Eagles re-sign King Dunlap
The Philadelphia Inquirer Blog - Eagles
Eagles re-sign King Dunlap
Jonathan Tamari and Jeff McLane
The Eagles re-signed tackle King Dunlap to a one-year contract, the team announced.
Dunlap has played in 38 games over the past three seasons, with seven starts, and has developed into a versatile backup they can depend on when one of their top linemen is injured. He has started at both tackle spots and even filled in one game at guard in 2011.
The 6-foot-9 Dunlap also blocked a field goal against the 49ers last season.
Dunlap, an unrestricted free agent, said he received a few offers from other teams, but that he ultimately wanted to stay in Philadelphia.
"It wasn't too hard of a decision," Dunlap said by phone.
After parting ways with Winston Justice and Jamaal Jackson, bringing back Dunlap gives the Eagles some depth behind their starters.
Selected in the seventh round of the 2008 draft, the 6-foot-9 Dunlap spent his first season on injured reserve and played primarily on special teams during his second season. But he earned his first career start at left tackle in 2010 in place of Jason Peters and would log starts at right tackle and left guard over the next two seasons.
"When I first came into the league Juan Castillo told me that the more positions I knew how to play the more chance I had of staying on a roster," Dunlap said.
When Howard Mudd replaced Castillo as offensive line coach last year Dunlap's chances of making the team appeared to be in jeopardy. Mudd's blocking techniques sometimes favor smaller players and Dunlap, like several other linemen, struggled to adapt early on.
"There were a couple of us that really had trouble adjusting because we had been doing it Juan's way for so long," Dunlap said. "But I think I really started to get it down sometime during the season."
Even though the Eagles starting line -- tackles Jason Peters and Todd Herremans, guards Evan Mathis and Danny Watkins and center Jason Kelce -- is signed at least through 2014, Dunlap said that all it takes is one injury to play.
"Everybody wants a crack at starting," Dunlap said. "But injuries happen, and as the sixth man, I have to be ready."
I prefer him over Justice - 09 is right, he's really versatile— dragoon6- King Dunlap won't make the team— Sports4Life
- So when does the news about Jason Peter's achilles actually come on to the site? Heard he was injured in a workoout.— Blue and White
- What's up with Peter's Achillies injury??????— pflynn20
- Good move for depth.— Warhound
Andy kept King Dunlap around as a constant reminder of his own condition, "dun-lap disease". Fatboy's belly dun-lapped over his belt.— ANDY-IS-FAT- A lot of people here seem to think we should just sign a starting 22 of all pro bowlers, and not have any cap room for any backups.
I guess it would save expenses as we'd only need one team bus. And a fork lift for Andy.— Elbarad - Good special teamer too.— wally18
- So what injury happened to Peters?
— SilliBilli - good for him— sore richard
- Well, he got his one injury....Peters won't play this year at all. King is your new starter on the left side. Now, who's gonna back up?— Mark1npt
- Looks like he's a starter now that Peters ruptured his achilles.— nceagle
Comment removed.- Dunlap said that all it takes is one injury to play -- The guy is Nostradamus— Grazman
- Is Dunlap a psychic?— MrMiles1
