Steve Smith Signing Could Indicate Trouble in Philadelphia Eagles' Nest

The Philadelphia Eagles' free-agent signing frenzy continued on Wednesday with the acquisition of wide receiver Steve Smith, formerly of the New York Giants. Smith joins previously signed Jason Babin, Cullen Jenkins, Nnamdi Asomugha, Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, Ronnie Brown and Vince Young, adding even more depth to one of the most impressive free-agent hauls in NFL history.

However, unlike those acquired earlier in the abbreviated free agent signing period, the acquisition of Smith should be cause for concern for the Eagles faithful. Not because Smith isn't a solid addition—on the contrary, the former Pro Bowler is widely considered one of the top slot receivers in the entire league—but because of what his signing may indicate about the health of another Eagles receiver, Jeremy Maclin.

Maclin has not participated in practice since training camp began, the result of a "mystery illness" that no one in the Eagles organization, including Maclin himself, has been forthright in identifying. The only information regarding his illness that has been released to the public indicated that Maclin lost 15 pounds in April while battling "mono-like" symptoms.

It has been reported that Maclin, who even still appears to be noticeably thinner, recently underwent a series of tests related to the illness. It is unclear if these tests were diagnostic or follow-up in nature, but the team has stated that more information would be available once the results were analyzed by team doctors.

On the surface, Smith's acquisition appears to be a case of the rich getting richer. The Eagles were well positioned before the free agency period began to spend big money on big names, the result of exceptional salary cap management by team President Joe Banner and General Manager Howie Roseman, and they have capitalized on that cap space emphatically.

Smith fits the Eagles offense perfectly. He excelled in New York as a reliable short-yardage receiver. A solid route runner, he complements the talents of DeSean Jackson almost perfectly; the ying to Jackson's explosive, home run-hitting yang. Smith should be ready to play by midseason at the latest, as he is currently rehabbing from microfracture surgery on his knee, the result of an injury suffered late last season.

What is troubling about this move is that, on paper, Steve Smith does not fill a need for the Philadelphia Eagles. However, Smith's skill set makes him a more than capable replacement for Maclin if he is unable to play.

Of all the positions on the field, receiver was the one position going into the free agency period where most would have agreed that the Eagles were well stocked and ready for the season.

In fact, the only reason the Eagles were mentioned in any free-agent receiver's list of possible destinations was because Plaxico Burress' situation closely mirrored that of Michael Vick's two years ago and the discussion surrounding Burress possibly joining the Eagles was plausible because his skill set would have added a new dimension to the Eagles offense.

Otherwise, it was widely accepted that the Eagles were not seriously pursuing any of the receivers left on the market. In inking Smith to a one-year deal, it is obvious the team doesn't intend to use him as an insurance policy should Jackson decide to test the free-agent market at season's end. 

All of these factors considered, it begs the question: Are the Eagles showing their hand in the Jeremy Maclin saga? Do they have new information indicating that Maclin may not be able to return this season? If so, Smith is a perfect insurance policy. While he will not be ready at the start of the season, he will be healthy in time for the stretch run, ready to exploit the holes opened by DeSean Jackson's deep threat, just as Maclin would if healthy.

Granted, signing Smith by no means carves in stone that Jeremy Maclin is out for the season. Smith, Maclin and Jackson each have unique skill sets that would allow for all three to be on the field at once, each posing a different problem for the defense.

It is, of course, very possible that this move is another product of the so-called "Michael Vick Effect," where players are turning down less lucrative than expected multi-year deals with other teams for the chance to play with Vick on the Eagles for one year and guaranteed money.

A few ESPN analysts have suggested that a majority of teams discovered quickly that they didn't have as much money to throw around as was expected, and players are finding the market for their services to be a little drier than they anticipated, resulting in players deciding to take the opportunity to play for a championship this season and wait to cash in on free agency until next spring when the market will be more prepared to bear their hefty contract desires. 

That being said, it is difficult to believe the Eagles would spend $2 million in guaranteed money, and up to $4 million with incentives, simply because a player wanted to play here.

Not with a glaring hole remaining at middle linebacker, where rookie Casey Matthews, a fourth-round pick, is slated to start. Not with with the possible loss of Mike Patterson on the defensive line after he suffered a seizure in training camp last week. Most definitely not with DeSean Jackson, a player whom all would agree is critical to the team's long-term success, seeking a better deal that more accurately reflects his performance.

One can not help but wonder if there wasn't some extra motivation behind the Eagles pulling the trigger on this deal.

While it is very exciting to plug yet another former Pro Bowler into the Eagles' already loaded roster, this particular signing may indicate that all is not sunny in Philadelphia.