Leodis McKelvin signs with Eagles
The Eagles started their free agent acquisitions one day early when they signed veteran cornerback Leodis McKelvin to a two-year contract on Tuesday.
McKelvin, 30, was released by the Buffalo Bills last week, which allowed him to sign elsewhere at any time - even before the start of the league year at 4 p.m. on Wednesday, when contracts expire and free agents can begin signing with other teams. At that time, the Eagles can officially trade DeMarco Murray, Byron Maxwell, and Kiko Alonso, and they can spend the money they opened up with those trades.
But the Eagles first reached an agreement with McKelvin that will pay him $6.2 million, according to league sources. McKelvin visited Philadelphia on Tuesday morning before deciding to stay after eight seasons in Buffalo. He did not want to make any other visits because he wanted to "get things solidified." The signing reunites McKelvin with defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz, who coached McKelvin in 2014.
"Why Philadelphia? Just familiar with the defense," McKelvin said. "I feel confidence on the defensive side - it's pretty much what I played."
The 2008 first-round pick was a starter for parts of his eight years in Buffalo, including nine games under Schwartz. He finished with a career-high four interceptions that season, and he likes Schwartz's scheme because "it's not too complex" and lets players play to their talent.
McKelvin missed the first half of last season with an ankle injury and returned to the lineup to start five of the final nine games - including one game at safety. McKelvin has played outside cornerback, slot cornerback, and safety during his career. He also was a standout returner, with three punt-return touchdowns and one kick-return touchdown in his career.
"I can play anywhere," said McKelvin, who is 5-foot-10 and 185 pounds. "I can see myself where this coaching staff wants me to play."
Injuries have been a problem for McKelvin throughout his career. He played 16 games in a season just three times. But McKelvin said Tuesday that this is the healthiest he's been in the last 3-4 years, and he was relieved when his physical did not raise any problems.
Eagles fans might be familiar with McKelvin from the Eagles-Bills game last season, when he intercepted Sam Bradford after chasing down a pass and ripping the ball from Brent Celek's grasp. McKelvin said he knew the play was coming because Chip Kelly called similar plays throughout the drive.
"They kept on running it," McKelvin said. "They ran it about four or five times going down the field. They basically went to the other side, but they kept on running it. I just had a feeling he was going to go back to it."
McKelvin had a chance of becoming an Eagle in 2008, when the Bills selected him out of Troy with the No. 11 overall pick. He said he found out on his visit that the Eagles wanted to trade up from No. 19 to acquire him. Instead, they traded out of the first round and took Trevor Laws and DeSean Jackson in the second round.
He's finally with the Eagles now, and it was the first signing of what is expected to be a busy week for the Eagles.
During the last three years, the Eagles signed a free agent on the first day of free agency. In 2013 and 2014 when Howie Roseman was in charge, they had a targeted approach of mid- to low-tier free agents on the day when the marquee free agents draw the most headlines. Their strategy this season will be revealed on Wednesday afternoon.
@ZBerm