[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]S Jones signs 1-year deal with Eagles[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Friday, March 06, 2009[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]PHILADELPHIA -- Safety Sean Jones signed a one-year, free-agent contract with the Philadelphia Eagles on Friday, helping fill the void created by Brian Dawkins' departure.
A second-round pick by Cleveland in 2004, Jones played five seasons with the Browns. He was mostly used as a strong safety, but his playmaking skills make him a potential replacement for Dawkins at free safety. Jones may have to beat out second-year pro Quintin Demps for the spot.
"I played strong or free (safety) in Cleveland," Jones said. "I'm interchangeable, so either way it doesn't really matter."
Jones ranks third among safeties behind Baltimore's Ed Reed and St. Louis' Oshiomogho Atogwe with 14 interceptions since 2006. He had four picks in Cleveland's final six games last season. Jones missed four games after having surgery on his right knee, but played the last 11.
The 27-year-old Jones has recorded 286 tackles and three forced fumbles in 60 games, including 44 starts. Jones, listed at 6-foot-1 and 225 pounds, had his best season in '06 when he finished with 107½ tackles and five interceptions.
"I think I'm a well-rounded player," Jones said. "I like to come down in the box and hit you. At the same time, I'm a ball-hawk. I'm going to try to implement both of those parts of my game here. Along with two great cornerbacks on the corner and a young safety next to me, we're going to try to get the ball rolling."
Jones has big shoes to fill in Philly. Dawkins was a seven-time Pro Bowl selection during 13 seasons with the Eagles and is likely headed for the Hall of Fame. He also was one of the most beloved athletes to ever play in this city. Fans were outraged when the Eagles allowed Dawkins to test free agency. He signed a two-year deal with Denver last week.
"Brian Dawkins was a great player," Jones said. "I always looked up to him growing up. It was unfortunate for Eagles fans to miss a guy like that."
The Eagles reached the NFC championship game for the fifth time in eight years, losing at Arizona. They've signed two free agents, including former Cincinnati offensive lineman Stacy Andrews to a six-year contract.
Philadelphia has lost Dawkins, running back Correll Buckhalter (Denver) and safety Sean Considine (Jacksonville) in free agency. Tight end L.J. Smith and longtime bookend tackles Tra Thomas and Jon Runyan are unrestricted free agents and are not expected to return.
Two-time Pro Bowl cornerback Lito Sheppard and wide receiver Greg Lewis also are gone. Sheppard was traded to the New York Jets for a pair of draft picks and Lewis was dealt to New England for a pick.[/FONT]
