The addition of Marlin Jackson to the Eagles secondary is a welcome one for several reasons. Jackson is a talented, versatile player who is capable of playing both cornerback and safety, though he will be focusing mostly on safety with the Eagles, and, although he is coming off a second straight season ended because of a knee injury, he expects to be ready for training camp.

But Jackson also brings something else with him to Philadelphia that is highly coveted - a Super Bowl ring.

Jackson was a vital member of the Colts Super Bowl 2006 season, filling in at safety for an injured Bob Sanders and sealing the Colts AFC Championship win over the New England Patriots with an interception of Tom Brady with 12 second left in a 38-34 victory.

Jackson becomes the third player on the Eagles roster with a Super Bowl ring, and, interestingly, they're all members of the secondary. The other two are cornerback Asante Samuel (with the New England Patriots in 2003 and 2004) and cornerback Geoffrey Pope (with the New York Giants during the 2007 season).

But Jackson won't be flaunting his hardware in the Eagles locker room.

"I don't wear it, it's in a case," he said of the ring. "It's in a box."

In other words, Jackson isn't looking at the past; he's more concerned with his future. On his to-do list is to get his surgically reconstructed knee ready for training camp, where he aims to grab hold of a starting job at free safety. After that, Jackson wants to help lead the Eagles to a promised land that only he, Samuel and Pope have seen.

"I think the most appealing, good thing about the deal is that it's a winning franchise," Jackson said. "Like I said before, winning is the most important thing for me and I came from a winning franchise and that was the key thing on all my visits. I wanted to take a visit to places that win. And the opportunity here to play free safety and nickel was very appealing. This defense is a very aggressive, tough, physical defense and that's the type of player that I feel I am. I feel like I can bring a lot to the free safety position as far as coverage ability and (am) able to blitz and be able to tackle well."

*-- Posted by Bo Wulf, 4:50 p.m., March 10 *