

The Eagles have shown an affinity for bringing back former players, so pursuing Burgess to fill an obvious need only makes sense.