Eagles add G DeVan, begin filling practice squad
The Eagles added some offensive line depth today, signing guard Kyle DeVan, formerly of the Colts, and releasing defensive tackle Cedric Thornton.
Eagles add G DeVan, begin filling practice squad
Jonathan Tamari
The Eagles added some offensive line depth today, signing guard Kyle DeVan, formerly of the Colts, and releasing defensive tackle Cedric Thornton.
DeVan, six-foot-two, 309 pounds, started nine games in 2009 (under Howard Mudd) and 12 in 2010, but was released. He should add some experience and depth to an offensive line unit that on Saturday included three rookies among its nine members. If Danny Watkins doesn't make progress, DeVan might also challenge the rookie for a starting job.
The Eagles are also bringing back some familiar faces after making cuts Saturday.
Wide receiver Chad Hall, fullback Stanley Havili, linebacker Greg Lloyd, defensive end Daniel Te'o-Nesheim and guard Dallas Reynolds were all added to the practice squad.
Hall played eight games for the Eagles last season, catching 11 passes for 115 yards and a touchdown. He averaged 16.3 yards per return on four kickoff returns. A player can take part in up to nine games and still be eligible for the practice squad.
Hall's spot on the roster was put in jeopardy when the Eagles signed Steve Smith, a former Pro Bowler. Hall had a shot to make the team as a punt returner, but averaged three yards per return on three returns and fumbled twice in the final preseason game. He had 11 catches for 138 yards and one score in the preseason. He knows the Eagles system and is now available in case of injury.
Havili, a seventh round pick, never really challenged Owen Schmitt for the starting fullback job. He was believed to need work on his blocking coming out of USC, and that worry was borne out in training camp. He will get more time to develop.
Lloyd had knee surgery as a junior at UConn and was slowed in his senior year. The Eagles picked him up in the seventh round.
Reynolds spent all of the 2010 season and part of 2009 on the practice squad.
Te'o-Nesheim was a third round pick in 2010. He improved in training camp this year, but not enough to beat out Philip Hunt. He gets a chance to keep developing.
Meanwhile, center Mike McGlynn was picked up by the Bengals.
We'll have more as the day goes on.
Devan is a good pick up, he can start and give Watkins time to learn the system and playing in the NFL and most importantly keep Vick healthy. If Watkins gets mauled like he did against his former teammate like he did in the Browns game Vick will get killed and all the moves will be for nothing.— VegasEagleFan
Comment removed.- " Also, other teams cannot claim these guys. "
I think that's were you would bump heads with the NFLPA Penfold18.
To not allow those players a chance to succeed with another organization would be detrimental to the player and the NFLPA's objective of protecting the rights and welfare of it's members.— essell - Is Reynolds on a 3 year mission trip with the Eagles?Why doesn't he ever play in a game?— tulsaphil
- I missed the old Akers last year when he lost the playoff game by missing all those easy kicks.— Paul SoTX
- we will miss david akers— unlock54
- we will miss david akers— unlock54
- That's a good idea Penfold18, let's see if it bubbles up to the top.
- The NFL needs to create a Protected Squad. It would consist of 2-6 players, and it could only be rookies and second year players. The guys on this squad can practice with the team, but cannot play in any games during the season. Also, other teams cannot claim these guys. This would give talented but raw guys a chance to develop. It would also help teams when deciding between a veteran who could help the team immediately (e.g., Landri or Hargrove) and an undeveloped rookie that the team doesn't really want to let go of but also won't contribute right away. Their salaries could be set somewhere between practice squad guys and the league minimum.— Penfold18
- plus you would think that the players would have fought to allow all 53 players to dress for games. I am guessing the owners don't have to pay them if they don't dress, but being able to dress more players per game i think would be huge. It seems like parity is the main reason against what your talking about. i think making them available to all teams prevents teams from doing just that and being able to really to have an actual roster larger than 53. and keep other teams from getting that talent just because they don't have an immediate need which is what GM's draft strategies usual differ in need vs skill — xlGmanlx
- dasher is right,Landri needs to be an Eagle...why exactly is Dallas Reynolds still here?...we know andy likes O-lineman but.....— greenbloodVAEagle
- Let's see. Watkins a Tackle switched to guard. All Camp we hear RT a real problem but we have "plenty of guards". Can you say Gabe Carimi ? Have you seen the guy at RT at the end of the Bears gigantic Offensive line ? Gabe Carimi. i watched Carimi absolutely dominate Jason Tuck in the preseason. My guess is power struggle between the tag team of Banner / Roseman and Andy and his football people....Mudd/Washburn. You can't be this dysfunctional naturally can you ?— oldBird
- Who is Jason Tuck? Is that Justin Tuck's brother......and you were impressed that he was dominating him in the preseason.
- I knew this type of a pickup was coming...the Eagles reached for Watkins and then got hounded by the press about his age (27 in a few months,rightfully so)...They are forcing him in there, without the mini camps and even reporting late...He's a classy kid, good ethic, but unless tremendous progress happens in the coming weeks...he does not appear to be NFL ready yet.— bearsfriend
- Bring back Landri.— dasher
- At least this guy has a good knee !!!— gkc462
- Ravens cut 2 LBs who would upgrade the Eagles in Tavares Gooden and Prescott Burgess— craigmack
- Safties are SOOOO weak...my God— seeing1111
- Picking up Colts OG just reinforces my perception that they are not confident Watkins will make it the entire season without being abused. With Mudd I guess we can look forward to picking up more of the Colts castoffs....— gkc462
- DeVan was a surprise cut. Shouldn't be a shock that they grabbed him. Insurance and depth with a vet who knows Mudd's scheme. And obviously, Mudd likes him. They only had 9 OLs, so this makes perfect sense.
Don't know why so many people read this as they lost confidence in Watkins.— phillychaos - linebacker help please!!!!!!!!— psualum
- I had hoped Eagles would give Meriweather a look at safety, but he was picked up by the bears. would have liked him more over Page as our safety. Oh Well!— wame440
- Glad they picked Hall back up. Good for McGlynn.— Richard Saunders
- I'm glad they put Havili on the practice squad. Playing RB in the Eagles offense is tough for some guys to pick up and Havili looked lost. But watch his game film at USC on youtube. He has much potential. Next season he'll get another chance to show it.— soulman386
