PHILADELPHIA -- The Philadelphia Eagles have made qualifying offers to four of the five players who could have become free agents if the team had not offered them new contracts.
An Eagles spokesman said Friday the team had offered new contracts to running back Walter Abercrombie, wide receiver Ron Johnson, defensive end John Klingel and offensive lineman Reggie Singletary.
The Eagles did not offer a contract to offensive lineman Bob Landsee, making him a total free agent eligible to sign with any NFL team without compensation due the Eagles.
All five of the players were on Philadelphia's unprotected list as part of the NFL's new free-agent procedure, but none were signed by another team before the April 1 deadline.
Philadelphia was required to offer the players a contract for no less than 100 percent of their 1988 salary if they wished to retain rights to them.
Landsee, a sixth-round draft choice in 1986, was waived by the Eagles last season but was returned to the roster because of injury. NFL rules prohibit teams from releasing an injured player.
Abercrombie, who was released by the Pittsburgh Steelers before the season, was signed as a free agent in November and was used primarily as a kick returner.
Johnson, a four-year veteran signed as a free agent in 1985, was waived in August but re-signed in October after Mike Quick was injured. Johnson ended the season with 19 catches for 417 yards and two touchdowns.
Klingel, who was signed as a free agent before the 1987 season, played mostly on special teams last year.
Singletary, a 12th-round draft pick in 1986, started at right guard for the first nine games last season in place of the injured Ron Baker but lost his job when Baker returned andplayed mostly on kicking teams after that.
