PHILADELPHIA – The Philadelphia Eagles received a trade offer from the Denver Broncos for cornerback Asante Samuel, an NFL source said.

The Denver Post first reported the Broncos’ interest in the four-time Pro Bowler. According to the newspaper, Denver had two offers on the table — one involving a fifth- or sixth-round pick in next week’s draft, the other for an unnamed player.

The Eagles were believed to be seeking a third- or fourth-round pick for Samuel, but are willing to take less than that, according to two NFL sources.

So what is the hang-up?

While Samuel has agreed to restructure the remaining two years of his contract — he’s slated to earn $10 million this season and $11.5 million next season — he has yet to consent to some other requests by Denver, sources said.

The Eagles have been talking with other teams about Samuel, who has been on and off the market since last summer after the team acquired Nnamdi Asomugha and Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie.

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An exchange with Detroit, which would have netted the Eagles two second-day draft picks, was broached in August but fell apart for reasons other than compensation. Samuel started 14 games at his regular left-corner spot, but his off-corner style did not appear to suit the Eagles’ new defensive scheme.

He missed the final two games of the season and Rodgers-Cromartie filled in — seemingly without missing a beat.

Samuel, though, is still considered an elite corner in some circles. The 31-year-old has 45 career interceptions, 23 of those coming during his four seasons in Philadelphia. He showed up for offseason workouts this week, partly to collect a bonus, and told the Eagles’ website that his preference was to remain there.

BEARS: Linebacker Brian Urlacher was a spectator at Penn State’s Blue-White spring game, invited by head athletic football trainer Tim Bream, who used to work for the Bears.

About 60,000 fans took in the glorified scrimmage.

 


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