Eagles sign RB Ronnie Brown, RT Ryan Harris, S Jarrad Page
The Eagles have signed running back Ronnie Brown, a former Dolphin, to a one-year deal.
Eagles sign RB Ronnie Brown, RT Ryan Harris, S Jarrad Page
Jonathan Tamari
The Eagles have signed running back Ronnie Brown, a former Dolphin, to a one-year deal.
UPDATE: They also signed right tackle Ryan Harris, a former Bronco who started 10 games last season to a one-year deal. Harris was a right tackle in Denver who the Broncos expected to retain. (more below).
UPDATE: The Eagles also signed former Patriots safety Jarrad Page. Page, 26, had 12 tackles and two interceptions last year for the Patriots. He played in 10 games with one start. Before that he spent four years with the Chiefs, starting 39 games. He will compete to add depth to a position where the Eagles are very young.
Brown, a Pro Bowler in 2008, has six years of NFL experience and will provide a veteran presence behind LeSean McCoy.
Brown made a mark as a "Wildcat" back in Miami, something that will surely intrigue Andy Reid and Marty Mornhinweg, who tried several Wildcat plays last season, but with little success. Brown is also an able pass catcher -- he has had 32 or more receptions in all but one season --something else that is critical to any back in Philadelphia. UPDATE: Brown will get a $1 million base salary plus incentives.
“Ronnie is an all-around running back with a versatile skill set,” Eagles general manager Howie Roseman said in a news release. “He can run the ball, catch it, and does very well in pass protection. He’ll add some good size to our backfield and he’s a good character guy. We think he’ll be a tremendous compliment to LeSean [McCoy] and the other young backs on this team that we really like. You can never have enough good running backs in this league and we are happy to have Ronnie join us.”
But Brown's running numbers have dipped. He ran for 734 yards last season, the lowest total of his career in years when he played 12 or more games (he had lower total yardage twice, but in those seasons he played only nine and seven games). He averaged 3.7 yards-per-carry last year as the Dolphins' full time starter.
Brown tore the ACL on his right knee in 2007 and missed the final seven games of 2009 with a foot injury. He started all 16 games in 2010.
Brown's signing fills one of the few remaining holes on the team. Until now, the backup to McCoy was Dion Lewis, a fifth round pick in April.
Brown was the number two overall pick in the 2005 draft.
UPDATE: Harris has had 34 starts in his four-year career and comes to another position of need for the Eagles. Last year's starter, Winston Justice, is on the Physically Unable to Perform list after knee surgery, leaving King Dunlap as the top choice at that position.
- I hear ya
So glad we ran wiff off this site & now he's AZ's problem, lol
Seriously, I haven't felt this good about an upcoming season since 2004. I just hope they come together as a team. I'll be going to a bunch of games & I can't wait. GO EAGLES!!!— Mabus 
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Hip Hip Horray to Howie!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Seems like Howie is what was needed all these years. Big Red gets too attached to mediocre players but Howie is cleaning house and bringing in solid talent! Can't wait for season to start
WAY TO GO!— connorjr- Need more info on Harris, please! Give him his own article.— momeara001
- No mas, uh wait, I meant no Moss.— tpizza
- Comment removed.
- Andy, Howie, and Joey really did do their homework. Now, Willis is a beast, so let's see if that happens as well.— petergou
- RT Ryan Harris was a great signing. Got to protect the QB to have any chance of Super Bowl v-i-c-t-o-r-y. Joe Willie....— Namath
- Am I hallucinating or did the eagles just steal half the NFL.— Irving88
- Lots of good moves ao far.Lets hope they don't do something stupid like trading Samuel just to save a few bucks.— chops10
- This will be the Fat Man's last season coaching the Eagles. He refuses to beef up the linebackers and his game plan never changes. As always, he will get outcoached in the big game. But, at least now he doesn't have McNabb to choke in the big game as well. Adios Andy, the delis will miss you.— Justaschmuck
- I'd prefer McKinnie, but I like Harris a lot...they say he's been as good as Ryan Clady. The Broncos have a lot of $$$$ tied up in Clady!— Robi_LA
- AR and Howie are running the offseason like they're a High-Schooler playing Madden against their grandpas. KILLING IT!— soybot
- Folks, don't be surprised if Ryan Harris turns into a beast at right tackle. He was on the verge of stardom before he got hurt and made Peter King's All-Pro team several years ago.
If he's healthy and comes to camp trying to be what everyone thought he was out in Denver, he might (emphasize MIGHT) be the answer at right tackle.
The Broncos threw the ball well over 600 times one year. The kid only gave up 3 sacks all season long.
If he comes with an attitude and is ready to play, you never know with him.— 21stCentury - Comment removed.
