PHILADELPHIA -- The Philadelphia Eagles, dealing with a veteran cornerback who wants to be traded, packaged some extra draft picks to trade for a veteran cornerback.
2008 Statistics
Games/Starts: 16/16
Tackles: 47
Interceptions: 3
Sacks: 1.5
The acquisition of Hobbs pleased disgruntled Eagles cornerback Sheldon Brown, but only because he hoped it could lead to his departure from Philadelphia.
"I think it's great," Brown told The Associated Press. "I look at it as great news in terms of me being traded."
Hobbs was acquired after a series of swapped draft picks.
The Eagles first traded their third-round pick, 85th overall, to the New York Giants for another third-round pick, 91st overall, and a fifth-round selection. Minutes later, the Eagles traded that 91st pick to the Seattle Seahawks for a fifth-round and a seventh-round choice, plus a third-round selection in 2010.
"It's a shock at first, because you play your whole career in an organization," said Hobbs, who has one year remaining on the contract he signed as a rookie. "But it's a business."
That's how the Eagles are treating it with Brown, their second-round pick in 2002 and a starter the past five seasons.
Brown, who has four years left on an eight-year contract that will pay him $2 million this season, went public with his demand for a new deal or a trade two weeks before the draft. The Eagles responded with a terse statement that made it clear a new contract was out of the question.
"I knew the repercussions of what I was doing," said Brown, who hasn't committed to attending next week's mandatory minicamp. "I wanted a new deal, but that wasn't happening. So I want a trade. If it can happen now, because they're in a better situation, that's fine. But I realize it could take time."
Hobbs seemed aware of the Eagles' situation.
"Obviously so ... to make a move like this," Hobbs said. "I heard rumors anyway that they were interested and things like that. I didn't have any expectations as far as something would shake this early.
"They're bringing me in here for a reason. But everything has to be earned out there. Nothing is going to be given."
Hobbs joins an Eagles secondary that includes former Patriots teammate Asante Samuel and Brown as the current starters. Joselio Hanson, who signed a new long-term contract this offseason, and Jack Ikegwuonu, a 2008 fourth-round pick who spent his rookie season on injured reserve, are the listed backups.
"One of my former teammates is there, and I'm sure he said good things about me," Hobbs said. "I just look forward to getting out there and showing Philadelphia what I have. Hopefully, we can bring success that's already established there."
Hobbs started 17 games in his first two years with the Patriots, then didn't miss a start in 2007 and 2008. He had nine interceptions in his four years in New England, including three last season. He also returns kicks, averaging 26.0 yards on 35 returns in 2007 and 28.5 yards per return in 2008.
Hobbs said he didn't know why the Patriots believed he was expendable.
"From the business side, they feel like they can make moves other places," Hobbs said. "Who's to say? Maybe they wanted more success or maybe they wanted something different to shake something up, I don't know. It's kind of a typical move of them where they move players in and out. You really don't understand it, and it kind of hits you very abruptly with certain players from the past -- Deion Branch, Willie McGinest, David Givens to name a few. Now, Mike Vrabel, who was the face of the organization, they got him out of there. It's just how it goes."
The Eagles did use three of their fifth-round picks, selecting Florida tight end Cornelius Ingram, who missed his senior year with a torn anterior cruciate ligament; Virginia Tech cornerback Victor Harris, who could move to safety; and Oregon left tackle Fenuki Tupou.
In the sixth round, Philadelphia added Washington State wide receiver Brandon Gibson, who caught 57 passes for 673 yards last fall.
On Saturday, the Eagles took two offensive stars, selecting Missouri wide receiver Jeremy Maclin with the 19th overall choice and Pittsburgh running back LeSean McCoy in the second round with the 53rd overall pick.
Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press
