Cornerback Jorrick Calvin was in a meeting early Monday morning when he was summoned to Cardinals head coach Ken Whisenhunt's office and told that he was traded to the Eagles in exchange for fullback Charles Scott.

Less than three hours later, the 5-11, 184-pound Calvin was on a flight to Philadelphia and on Thursday he will play for the Eagles in the preseason finale against the Jets.

"They could have cut me and I could be at home right now, but someone wanted me in the league and someone saw the potential that I have so I'm very thankful for this opportunity that I have," Calvin said on Tuesday after his first practice with the team. "It was tough leaving there, but I am happy where I'm at now."

A sixth-round pick this past April out of Troy, Calvin was actually selected just one spot after the person he was traded for. The Cardinals lost fullback Nehemiah Broughton to a knee injury and needed insurance at the position. In addition to playing cornerback, Calvin is also a return specialist and head coach Andy Reid said that he might see some action in that regard against the Jets.

"I'm pretty excited about that because that's one of my main things," Calvin said. "I love to return. You play defense, you can't touch the ball too much, so I just want to go back to those high school days and just get your hands on the ball and move around with it."

Calvin transferred to Troy after playing for two years at East Central (Miss.) Community College. He started in 12 of 13 games for Troy in 2008 and recorded 76 tackles, two interceptions, nine pass breakups, two fumble recoveries and one forced fumble. He also led the Sun Belt Conference with a kickoff return average of 25.7 yards. Calvin was unable to play last season because he was academically ineligible.

-- Posted by Chris McPherson, 5:35 p.m., August 31