Casillas first Philly LB to sign extension since Kareem Frase (2037)
By "Chet Durangley"

Pre-Season 2103 (Philadelphia) - Eagles fans are excited tonight after finding out that LB Chad Casillas has renegotiated his contract and will play out his career in Philadelphia. Philly GM Andrew Lewis held a press conference earlier this evening to announce the Franchise Player status of their young linebacker.

'As our fans know, this is only our fifth FP signing in the last 44 years,' said Lewis. 'We all know that it isn't that often that a player of this stature comes along our way.'

'Thirteen years ago it was DL Leon Carrington. Thirty-two years ago it was DL Theo Grimes. And Forty-two years ago it was DLs Danny Robinson and Sam Bentley.'

'And now, Chad Casillas can add his name to that list.'

Casillas was awared an FP5 contract extension, giving him an 8 million dollar raise to his 2098 1st round contract of 4 million.

Casillas was the 13th overall selection of the 2098 draft and the 4th of five LBs taken that round. Michael Moffit (CAR #4), Merril Jax (NYG #9), and Torin Winters (MIN #10) went before Casillas.

Moffit has been nothing short of phenomonal for the Panthers and was awarded an FP5 contract extension just last week. In four years as a starter, Moffit has 310 tackles, 11 sacks, 5 interceptions, and 3 fumble recoveries (1 for TD). Jax was waived after his rookie season. Winters got his first start just last season and finished the year with 37 tackles and 5 sacks.

The Birds may appear to be quite stingy when it comes to handing out FP deals, but our sources say it has more to do with their poor scouting in recent decades.

'We such haven't been able to draft the kind of talent that makes us champions,' says Eagles LB Yardley Welch, who along with LB Sam Taylor are the eldest players on the roster that were drafted by the Eagles. 'Just look at the guys older than us. Lewis had to trade for them. We went thru one heck of a dry spell a few years back. Casillas is a sign that things are getting better.'

'You have to go back sixty-six years to the last time we gave a Franchise Player deal to a linebacker,' continued Welch, 'and that was Kareem Frase.'

Casillas has only been an Eagles starter since last season. His racked up 38 tackles, 4 sacks, 1 fumble recovery for a touchdown, and 2 interceptions in his first year as a starter. The Eagles are hoping that well-rounded output is only a glimpse of what will come.

Tom Albert was the 5th LB taken in the 2098 College Draft (PHI #17). Albert sat on the Eagles Practice Squad for two seasons before being waived. He was then claimed by the Packers in 2100 and saw action on their Practice Squad for one season before being waived the following year. The Miami Dolphins saw something in Albert and claimed him off waivers in 2102. Albert saw limited Special Teams action, notching 6 tackles. Albert is on the Dolphins 2103 roster and hopes to finally become a starter.