Eagles sign defensive end Chris Clemons
PHILADELPHIA (AP) - March 1, 2008 Free-agent defensive end Chris Clemons signed a five-year
contract with the Eagles on Saturday, a day after Philadelphia
added All-Pro cornerback Asante Samuel.
Clemons had eight sacks in a reserve role with Oakland last
season. He fills the spot vacated by the release of former Pro Bowl
defensive end Jevon Kearse. Clemons will be part of a four-man
rotation with Pro Bowl end Trent Cole, veteran Juqua Thomas and
second-year pro Victor Abiamiri.
"If we can get four good ones out there cranking it up and
going, that's what we want," coach Andy Reid said, declining to
name any starters so soon.
The Eagles moved quickly to lure Samuel away from New England
with a six-year deal worth $57 million on Friday. Now Clemons gets
a multiyear contract on the same day he visited Philly.
The 26-year-old Clemons began his career with Washington in 2003
as an undrafted rookie from Georgia. After spending his first
season on injured reserve, Clemons had five sacks in 20 games with
the Redskins in 2004-05. He didn't play in 2006 because of a knee
injury.
A linebacker in college and early in his career, Clemons
flourished last year after moving to defensive end full time. He
was on the field for just 37 percent of Oakland's defensive plays
but still tied Derrick Burgess for the team lead in sacks. Clemons
also had 20 tackles and forced two fumbles in 16 games, including
two starts.
"I've always had it in me," Clemons said. "I just had a
couple bad breaks. When I got my opportunity, it all came
together."
Clemons is listed at 6-foot-3 and 240 pounds, so he's undersized
for an end. But he makes up for it with his speed and quickness.
"That all comes down to toughness," Clemons said about facing
bigger linemen.
The Eagles now can shift their attention to upgrading their
offense, possibly dangling two-time Pro Bowl cornerback Lito
Sheppard as trade bait for a top receiver.
