By FRANK WARD
DailyPhiladelphian.com Editor
After serving a one year suspension for his role in a DUI-related car accident that ended up taking a man’s life, Donte’ Stallworth was reinstated by the NFL on Sunday. His first piece of news following his reinstatement? A phone call from the Browns — likely GM Tom Heckert — telling the wideout that he needs to find work elsewhere.
Stallworth will get a shot to play in the NFL next year. He’s too talented not to and he has paid his dues judicially, civilly and under the guidelines of the NFL. The question is where will he end up?
The Eagles should inquire about the possibility of having Stallworth rejoin the team for a year. If he gets other offers, he won’t come here. if not, this is the ideal place for him to work toward his next — and likely final — NFL contract. At 29 years old, he has another 3-4 years left.
He has played well in this offense before. Granted it was only one season, but he did catch 38 passes for 725 yards and five TDs in 12 games. That’s a career for Reggie Brown.
The Eagles should consider making a run at Donte' Stallworth, who was cut by the Browns on Monday.
During that year, Stallworth did miss more than a quarter of the season due to injury. In fact, injuries have been the major knock on his career to this point. He’s played a full season just three times.
Why should the Eagles bring him back when they finally have speedy playmakers in DeSean Jackson and Jeremy Maclin? That question is precisely why the should bring him back. The Eagles offense is built around speed and Stallworth would only add to that dynamic. Plus, one injury and you’re left with Brown as a key part of the offense.
In addition, Donte’ would not be The Man as he was in 2006. Instead, he would fill the slot spot that will be vacated once the eagles cut Kevin Curtis this offseason. Make no mistake, Curtis is gone after missing most of the last two seasons with knee issues. Jason Avant has done well in that role, but he’d be a better fourth receiver on a team that uses four wideout sets routinely. It really comes down to whether you want Brown or Stallworth on the field. Case closed.
Bring in a guy who can give you what Curtis hasn’t been able to. Sure, he has baggage, but that hasn’t been a deterrent to the Eagles recently. Moreover, Stallworth appears to have turned things around. In following him on Twitter, he seems sincere in his ways and is looking to make a positive impact in the world — not on the football field.
Will Stallworth be with the Eagles next season? It’s doubtful to be honest. But, the Eagles have to at least inquire and see if they can get him. His presence would only help make the Birds offense that much more lethal.
