Sunday, February 20, 2011
Posted: 11:43 a.m.Updated: 1:51 p.m.By Reuben FrankCSNPhilly.com
The Eagles signed former CFL and Bengals linebacker and special teams standout Rashad Jeanty to a one-year contract Sunday.
Jeanty, 6-foot-2, 245 pounds, started 32 games for the Bengals from 2006 through 2009. He broke his left fibula while blocking during Bernard Scotts 56-yard kickoff return during the Bengals 2009 wild-card game against the Jets and then was released by the Bengals this past preseason.
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Jeanty, 27, gives the Eagles some veteran depth during a period where its difficult to add veteran players. Only players who arent under contract to any team can sign before the CBA is expected to expire on March 3.
After graduating from Central Florida, Jeanty spent four years in Canada, playing for the Edmonton Eskimos. He was on the 2002 and 2005 teams that both won the Grey Cup. During his years with the Bengals, he was primarily a strong-side linebacker.
The Eagles are unsettled at best at linebacker going into the offseason. There are no real locks at the linebacker position.
Stewart Bradley can play middle or strong but missed all of the 2009 season and the end of last season with injuries and is a free agent. Jamar Chaney is a likely starter somewhere, either strong-side or in the middle, where he finished 2010. Ernie Sims is also a free agent after a disappointing 2010 season on the weak side and isnt expected back. Moise Fokou played fairly well on the strong side in 2010 but isnt a lock to start in 2011.
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Central Florida is also the alma mater of Asante Samuel, one-time Eagles defensive end Greg Jefferson and former first-round pick Daunte Culpepper.
Atogwe unlikely
According to a high-ranking team official, the Eagles arent likely to pursue safety O.J. Atogwe, who was released on Friday after spending six seasons with the Rams.
Drafted by St. Louis in the third round of the 2005 draft, Atogwe has 22 career interceptions and five sacks. He turns 30 in June.
E-mail Reuben Frank at rfrank@comcastsportsnet.com