DE Joins Eagles Sack Hunt
The Eagles have signed the Canadian Football's League's 2010 sack leader, defensive end Phillip Hunt.
DE Joins Eagles Sack Hunt
Les Bowen, Daily News Staff Writer
The Eagles added another pass-rusher to their mix yesterday when they signed the Canadian Football League's 2010 sack leader, defensive end Phillip Hunt, to a three-year contract.
Hunt notched 16 sacks for Winnipeg last season, his second in the CFL after failing to make the Cleveland Browns as an undrafted free agent out of Houston in 2009.
"This organization has a strong, winning tradition, and with a quarterback like Michael Vick and players like DeSean Jackson, just to name a few, it's a great organization to be a part of," Hunt told the Eagles' Web site. "This was a bit like coming out of college. I was a free agent and I had a chance to choose my own team that I wanted to go to. At this time, I was just focused on picking the correct team instead of just going out on a limb and picking any team. I did a little bit of research with this team and I know Andy Reid and Juan Castillo, they have a lot of great coaches here."
The Eagles hope Hunt, 6-0, 248, can duplicate the success of Cameron Wake, the former CFL star who made the Pro Bowl this past season for the Dolphins, playing as a 3-4 linebacker. Hunt apparently generated interest from several teams, especially the Vikings, who reportedly were ready to offer him a contract.
"The scheme fits me perfectly with my frame. There are guys here like Trent Cole and Brandon Graham, guys who are shorter in stature," Hunt said. "We create great leverage and we are also able to bend the corner at the curb and get to the quarterback really quickly. This fits my style of play very well and I look forward to contributing in a big way."
The Eagles also confirmed that tight end Clay Harbor, a fourth-round rookie last season, has undergone sports hernia surgery. He should be fine for training camp.
apparently the new coaches aren't changing the player approach... another 5'8" DB and another 250lb DL... hooboy— raoool- Sounds like a bunch of whiners on here again, but for a few. I'm glad there are so many experts.— simplefreedom
- Let's stop already with these FB-sized DEs. It hurts them as much as it hurts us. Can he play strong safety ? Instead, let's play King Dunlap at nose guard and make the QB pass over his outstretched arms. And Nick Cole next to him, just bull-rushing all the time. Hey, at least they'd keep the same coach ! And if Jamal Jackson is back, then put Mike McGlynn on the D-line too. Have any 2nd-string O-linemen play 1st-string D-line so we have some size. They're getting paid, so why not ?— landt
- Of the 15 comments before me I would say 13 of them are idiots. Who cares who we sign for camp bodies...its February. If he makes team we did good...if not, cut him and move on!!! At least he chose us fools!— lenhogger
- Andy needs a lot of DEs because they can't hold up against guys who are 6 inches taller and 60 lb heavier. Plus that they go out for the season because of he cleat injuries on their frontside as the OL runs over them.— 4thand10
- James Harrison undrafted free agent in 2002. Eagles last good draft, look it up. What if they selected this guy instead of Tyreo Harrison in the sixth and kept Raheem Brock, seventh round pick out of...Temple. What if......— TommyGun
- Hmmm, James Harrison of the Steelers - pretty good player - lets check his stats....6'0" , 242lbs.— workin365
- Who says they'll use him at DE? The article made reference to Cameron Wake, who was a DE in the CFL, but is now a LB. Yes, he plays in a 3-4, but maye he'll work out as a hybrid "joker".
— phillychaos 
Any relation to hightly coveted draft pick Tony Hunt??? I'm sure he'll have about the same impact on Sundays.....- Relax folks. This a a "roster-filling" signing, not a projected starter. And by the way, I seriously doubt that the CFL is full of 6-5 280 lb sack machines.
- Another small lineman who couldn't find an NFL team coming out of college......I'm glad things are so different now around here with the new coaches and all........didn't we sign a RB last year that supposedly tore up the CFL 2 years ago, what was that guys name.....????? Hard to remember since HE NEVER SAW THE FIELD.
- how did he get injured again?
So maybe he plays LB? Wouldn't be the first time AR took a DE and made an LB out of him.— tpizza- You forgot to mention which knee he shredded.— flyerdup
- Actually, I think the NFL should have weight limits by position. These guys take a terrible beating and they end up carrying that weight the rest of their lives. It is easier to move your weight up and down as a younger person, but by the time these guys finish up (some of them anyway), their bodies don't respond to the sudden need to decrease size. Look at many former players you see around on tv or where ever they may be. Most are not as large as they were during their playing days, but linemen have more difficulty dropping the weight. Can you imagine carrying 320 at 6'4" - muscle or otherwise? Geez.— jokyjoky
- You should realize by now,mmcf1414 Andy Reid doesn't want anyone as big as he is on the team.— essell
- Why not just invite back Bryan Smith, Jamal Green or Quinten Caver. They're probably still paying them. On the other hand, he can probably wear Teo's uniform, since he won't be needing it anymore.— jimmyj
- Just another body for practice. Who knows, maybe he'll be Graham's replacement, because that SERIOUS knee injury just might keep him from being a SERIOUS player.— TBear
- The knee injury will be used as an excuse for him. He was never going to be a serious player.
- The experts disagree with you as many outside the Eagles organization pegged this guy as a real player and a good pick for the Eagles. But I guess you know more than all of them.
- WOW--another small DE!!! I do not know how much more of AR I can take.— PortCity
- 6-0, 248 = fullback, l/b...... 6-0, 248 doesn't = de; especially considering we already have 3 of them..... has anyone referenced the size of D-Ware?, Mario Williams?, Umenyiora? This isn't rocket science, ANDY, maybe if you weren't too busy snorting hoagies at nova care you would realize that you need SIZE in the trenches. CASE AND POINT, Andy Reid has compiled a starting OL w/ALL TACKLES b/c he acknowledges that SIZE MATTERS IN THE TRENCHES. All you have to do is flip the script Santa, get big on both sides!!!— mmcf1414
