Dan

Connor

Connor was scheduled to visit the Steelers on Wednesday, but he never actually went. The Raiders really could use three new starting linebackers, so Oakland would be one of Connor’s better options for playing time.

Oakland has signed two new linebackers over the last couple of days, so Connor isn’t needed as much as he was when he arrived for the visit. After not playing all that well in a 3-4 with Dallas last season, Connor is best suited for a 4-3.

Connor is one of the better backup linebackers around, so the Panthers are lucky to have him with Jon Beason (Achilles) done for the year. Connor started eight games a year ago, recording 47 tackles and sack in those contests. We’d expect more production this year as an elite run-stuffer, making him an IDP add.

He’ll undergo surgery on September 16. It’s the worst-case scenario for Carolina’s IDP stud, who has never missed a start since being the No. 25 overall pick of the 2007 draft. Beason had been dealing with Achilles’ soreness since May, however, and undoubtedly came back too quickly. The blame for that lies squarely on the Panthers for playing Beason just two weeks after what was supposedly a “minor” Achilles’ operation. Dan Connor will take Beason’s place at middle linebacker.

According to the Wilmington News Journal, Connor had a one-year offer from the Eagles, but it wasn’t close to what the Cowboys were offering. Although the organization was impressed with Bruce Carter in his return from ACL surgery late last season, the signing of strong run defender Connor suggests they’re not ready to hand Carter a starting job. The odds favor Connor starting alongside former Penn State teammate Sean Lee at inside linebacker. Carter will likely enter games in nickel situations, replacing Connor.

Connor is a rock-solid player and could fit Dallas’ 3-4 scheme nicely at inside ‘backer, but it would be surprising if the Cowboys paid him big money with Bruce Carter ready to start next to Sean Lee. While the Cowboys likely have some interest in Connor, he will do better on the open market than they think.

The Eagles aren’t going to make splash moves in free agency, but Connor should make for a reasonably priced solution at middle linebacker, immediately upgrading a porous run defense.

Eskin reports the Eagles are planning to focus on their own free agents for the time being. It’s a change since Monday evening, where CBS Sports’ Pete Prisco reported he “kept hearing” Connor to the Eagles “will be done.” It’s likely the Eagles are planning to revisit Connor later in the week once the market has done a better job of establishing his value.

He could be going to the NFC East after all. In Dallas, Connor would be reunited with 2011 breakout star Sean Lee, with whom he played at Penn State. The Cowboys’ interest in Connor suggests Bruce Carter may not be ready for a major 2012 role.

The word comes via “several league sources.” The sources disagree on the extent of the Eagles’ interest, but confirm they approached the Panthers about acquiring Connor last August. Thrust into a significant role after Jon Beason tore his Achilles in Week 1, Connor made 75 tackles, and graded out well against the run by Pro Football Focus. He’d be a solid, reasonably-priced addition for an Eagles team that must shore up its linebacker corps and run defense.