Eagles boot McBriar, bring in Jones
The Philadelphia Daily News - Eagletarian
Eagles boot McBriar, bring in Jones
Les Bowen, Daily News Staff Writer
Donnie Jones thought he had earned another year with the Houston Texans, but when that didn't seem to be working out, Jones was happy to sign on with the Eagles, who announced him Monday as their new punter.
The Eagles released Mat McBriar, the former Cowboys Pro Bowler who beat out Chas Henry last season, but never seemed to come all the way back to the form he showed before a nerve problem caused by a cyst derailed his career.
Jones, 32, is a nine-year vet who was an All-Pro choice twice, with the Rams in 2008 and 2009. He also has punted for the Dolphins and Seahawks. Last season, he was signed because Texans punter Brett Hartmann had to serve a three-game illegal substance suspension, but Jones ended up winning the job outright. He finished the year with a 47.2-yard gross and a 40.5-yard net, with 28 punts downed inside the 20. McBriar had a 46.5-yard gross but a 36.5-yard net, in part a reflection of the Eagles' poor coverage. He dropped 13 punts inside the 20.
"They had told us really numerous times throughout the offseason they wanted to re-sign me," Jones told a conference call with Philadelphia reporters Monday. "I know I was told that in the exit meeting, when I met with the GM (Rick Smith). They were real happy with the year I had, definitely wanted to bring me back ... in the end, it didn't work out. (Agent Drew Rosenhaus) had talked to Howie Roseman at the owners' meetings (last week), and we were able to get something worked out then.
"I really wasn't waiting on (the Texans, who signed Shane Lechler to a three-year deal over the weekend). My thought is that Philadelphia really wanted me here. You always want to go somewhere where you're wanted. After meeting with the special teams coach here, Dave Fipp, and with coach (Chip) Kelly, I'm really thankful to be here and have an opportunity to work with these guys."
Jones joins Texans-in-exile James Casey, Connor Barwin and DeMeco Ryans. He is the Birds' ninth free agent signing this offseason, and continues a trend at attempting to shore up the team's dreadful 2012 special teams units.
"Donnie Jones is a guy we have admired over the last several years," Roseman, the Eagles' general manager, said in a statement released by the team. "He has one of the strongest legs in the entire NFL, and we're excited we had a chance to sign him.. We watched a lot of tape on him, and he's coming off a very good season with Houston. We feel he'll add a good element to our special teams units."
Roseman praised McBriar as a "consummate professional" in the way he battled back from surgery to solve the nerve problem.
Heh Headline reads "Birds add All-Pro Punter" Then they have a picture of him kicking it off the side of his foot. Talk about a bad omen.
Eagles collect more junk— stardog- Oh yeah! With this move the Eagles are Superbowl bound.— SedatedManiac
- SuperBowl is on the backburner after a 4 win season. These signings are all about replacing bad players with better players and being better than last year. It is a process. We are not going to break the bank for a bunch of lazy underachievers. I see upgrades at every position and we have plenty left to sign draft picks without going to salary cap hell like the brokeback boys. Relax and enjoy the ride. — REVOLUTION
- WHO CARES ABOUT LOSER EAGLES?? G-MAN NEWS ONLY!!!!!
NOONE CARES ANYTHING ABOUT EAGLES SHAME THEY DID NOT MOVE TO PHOENIX IN 1985!!!!!! GO BIG BLUE!!!!!!!! GO PHILLIES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
— PHILLIES & GMAN FAN 4 LIFE - Don't the Giants have a web site ?????
Girlie men like you should hang out with others of your ilk.
Oh and the Phillies don't want you on their bandwagon either.
Go hang out in the swamp that is NJ.— phillyroni - Go Eagles. Go Phillies. And you, dude, back off on Jersey. — TEDcGEGI
- Nice move. Punters only become exposed when they don't perform and/or kick right into the teeth of the return set up. McBriar toughed it out but this guy is consistent. I wonder if he can hold for extra points and field goals.
- Can't be worse than the one we had. I guess we've officially cornered the market on Texans castoffs.— Stephen45
- Why do we need a punter? Isn't Vick going to score on every drive?— farley
- It's shocking how many people comment/critique football who have never been around the game. Eaglessuperfan - Donnie Jones is actually depicting ideal contact for punting a tight spiral. This (as I'm sure you know) is integral for generating deep yardage and height. Your comment is the equivalent of criticizing a quarterback for gripping the laces of a football when throwing.— estevus2
- That is good news.— hunglikeaton
- Pee Wee Roseman found a punter who was in the Pro Bowl back in 2008 & 2009. This should help the Eagles win the Salary Cap Bowl....— kelprod2-freemarket
- Fans are great because they criticize if no action is taken and also criticize every move the management makes. Unbelievably negative and uninformed fans in Philly and their very poor national reputation is well-deserved. Embarrassing!!!— hankhammer2
- I AGREE!!!! Having lived outside of Philly for 13 of the past 15 years, I've never met anyone who was not from the Philly area who has ever had anything positive to say about the city's fans. Besides being overly aggressive to outside fans visiting Philly, they expect to be treated with respect when visiting other ballparks. Then there is the endless berating of the management, coaches, and players who aren't perfect. What a depressing city. No wonder everyone is so fat, they need to eat their sorrows away. — hoyaray
