The hits keep on coming as the Eagles signed another three free agents today. The first was RB Ronnie Brown, who we discussed earlier, and the most recent two are S Jarrad Page and RT Ryan Harris. Both Page and Harris signed one year deals.
Page is a 26 year old safety with good size (6-0, 225 lbs) and is entering his sixth NFL season. He was drafted bu the Chiefs in 2006 and started 40 games for them before being traded to the Patriots last year. He has 12 career picks and will provide the secondary with some range and physicality. He really had a great 2008 season where he started and compiled 85 tackles, four interceptions and 12 pass breakups. Injuries hurt his 2009 season and when he was traded to the Pats in 2010, he was mostly a backup before also getting hurt.
He’ll be put into the mix for the starting strong safety job that’s currently being contested between second year man Kurt Coleman and rookie second round pick Jaiquwan Jarrett.
The Eagles also made a move to shore up the right side of their line by agreeing to terms on a one year deal with former Bronco Ryan Harris. Harris was a third round pick in 2007 draft and started 34 games for the Broncos. He had registered 10 starts last year, but injuries limited him to just 11 appearances. Harris is an interesting prospect as he’s only 26 and was named the Sports Illustrated All Pro team in 2008.
If he stays healthy, he’s just the kind of athletic lineman that Howard Mudd likes. ESPN NFC East blogger Dan Graziano was surprised the market for Harris wasn’t better than it was and believe he fits the system run by Howard Mudd well.
It’s a surprising signing because Harris is only 26 years old, well regarded as a top right tackle and likely thought he’d get a long-term deal once the market opened.
Harris is an athletic offensive lineman who fits what new line coach Howard Mudd is looking for. It would appear he has a good chance to beat out Winston Justice for the starting right tackle job. The Eagles employ a left-handed quarterback in Michael Vick, which means the right side of the line is his blind side.