The Daily Philadelphian

Two fifth round picks for a starting caliber cornerback in the NFL. Those opportunities don’t present themselves often and Andy Reid pounced on the chance to acquire Ellis Hobbs from the Patriots on Draft Day a year ago.

Once the starter opposite Asante Samuel in New England, Hobbs came to Philly after getting thrown in Bill Belichik’s doghouse because he had the audacity to complain about his contract. Ironically, many thought Hobbs was being brought in to replace Sheldon brown who was doing the same thing.

Realistically, Hobbs was never going to supplant Brown this year. He was brought in to enhance a special teams attack that was lackluster at best in kick returns. Prior to suffering a devastating knee injury, Hobbs averaged nearly 25 yards per kick return, placing him in the middle of the pack among NFL returners. On defense, Hobbs registered an amazing 11 tackles in eight games.

Hobbs now finds himself without a contract and may or may not be free to find another team. if  new CBA is not reached by march, Hobbs will be a restricted free agent. But, should the Eagles bring him back?

Ellis Hobbs wants a pick six straight to the bank.

WHAT THE EAGLES SHOULD DO: You can never have too many starting corners in the NFL, and although you don’t want Hobbs out there every play, he can do the job should the team suffer an injury to Brown or Samuel. He averaged more than two picks per year in New England. At the very least he and Joselio Hanson would give the Birds a nice 1-2 punch in nickle packages. If the Eagles think Hobbs is going to recover from his injury in time for training camp and can make an impact on the team, then tender him at the third round level and bring him back for another year. Even if you draft a younger guy — a certainty with Brown on the other side of 30 — Hobbs can compete with the kid in camp. And, he and Quintin Demps can compete for the kick returner role with the loser heading to the unemployment line.

WHAT THE EAGLES WILL DO: With Demps Andy Reid’s hand picked successor to Brian Dawkins, we don’t envision him going anywhere this early in his career. He’ll likely be kept even if just as a kick returner. That means Hobbs will have to stick as a corner. The Birds will tender him at the lower level this offseason. We suggest Hobbs sign the tender on the spot because when the Birds draft a corner in April, that tender may be pulled back — quickly. Whether or not the Eagles bring him back as a restricted free agent, we don’t see Hobbs having a spot on the teamif the Birds spend a first day pick on a corner. If they do, Hobbs may stay for depth, but join the Stacey Andrews list next season.