Reid: McBriar '90 Percent' as he Recovers
The Philadelphia Daily News - Eagletarian
Reid: McBriar '90 Percent' as he Recovers
Les Bowen, Daily News Staff Writer
BETHLEHEM -- Two days after holding a four-punter workout, the Eagles announced they have signed Mat McBriar to a one-year contract.
McBriar, 33, is a two-time Pro Bowl selection for the Cowboys, most recently in 2010. He was bothered last season by a nerve problem with his left, plant foot, and was released. The Cowboys worked McBriar out Tuesday, but according to ESPN.com, the Eagles offered him a better deal.
He is the Cowboys' all-time leader in gross (45.3) yards and net (38.1). He had surgery in the offseason to remove a left leg cyst that was pressing on a nerve, causing a "drop foot" condition.
What does this mean? Very likely, McBriar is the Eagles' punter this year instead of incumbent Chas Henry, though they will compete in training camp.
Eagles coach Andy Reid said after the morning practice that the Birds would have worked McBriar out earlier, but he is still recovering from the nerve damage. Reid said McBriar is about "90 percent" in the plant leg, on which he wears a brace.
"It should be great competition. That's what we're trying to do," Reid said. "You're talking about a kid that is one of the best in the National Football League. He's coming off an injury, so we'll have to see how that all works out, how he works through that, but he had a good workout, obviously impressed us there. I wouldn't expect Chas to bow down to him at all; he's gonna come out and compete. It should be a good battle."
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If his injury problem is solved, this is a very good move. Rather have a reliable and consistent proven guy back there. So far, the Eagles seem to be pushing all the right buttons.— Z-Force- Why? Did the Eagles find out Henry is a flake or on drugs or something? Would like to know what brought this on.........how about some reporting from the reporters????????— Mark1npt
- Henry was very inconsistent last year and not very good, that is what brought this on. Look at his numbers. How is that for reporting.— NickM
- Very well said. Is this Nick M in San Jose? — Philly Jinx
- True NickM, plus it was confusing having both kickers with basically the same name.— dragoon6
- Watch Henry in pre-game warm-ups. The length of his kicks are all you need to see... Good directional guy, but not going to boom very many deep ones...— topwonk
- 8-8 was the punters fault...Mat McBriar DreamTeam Part 2.— CharlieGarner25
- Not the punter's fault, but if they can improve at that position, why shouldn't they? It may not make the difference in the season, but it could make the difference in any particular game. — SteveS11
- yea, theres nothing wrong with doing it, but it also changes nothing. Why run a system on offense, and defense that both have never won a superbowl ?
Comment removed.- Henry's net per punt was quite good...better than McBriar and the other guys they brought in to take a look at, just sayin'. I did like McBriar when he was punting for Dallas and they were after him too so this keeps him out of DTown.— Mark1npt
- Say goodbye to Henry the VIII.— lenny429
- This is what good organizations do,(Sign McBriar)whenever the opportunity is there, to improve the talent level at every position. The two punters are in an open competition for approximately six weeks, two weeks of camp and four exhibition games. The winner of the competition will have earned a spot on the roster as the punter.— billro33
Competition is a good thing, maybe this is just to let Henrey know not to get too comfortable.- The punter could be Ray Guy. Who cares? Repeat after me, as long as Mike "Dynasty" Vick is the QB and Andy Reid is the coach, the Eagles will never win a Super Bowl. Acknowledging the truth is good for the soul.— syddan26
