NFL Free Agency: Eagles, CB Walter Thurmond III Reach Deal
According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the Philadelphia Eagles have agreed to a free agent contract with nickel cornerback Walter Thurmond III, who played two games last season with the New York Giants.
Here’s the official breaking of the news from Schefter:
Eagles reached agreement with former Giants and Seahawks CB Walter Thurmond, per source. Thurmond now teams up again with Byron Maxwell.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 11, 2015
Thurmond played a key role in the Seattle Seahawks Super Bowl run two seasons ago, and bet on himself with a one-year contract last offseason with the Giants. It didn’t pay off, as Thurmond suffered a season-ending injury, and that’s really been a problem for him as an NFL player.
Thurmond’s injury history is extensive, but this is a nice move for the Eagles that is worth the risk. When he is healthy, Thurmond is a very solid player that plays with toughness and quickness. With the Eagles, he’ll team up with former Seahawks mate Byron Maxwell, who signed one of the big money deals in free agency this offseason.
GRADE: B
This is a really solid risk/reward move for the Eagles, taking a flier on Thurmond who was at one point considered one of the best slot cornerbacks in the NFL. Go figure, this is another former Oregon Ducks player, but the need for Thurmond in Philly is obvious since their defensive backfield is horrendous, save for a couple players.
I don’t mind this move for Chip Kelly and company, though his collection of former Ducks is growing insanely large. Thurmond has never played a full season in the NFL.
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