Brodrick

Bunkley

The Eagles won this battle. Bunkley and Philadelphia were at odds about the length of the deal, but management waited Bunkley out. The impressive physical specman adds depth to a solid tackle group on Philadelphia. Dolphins safety Jason Allen’s agent, locked in a similar dispute, won’t like the news.

No. 15 pick Tye Hill signed Sunday, which should help. Bunkley is thought to be training at Florida State.

Defensive coordinator Jim Johnson’s complex scheme doesn’t leave much room for rookies slow to catch on. Bunkley could find himself battling to be a key part of the rotation in his first year.

Listed as the starter opposite Kevin Vickerson, Bunkley had been sidelined since the third preseason game. It’s not yet clear if he will be in the lineup for Monday night’s game. Either way, Darren McFadden has an excellent matchup.

The 4-3 nose position is different from the 3-4 nose. 4-3 NTs are ordinarily lighter and expected to rush the passer more. “He’s got some talent,” the AFC exec said of Bunkley. “He can get up the field and be that penetrator.” Other potential 4-3 nose tackles on the market include Pat Sims (Bengals), Luis Castillo (Chargers), Trevor Laws (Eagles), and Cory Redding (Ravens).

Bunkley spent Tuesday evening in New Orleans, but has otherwise been greeted by a slow-developing market for defensive tackles. Now that the Broncos are no longer preoccupied by the chase for Peyton Manning, they could have Bunkley back in the fold in relatively short order.

With GM Mickey Loomis’ suspension not yet implemented, it’s business as usual in the Saints’ front office as the team stays the course amid bounty scandal discipline. The Broncos were making a “hard” push to re-sign Bunkley as of Tuesday, but the Saints apparently beat Denver’s offer. Bunkley has only six sacks in six seasons, but he is an effective one-gap, 4-3 nose tackle. He projects as an upgrade on outgoing Shaun Rogers and Aubrayo Franklin.

It’s Bunkley’s first known visit since the start of free agency. The Saints have a hole at defensive tackle with both Shaun Rogers and Aubrayo Franklin expected to walk.

Bunkley left in the third quarter and did not return. He heads into free agency after recording 43 tackles and no sacks in 16 regular season games.

Previously the Broncos’ nickel linebacker and special teams captain, Woodyard took on a bigger role in 2011, cruising to a new career high in tackles (97). The Post also expects DT Brodrick Bunkley and K Matt Prater to be priorities amongst the Broncos’ own free agents.