Wilson yesterday emerged from Gonzalez' considerable shadow by signing a 3-year contract with the Eagles. Considering there already are three other tight ends on the Birds' roster, now it's Wilson taking the risk.

"I'm coming in here to play tight end," he said yesterday on the stage of the NovaCare Complex auditorium. "The coaches told me that I'll be working primarily at tight end."

The Eagles placed the franchise tag on L.J. Smith in February and drafted Brent Celek in the fifth round last year. The third tight end is Matt Schobel, who had just 11 catches in 2007.

Coach Andy Reid was not available for comment.

Wilson, who turns 27 in August, was born in Harrisburg and attended J.P. McCaskey High School in Lancaster. The 6-2, 251-pounder played at the University of Pittsburgh, where he was one of three finalists for the John Mackey Award given to the nation's premier tight end. (Kellen Winslow Jr., currently with the Browns, won it.)

A two-time member of the Big East all-academic team, Wilson recently launched the Kris Wilson Foundation and aims to battle illiteracy among children. He grew up an Eagles fan, admiring particularly Randall Cunningham, Fred Barnett and Keith Byars.

Gonzalez' stranglehold on the tight end position caused Wilson to change positions in 2006. He started 12 games last year as an H-back. Even though he registered a career-best 24 catches, his primary responsibility was opening holes for a Kansas City running game that became inconsistent after Larry Johnson was injured.

"Some difficulty arises when you're playing behind someone of the caliber of Tony Gonzalez," Wilson said. "Out in Kansas City, they were looking for ways to get me on the field. They wanted to get me onto the field, and the opportunity arose at fullback. And so, we took advantage of it."

Wilson also played special teams. He was the wing blocking back on the punt team and played on the kickoff and kickoff return squads. With the recent signings of Rocky Boiman and Dan Klecko, the Eagles are hoping to bolster their own special teams, especially the punt-coverage unit that ranked 28th last season.

Wilson also made visits to Green Bay and Tampa Bay. How much work he gets at tight end for the Eagles obviously remains to be seen. Smith is coming off an injury-plagued season that limited him to 10 games. Wilson's a smart guy, and almost certainly knows this.

"I'm here to play football, compete and to try to get a chair in the room," he said. "I think my skill set definitely allows for more success at tight end." *