Friday, March 27, 2009

Tra Thomas Signs a Three Year Deal with Jacksonville

After anchoring the left side of the Eagle’s offensive line for eleven seasons, three time Pro Bowl tackle Tra Thomas signed a three year deal with the Jacksonville Jaguars. This development should come at no real surprise to Eagle fans as the team made little effort to resigned Thomas after his contract expired at the end of this season.

Given their past stance on ageing veterans, the Eagles held true to form in the case of Thomas. While according to Thomas himself, he plans to try and play for twenty seasons as he is still in great shape and “has several years left in the tank.” Eagle management obviously did not see things the same way as once again a player’s worth was determined to be less than their value. They expressed interest in re-signing him but part of the situation also involves Thomas’ desire to play with a team closer to his home in Deland, Florida.

One thing Thomas brings to the table is durability having started 165 games in his career with the Birds, missing only eight games over the span of his eleven seasons in Philly. Jaguar’s General Manager, Gene Smith summed the situation up as follows “Tra has been a part of a lot of winning in Philadelphia, he’s been durable, he’s a three-time Pro Bowl player and he is a solid, experienced veteran and a good presence in the locker room,” Smith said. “We have talked about character being important, and this is in line with that philosophy.”

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