Professor

http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/news?slu...v=ap&type=lgns

Barber signs one-year deal with Eagles

By ROB MAADDI, AP Sports Writer
March 8, 2006

PHILADELPHIA (AP) -- Since Shawn Barber left Philadelphia three years ago, the Eagles have tried three players at weakside linebacker.

Now they're going back to Barber.

Less than a week after Kansas City cut him for financial reasons, the 31-year-old Barber signed a one-year deal with the Eagles on Wednesday. Terms of the contract weren't immediately known. Philadelphia also re-signed defensive end Juqua Thomas to a one-year contract.

Barber upgrades a mediocre linebacker corps that included Keith Adams at the weakside position and Dhani Jones at the strongside spot. Middle linebacker Jeremiah Trotter went to his fourth Pro Bowl, but Adams and Jones combined for one interception, one forced fumbled, no sacks and no fumble recoveries last season.

The 6-foot-2, 240-pound Barber is coming off two injury-plagued seasons in which he played a total of 11 games for the Chiefs. He tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee in November 2004 and played in three games last year.

A tenacious player and hard-hitter, Barber started every game in his only season with the Eagles in 2002 and finished with 119 tackles, three fumble recoveries, two interceptions, one forced fumble and one sack.

He signed a seven-year, $30 million contract with Kansas City in 2003 and had 141 tackles, five sacks, two forced fumbles and one interception that year.

Barber was originally a fourth-round draft pick by Washington in 1998. He had a career-best 148 tackles with the Redskins in 1999.

Barber joined the Eagles after sitting out most of the 2001 season with a torn ACL in his right knee. Philadelphia used Nate Wayne, Mark Simoneau and Adams at weakside linebacker since Barber left. Adams will become an unrestricted free agent.

Thomas played in 16 games with the Eagles last season primarily as a backup. He spent his first four seasons with Tennessee.



Updated on Wednesday, Mar 8, 2006 5:43 pm EST

MickeyG

good signing by the Eagle, he should really help their defense.

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Professor

i know im excited

MickeyG

Add Arrington and the Eagles have the best linebacking core in the league.

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Professor

I know its gonna be sweet if they get him

bigboy

I love the signing, he should come back in an not have to get reacquainted with the system at all. I just hope that injury is behind him and he's 100%, I like how it is just another one year deal like they did with trotter so he can come back in and have an extra incentive to show up, just like he did last time he was here. Another LB would be nice and I think they just may draft one now, but I'm still dreaming about Peterson and Arrington....

Professor

if they got both those guys it would be sick

PoppaPoe33

Good pickup, and it seems the Eagles are being a little careful signing for only one year. I guess that's common for players that age. If they have a good year and keep Barber happy he'll stay there. Playing for Johnson's defense, he'll have fun there.

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Professor

not only about the age, but just like they did with trotter, it gives the player that one year to give it his all and prove he is worth more

13MAC13

I'm not overly excited about this signing but he's better than what they had...