The curious case of the Eagles wide receiving corps got even more curious Tuesday after the Eagles cut Hank Baskett instead of Reggie Brown.
The Eagles had to cut a player to make room on the roster for QB Michael Vick. There was a logjam at wideout so on of the seven guys had to go.
Recent top-draft picks DeSean Jackson and Jeremy Maclin were safe as were veterans Jason Avant and Kevin Curtis. And you could add rookie Brandon Gibson to the safe list because of his perceived upside.
So it came down to Brown and Baskett.
There were plenty of things working in Baskett’s favor. At 6-foot-4, 220 pounds, Baskett was the largest Eagles wideout and supplied the team with something no other receiver could.
“He was a strong possession receiver who excelled at blocking, and often was used as a sort of quasi tight end,” said the Daily News’ Les Bowen.
He also played special teams, kept out of trouble and was seen as a good guy -- not letting his marriage to reality show star Kendra Wilkinson turn him into some sort of tabloid fodder.
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So it was weird to see him go -- especially considering that the Birds held onto Reggie Brown who really only has being a good guy in common with Baskett. Brown isn’t very big (6-foot-1, 197), doesn’t play special teams and really isn’t known for his blocking.
Brown also wasn’t active Week 1 for the Birds. Baskett was active and even caught a pass.
Stats normally don’t lie. Last season Brown caught 18 balls for 252 yards and one TD while Baskett caught 33 passes for 440 yards and three TDs. You would think that would mean the Birds held onto Baskett but in this case it didn’t.
So why was Brown still a Bird?
The biggest difference between Baskett and Brown could be why Reggie still wears Eagles green and Baskett will be donning another team’s colors.
Brown was a high second-round pick of the Eagles in 2005 while Baskett was an undrafted guy who the Birds picked up in an unheralded 2006 trade with the Vikings.
If the Birds cut ties with Brown without getting anything back in return than it would show defeat -- and an overvalued draft choice by the Birds.
So Baskett was cut loose. Birds’ fans can look forward to Brown (who only caught 18 balls for 252 yards and one TD last season) remaining with the team while Baskett (who caught 33 passes for 440 yards and three TDs) catches balls elsewhere.
