Eagles interested in Track Star

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>Gatlin's agent says Eagles interested in sprinterAssociated PressNEW YORK -- Asafa Powell isn't the only one who wants a piece of Justin Gatlin. The Philadelphia Eagles do, too.Gatlin's agent, Renaldo Nehemiah, said Thursday the Eagles have made several inquiries the last three weeks to see if his client was interested in playing football. But Gatlin has only one summer plan: a long-anticipated race with Powell in a matchup between the two 100-meter world-record holders.Nehemiah, who played in the NFL for four seasons in the 1980s after starring in the hurdles, said the Eagles have left phone messages and sent e-mails to him about Gatlin.Eagles spokesman Derek Boyko said he was unaware of the team's interest, and it was club policy not to comment on any potential personnel moves.The Eagles are desperate for a receiver and kickoff returner. Of course, they already drafted one Olympian this year, taking freestyle skier Jeremy Bloom in the fifth round to return kicks.Though Nehemiah knows the temptation of playing in the NFL, he has no plans to return the Eagles' calls and mentioned the topic to Gatlin only in passing."Football isn't a necessity" for Gatlin, Nehemiah said. Gatlin, who won Olympic gold in the 100 in Athens, last played football some nine years ago, after quitting his high school team in 10th grade after a dispute with his coach."He's doing well enough he doesn't need it," Nehemiah said.Of more importance to Gatlin and Nehemiah is the showdown with Powell. Gatlin and Powell raced in separate 100 heats last week at the Prefontaine Classic in Eugene, Ore., and a potential race in Gateshead, England, on June 11 fell through.This week, Gatlin is in New York for the Reebok Grand Prix, while Powell will race in the Bislett Games in Oslo, Norway. Nehemiah hopes the two will be able to race by the end of July."It obviously has to do with more than just track and field, dealing with the head to head, financial reasons and the venue as well, dealing with the weather," Gatlin said. The competitive side doesn't care, I want to go out there and run. But the smart, business side of me knows this is something special. This doesn't happen all the time in track and field. So I want to make sure when it's done, I want it done right."Nehemiah has been in constant communication with Powell's representatives and has been getting dozens of calls from meet directors around the world wanting to host the showdown.As of now, the only meet the two are scheduled in together is July 28 in London. But Nehemiah wants the matchup to be set before then. Neither has a race scheduled between July 14 and the London meet, so possibilities include Stockholm on July 25 or Helsinki on July 26. If nothing can be worked out, then London would be the host."They're going to race. That's no doubt in my mind," Nehemiah said. "Unfortunately, it's become bigger than I wanted it to become, and so we're inundated with so many people jockeying for that first race."Gatlin, who tied Powell's mark of 9.77 seconds in Doha three weeks ago, said the meeting would be worth the wait."I want to make sure Asafa's at his A-game. I don't want excuses for a win or for a loss," Gatlin said. "I want to make sure we're both 100 percent and may the best man win when we go out there. For the fans, I think: give it some time and everything will be OK. They'll understand by the time we get to the line and we're head-to-head that everyone will enjoy the race and everyone will be satisfied."</div>http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=2466871

 

Yeah, interest doesnt seem to be mutual..But a Gatlin/Bloom KR/PR return duo would be insane..Risky, but insane.

 

Why are the Eagles obsessed with returners? They just got J.R. Reed back from IR, Jeremy Bloom in the draft, Reno Mahe can return well, and even Westbrook can bring one back if needed...

 

Just because he can run fast doesn't mean he can run looking at the 11 biggest guys getting ready to knock him out.

 

I think he would get snapped like a twig.

 

Speaking from what I do during track, he most likely is in great condition.He obviously does lots of running and strength work. You have to lift a surprisingly good amount of weights. And coming off of a track season, he'd be in his best shape right for football.If he played football, he would make Dante Hall look slow.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Johnny White Guy @ Jun 3 2006, 02:15 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>Why are the Eagles obsessed with returners? They just got J.R. Reed back from IR, Jeremy Bloom in the draft, Reno Mahe can return well, and even Westbrook can bring one back if needed...</div>You cant even imagine the return problems we had last year. We tried Mahe among others and it doesn't cut it. Reed isn't back for sure, some say he'll make a full recovery but his season (and career) is still up in the air. We're not going to risk Westbrooks health for a punt return..And I'm sure they want more than one return man in Bloom, one to return punts the other to return kicks.

 

Poor Philidelphia. They don't know the difference between track and football.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Jzrith @ Jun 10 2006, 03:49 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>Poor Philidelphia. They don't know the difference between track and football. </div>Cowboys used to have a track star that they would throw to deep and dominated with for a long time, I forget his name. I guess they are just looking for a burner?

 

Rocket Ismail?

 

^^^ I'm really not sure...anyway, Eagles should go after THIS track starLooks like he's fast AND can lay a big hit.