Meet the new Eagles

A look at some of the key new faces that will be in camp this year:

Nate Allen, S

Age: 22 (turns 23 on Nov. 30)

Years pro: Rookie

Height/Weight: 6-1/210

How acquired: Second-round pick out of South Florida (No. 37 overall) in 2010.

Notable: Enters camp as the starter at free safety. Inherited the job, more or less, when Marlin Jackson was injured . . . Was selected with the primary pick acquired in the Donovan McNabb trade to Washington (in addition to a conditional third- or fourth-rounder next year) . . . Allen scored four touchdowns at South Florida - on an interception return, a fumble return, a blocked field goal return and a reception.

Mike Bell

Age: 27 (turns 28 on April 23)

Years pro: 5

Height/Weight: 6-0/225

How acquired: Signed as a restricted free agent from New Orleans on March 16.

Notable: Will back up LeSean McCoy . . . Bell was mostly a short-yardage guy for the Saints. He had a career-high 172 rushes last year (654 yards) and two carries for 4 yards in the Super Bowl . . . Has the odd habit of snacking on (burp!) gummy bears and beef jerky at halftime.

Brandon Graham, DE

Age: 22 (turns 23 on April 3)

Years pro: Rookie

Height/Weight: 6-2/268

How acquired: First-round pick out of Michigan (No. 13 overall) in 2010.

Notable: The Eagles traded up 11 places and made Graham the first defensive end selected. He'll be part of coordinator Sean McDermott's rotation . . . Only defensive player in Michigan history to win team MVP twice (2008-09) . . . Born and raised in Detroit, Graham grew up a Red Wings fan, but says he's never thrown an octopus. He was 9 years old when the Wings beat the Flyers in the 1997 Cup finals.

Alex Hall, LB

Age: 24 (turns 25 on Aug. 17)

Years pro: 3

Height/Weight: 6-5/250

How acquired: Via trade from Cleveland along with 2010 fourth- and fifth-round draft picks for Sheldon Brown and Chris Gocong.

Notable: May see some time at defensive end, the position he played in college . . . Attended St. Augustine's, a Division II school in North Carolina . . . Born in D.C. and, while in high school, worked in fan services for the Washington Nationals baseball team.

Ernie Sims, LB

Age: 25 (turns 26 on Dec. 23)

Years pro: 5

Height/Weight: 6-0/230

How acquired: Via a three-team trade with Detroit and Denver on April 19 that cost the Eagles a 2010 fifth-round pick (to Denver).

Notable: Expected to be the starting weakside linebacker . . . One of the last Detroit players of the very disappointing Matt Millen era . . . An avid animal lover, Sims has all manners of reptiles, dogs and even a pet monkey named Sidney. He has said he is fine sharing a locker room with Michael Vick - Sims, that is. Not sure how Sidney feels.

Darryl Tapp, DE

Age: 25 (turns 26 on Sept. 13)

Years pro: 5

Height/Weight: 6-1/270

How acquired: Via trade from Seattle for Chris Clemons and a 2010 fourth-round pick.

Notable: Will be part of the defensive line rotation . . . Victor Abiamiri's knee injury was a likely catalyst for the Eagles making the trade for Tapp . . . Hasn't missed a game as a pro - 64 regular season, four postseason.

Note: The Eagles signed free agent safety Marlin Jackson from Indianapolis, but he injured his knee during minicamps and was placed on the season-ending injured reserve list.

- Ed Barkowitz