Rookie free agent Rob Myers has been a pleasant surprise.


There's a pleasant surprise in the midst of all the question marks floating around the Eagles' tight end dilemma, and that's the emergence of rookie Rob Myers out of Utah State.

Myers was brought in the day after it was confirmed that Cornelius Ingram had a torn ACL and would not be available for the entire 2009 season, and he's impressed since day one. The first impression was that he was very fast, and that impression has not faded in the least. He's got more speed than your average tight end, which could create a lot of problems for covering linebackers.

At 6'4 and 240 pounds, he's the same size as Ingram minus about five pounds, but is much faster for that missing five pounds. Myers seems to have good hands as well, hauling in four receptions in the Eagles most recent preseason game against the Indianapolis Colts.

What's really working in Myers' favor is the fact that the Eagles are incredibly thin at tight end at the moment, which will give him the chance to show that they should give him a shot. The feeling is that they're tired of Schobel's lack of production, and no one is really convinced that Eugene Bright is an NFL tight end.

There was talk of the Eagles bringing in former Cowboys tight end Tony Curtis, but nothing has happened with that. A minor move like that would probably have been done by now if the Eagles were really intent on bringing him in. This could signal that Curtis is delusional and making some demands, or that the Eagles are ready to give Myers a shot to prove himself.

Even if (Tony) Curtis does find his way onto this roster, it may still be as the third tight end behind Brent Celek and Myers, which would mean an end to the Matt Schobel era in Philadelphia. Schobel seems like a good enough guy, but I'm not sure that many in Philly would shed a tear upon hearing of his departure.

Myers is about the same player as Ingram, and could be used in much of the same ways, including putting him in the slot or using him as a redzone target. The Eagles are always a mystery, but don't be surprised if Myers gets his first NFL job with the Eagles.
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Tony Curtis stretches out for a ball that falls out of his reach.


According to Jason La Canfora of NFL Network, the Eagles have been looking at former Cowboys tight end Tony Curtis, and plan on signing him pending a physical.

Curtis, for his career, has 11 receptions for 50 yards and three touchdowns. At 6'5 and 251 pounds, Curtis will be more of a blocking tight end, and his signing will probably mean the release of Eugene Bright. Of course, it could mean the end for Rob Myers, but the Eagles probably want to see a little more out of him. It's clear at this point that Bright is simply not an NFL tight end.

It was looking like Curtis could be the backup in Dallas during the 2008 offseason when the Cowboys traded then-backup tight end Anthony Fasano to the Dolphins. However, the Cowboys used a second-round draft pick on Martellus Bennet, who immediately took over the second tight end spot.

Curtis was released after the 2008 season and picked up by the Kansas City Chiefs after they traded Tony Gonzalez. Curtis was released recently after the Chiefs signed former Giants receiver Amani Toomer.

The signing of Curtis will be a sign that the Eagles have hit the panic button concerning the tight ends considering he goes against everything Andy Reid looks for in a tight end. Curtis is more of a guy who comes in to block, as evidenced by his minimal receiving yards.

The Eagles will be counting on Schobel or Myers/Bright/Curtis to step up big time and help this team out at the tight end position. Don't be surprised to see a lot of three and four-wide sets this year, even for Reid.
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Cornelius Ingram is the second Bird to suffer a torn ACL.


Philadelphia Eagles tight end Cornelius Ingram has a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee that will sideline him for his rookie season according to Reuben Frank.

Ingram, who was drafted in the fifth round of this year's draft, missed the entire 2008 season with the Florida Gators in his final year at college with a torn ACL in the same knee.

The Eagles had him take a MRI this morning in which the results showed that he had a torn ACL. It was first characterized as knee swelling according to Frank.

Losing Ingram is huge for the Birds as they were relying on him backing up first-year starter Brent Celek at tight end. They weren't just hoping for him to be a capable backup, but to also make plays too.

The only other options at tight end on the roster are Matt Schobel and Eugene Bright—neither of which are having great camps. For one, Schobel hasn't been practicing, and Bright hasn't shined but will only gain experience.

This makes the decision not to pony up a second round pick to acquire future Hall of Fame tight end Tony Gonzalez, who was traded to the Atlanta Falcons, even more mind blowing.

UPDATE: Eagles have signed Rob Myers, rookie free agent tight end out of Utah State. In order to make room for the tight end, Punter/Kicker Ken Parrish was cut.

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