The Eagles continued rewarding some of their best players Wednesday by signing Pro Bowl defensive end Trent Cole to a four-year contract extension through 2017.
"We are excited to be able to sign Trent to a new contract," said Eagles head coach Andy Reid. "Trent plays the game with a level of tenacity that's hard to replicate. He's one of the premier defensive ends in the league. We have always said that when you watch the tape of him, it's hard to tell the difference between his first play and his last play. He has an unbelievable motor that does not stop. And as good as he is rushing the passer, he is equally as good against the run. His energy is contagious on the field."
Cole is a two-time Pro Bowl selection and one of the most feared pass-rushing threats in the entire NFL. With 68 sacks during his seven-year career in Philadelphia, Cole ranks third on the team's all-time list behind Reggie White (124) and Clyde Simmons (76). Since 2006, only two players have taken down quarterbacks more than Cole – DeMarcus Ware and Jared Allen.
"I'm excited to be here this season and for upcoming seasons," said Cole during his press conference with the Philadelphia media. "It's been a long road from where I started at to get here, and I was given an opportunity when I first came here in 2005 and everything worked out. I had a great time here, played well, and worked hard for everything just for what I've gotten from 2005 until now. I'm glad to be here and I'm very excited. Business was conducted professionally and it's gotten me to where I wanted to be, today, and that's all I really can say.
In 2011, Cole posted his fourth double-digit sack campaign and his third in a row with 11 takedowns and trails only White (8) for the most such seasons in the Eagles record book. He teamed with Jason Babin (18 sacks) for 29 sacks, the 2nd best single-single total by a duo in team history behind Simmons (19) and White (14) in 1992.
Cole mentioned that the new defensive line system under defensive line coach Jim Washburn in which there is a heavier rotation should benefit him in the long haul.
"A couple teammates of mine were talking about that at the end of the season," Cole said. "We were like, 'Man, we could probably play 7-8 more games after this.' I'm a big fan of the alpha-bravo (rotation) ordeal and it's going to give a lot of guys on this team longevity. You'll know that the D-line will be going 110 percent on every down."
Cole is widely recognized as one of the best all-around defensive ends in the league. In addition to hix exploits as a pass rusher, he is fearless against the run. In fact, Cole as ranked as the best run-defender at his position in two of the past three seasons.
"People don't know that I love stopping the run," said Cole. "Sacks are the greatest thing ever, but I love stopping the run because I'm a big competitor and I love the game. It's just I want to be the best at everything. It's just what my mentality is, and I'm going in to win. There's no other way out."
A fifth-round draft choice out of Cincinnati in 2005, the 29-year-old Cole is also a success story off the field as well. He owns and operates Cole Outdoor Productions, a hunting video production company that is geared to enthusiasts of the sport.
