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The Philadelphia Eagles addressed their need for linebacker depth Tuesday by acquiring Will Witherspoon from the St. Louis Rams in exchange for rookie wide receiver Brandon Gibson and a 2010 fifth-round draft pick.
While appearing on "The Fast Lane" on 101 ESPN in St. Louis, Rams executive vice president/player personnel Billy Devaney said the Eagles first called about Witherspoon late last week. However, the sides didn't strike an agreement until about 30 minutes before the 4 p.m. ET trade deadline, according to Devaney, because the Rams initially were hesitant to trade Witherspoon and insisted on a player and a draft pick in the deal.
"Everything is based on what's best for the St. Louis Rams," Devaney said. "We hate to lose Will Witherspoon -- football player and the person -- he's a credit to any organization, on and off the field. But at the end of the day when we looked at what we were getting in return, we thought, again, this is what's best for the Rams, and we made the decision to go forward."
Witherspoon also appeared on the radio show and shared his view of the trade.
"It was a surprise, but it's understandable," Witherspoon said. "It's a game, but it's a business, too. It's not just a game of your ideals, it's a game about what's better for the whole. I think that both teams came to an agreement that was beneficial situation for the two of them. For me, it's the (opportunity) to go perform again, at a high level with another team."
Witherspoon, an eight-year NFL veteran who spent his first four seasons with the Carolina Panthers, was the Rams' starter on the weakside and has 33 tackles and one forced fumble this season. He has recorded more than 100 tackles in a season three times in his career (2004, 2006, 2007) and has missed just two games because of injury.
Gibson, a sixth-round draft pick in April, didn't have a catch this season for the Eagles.
The Eagles were seeking linebacker help in light of Omar Gaither's foot injury, which he suffered during Sunday’s 13-9 loss to the Oakland Raiders. Gaither started the first three games of the season in the middle before being replaced by veteran Jeremiah Trotter, who signed with the Eagles during their bye week. However, Trotter has received mixed reviews in two starts since returning to Philadelphia.
The Eagles’ original starter, Stewart Bradley, was lost to a season-ending knee injury during the preseason.
The Associated Press contributed to this report
The Philadelphia Eagles addressed their need for linebacker depth Tuesday by acquiring Will Witherspoon from the St. Louis Rams in exchange for rookie wide receiver Brandon Gibson and a 2010 fifth-round draft pick.
While appearing on "The Fast Lane" on 101 ESPN in St. Louis, Rams executive vice president/player personnel Billy Devaney said the Eagles first called about Witherspoon late last week. However, the sides didn't strike an agreement until about 30 minutes before the 4 p.m. ET trade deadline, according to Devaney, because the Rams initially were hesitant to trade Witherspoon and insisted on a player and a draft pick in the deal.
"Everything is based on what's best for the St. Louis Rams," Devaney said. "We hate to lose Will Witherspoon -- football player and the person -- he's a credit to any organization, on and off the field. But at the end of the day when we looked at what we were getting in return, we thought, again, this is what's best for the Rams, and we made the decision to go forward."
Witherspoon also appeared on the radio show and shared his view of the trade.
"It was a surprise, but it's understandable," Witherspoon said. "It's a game, but it's a business, too. It's not just a game of your ideals, it's a game about what's better for the whole. I think that both teams came to an agreement that was beneficial situation for the two of them. For me, it's the (opportunity) to go perform again, at a high level with another team."
Witherspoon, an eight-year NFL veteran who spent his first four seasons with the Carolina Panthers, was the Rams' starter on the weakside and has 33 tackles and one forced fumble this season. He has recorded more than 100 tackles in a season three times in his career (2004, 2006, 2007) and has missed just two games because of injury.
Gibson, a sixth-round draft pick in April, didn't have a catch this season for the Eagles.
The Eagles were seeking linebacker help in light of Omar Gaither's foot injury, which he suffered during Sunday’s 13-9 loss to the Oakland Raiders. Gaither started the first three games of the season in the middle before being replaced by veteran Jeremiah Trotter, who signed with the Eagles during their bye week. However, Trotter has received mixed reviews in two starts since returning to Philadelphia.
The Eagles’ original starter, Stewart Bradley, was lost to a season-ending knee injury during the preseason.
The Associated Press contributed to this report
