Thurmond looking to pick off a payday

PHILADELPHIA >> Walter Thurmond deserves a raise. The Eagles’ safety picked off four passes this season, not three, which was the number thanks to a statistician listing Giants quarterback Eli Manning with a fumble Sunday rather than a Thurmond pick.

Playing all 16 games as a hybrid safety this season, Thurmond didn’t show to be Jairus Byrd or Devin McCourty, but he’s close. Guys who can play safety and corner are at a premium in the pass-happy NFL.

Thurmond also is a realist. When he looks at the double-digits list of Eagles free agents, he cannot get past Sam Bradford, the obvious priority. It’s going to take a package averaging close to $20 million a year to keep the quarterback in town.

“They only have $17 million in cap space,” Thurmond said of the Eagles. “Economically it doesn’t make sense for them. I would love to be here. I love playing here. But that’s the way it is.”

Thurmond completed a 1-year, $3.25 million contract with the Eagles. He’s proof the Seahawks really do develop good defensive backs. They took Thurmond off the board in 2010.

Thurmond checked the no injuries box this year as he equaled the number of games he played in the previous three seasons. Now he’s going to get paid. It just won’t be the Eagles unless they move on from Bradford or possibly Vinny Curry, the pass rusher they’ve been reluctant to trade or pay. The Eagles can only use the franchise tag on one player.

Thurmond has done his homework. He figures the Raiders have the most cap room. And yes, he’s OK if the team relocates to Los Angeles.

●●● The Eagles signed Kevin Monangai, the running back out of Villanova University and seven others to futures Monday.

Also signed were offensive linemen Brett Boyko and Malcolm Bunche, linebackers Deonatae Skinner and Brandon Hepburn, wide receiver Freddie Martino and defensive tackle Travis Raciti. All were on the practice squad.

●●● The Eagles confirmed Monday that they interviewed Pat Shurmur, formerly their offensive coordinator, for the head coaching vacancy created when they

contracts fired Chip Kelly.

The Eagles didn’t confirm that Adam Gase, who’s on their short list per sources, would interview this week. Gase is offensive coordinator of the Bears.

Reports indicated Mike Shanahan, most recently with Washington, approached the Eagles with interest in coaching them.

Shanahan would fit the retired coaching category owner Jeff Lurie has said he will look into. Shanahan has two Super Bowl titles on his resume.