Did Philadelphia Eagles Sign Free-Agent WR Steve Smith Just To Spite Giants?

Nnamdi Asomugha. Vince Young. Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie. Ronnie Brown. Cullen Jenkins.

That's the list of impact free agents the Philadelphia Eagles have signed this offseason.

Michael Vick. Jeremy Maclin. DeSean Jackson. LeSean McCoy.

That's a brief list of impact players the Eagles already had on their roster.

Well, now you can add one more to the list: former New York Giants receiver Steve Smith.

Smith comes over from the rival New York Giants, a move that will probably make Giants fans pretty angry.

But, did the Eagles make this move specifically to spite the Giants and take him away from them?

Probably not.

The Eagles are facing some injury concerns with their receivers right now. DeSean Jackson isn't going to play in Thursday night's preseason game and Jeremy Maclin has an unknown illness that appears to be pretty serious.

Smith is also injured and will probably miss the first month of the regular season.

But, what that tells me is that the Eagles are much more worried about Maclin than they are letting on.

If they signed a guy who will miss the first four games of the season, they must think Maclin will miss even more time.

But, if the three wide receivers ever make it on the field at the same time, the Eagles will have a very dynamic passing attack.

The problem is health. Jackson has been battling an injury in training camp, Maclin has his illness and Smith will miss the first month.

The key to the puzzle is Maclin. We know when Smith will be healthy, Jackson probably won't miss any regular season action, but Maclin is uncertain.

Eagles coach Andy Reid said he expects Maclin to be ready for the start of the regular season, but that appears to be wishful thinking at this point.

Who knows what the prognosis will be for the former Missouri Tiger?

We do know one thing for sure though. The Eagles did not sign Smith just to spite their hated rivals, they signed him because they aren't sure if Maclin will be available at all during the 2011 NFL season.

Eagles fans should be concerned for Maclin, but should be excited for the potential that their new wide receiver gives them.

If they all play together, they will be the best receiver trio in the NFL, no doubt about it.