Synder, Renfro are cut
Originally published August 30, 1995.
The Eagles, unsuccessful in efforts to trade Jeff Sydner to the Detroit Lions, released the fourth-year return man along with former No. 1 pick Leonard Renfro and tight end Reggie Johnson, the free-agent acquisition from Green Bay who was projected as coach Ray Rhodes's starter.
Late yesterday, after more trade talk proved fruitless, the Eagles also waived quarterback Dave Barr, the team's fourth-round draft pick from California. The Eagles traded a pair of fifth-round draft choices to Cleveland to gain the fourth-round selection (119 overall) used to grab Barr.
The waiving of Renfro leaves the Eagles with just three of their 1993 draft choices.
Several NFL scouts have watched Sydner from the press level this preseason. He said last night the Lions quickly contacted him yesterday and he could be in Detroit today, pending other offers. Sydner was a victim of veteran Kelvin Martin's excellent preseason and the steadiness of veteran receiver Rob Carpenter.
"I was stunned. It caught me off guard," he said. "I thought if the day came this week that I wasn't an Eagle anymore, it would be through a trade. I think that's been in the barn all along.
"But . . . it's how it is. I thought I had displayed enough in the minicamps, training camp and the preseason to even play a little offense this year. It's tough. I loved it here, and it's going to be tough not putting on that Eagles uniform anymore. I still plan on being the best at what I do, and I thought I'd be doing it as an Eagle.
"But I can hold my head high. I know I didn't do anything to hurt myself. Kelvin just did what he had to do. I did what I was back there to do and I felt I earned a job. But it was a numbers thing. I know Ray Rhodes was in my corner, though. He was there for me. "
Said Rhodes: "That was a tough decision. Jeff's an outstanding young player and an outstanding young man. He's a guy who's really done everything we've asked him to do and just came up a little short. Jeff was a favorite of mine, he's a guy I really like a lot personally, but again, these are business decisions. "
Defensive tackle Renfro, whose poor work habits and inconsistent play cost him his job more than a series of injuries in recent years, was not available for comment.
"He spent a lot of time on the injured list and things just didn't materialize," Rhodes said. "Leonard got in some of the preseason games and did some things but I just wanted to go in a different direction. "
BIG BODY
From his dad's liquor store in Los Angeles to the NFL.
That's the story of Kevin Johnson, the newest Eagles defensive tackle claimed and awarded off waivers yesterday via the Oakland Raiders.
Johnson, 6-1, 310 pounds (last year) and a fourth-round pick of the New England Patriots in 1992, has yet to make it to a season opener in three NFL stops, including Minnesota and Oakland. Each year, he was released before the opener. He worked as a clerk/ cashier in his father's liquor store until signing with the Raiders in June.
"They need a big body in the middle, they said," Johnson said. "This is a good opportunity for me. I'm ready to showcase my talents. "
"He's a load guy who has quickness and moves around pretty well," Rhodes said. "I remember looking at the film and trying to distinguish who was who, and I had a tough time determining which guy I was looking at between him and Jerry Ball. "
The Eagles will take anything close.
BIRDSEED
Eagles defensive tackle Rhett Hall was released from Thomas Jefferson University Hospital yesterday after undergoing weeklong treatment and testing for blood clots on his lungs. The clots have dissolved and the Eagles remain optimistic about Hall's return this season. Hall will remain on blood thinners for several weeks . . . Freddie Solomon, a free-agent wide receiver/returner who did not survive the final cut, will be added to the practice squad, which has not been announced . . . There are still 7,100 tickets remaining to be sold for Sunday's game before the TV blackout can be lifted. Not good . . . Rhodes said he hopes to add two more players to be at the 53-man roster limit by Sunday. The Eagles are painfully thin at linebacker, with just five on the roster . . . The Birds worked out three more players, including ex- Giants fullback Kenyon Rasheed, who rushed 26 times for 86 yards the last two years.