The New England Patriots acquired defensive end Derrick Burgess from the Oakland Raiders today for a pair of mid-round picks in 2011. NFL Network's Michael Lombardi reported that it was for a third-round pick and a fifth-round pick.
It looks like the Eagles were close to regaining Burgess' services. Adam Schefter of ESPN reported on his Twitter page that the Eagles offered a third-round pick and a player for Burgess. If you remember, Burgess was a third-round pick out of Ole Miss in 2001 for the Eagles. The 6-2, 260-pound Burgess recorded just 8.5 sacks in an injury-plagued four seasons with the team. But he shined the brightest when it mattered most. Burgess' performance in containing Michael Vick in the NFC Championship Game helped the Eagles reach the Super Bowl.
Burgess inked a free agent deal with the Raiders in the following off-season and flourished. He had a career high 16.0 sacks in 2005 and 38.5 in his four years with Oakland.
The Eagles signed free agent defensive end Jason Babin on August 4. It is unknown if the Eagles were still in the hunt for Burgess after adding Babin.
-- Posted by Chris McPherson, 7:36 p.m., August 6
