When new Eagles offensive tackle D.J. Jones was stuck in limbo last offseason, due to the NFL lockout, he was fully prepared to play for the Omaha Nighthawks of the UFL.

But when the NFL lockout ended and teams began to call, Jones wanted to chase the dream that he had since he was a kid.

"I've been preparing to be in the NFL ever since I was a kid so I knew that was an opportunity that I couldn't pass on," Jones said. "I took that opportunity and just tried to run with it."

Jones originally signed with the Miami Dolphins and spent the first six weeks of the season on their practice squad gaining experience at each offensive line position. In mid-October, Jones joined the Baltimore Ravens and was promoted to their active roster for the regular season finale but didn't play.

Waived by the Ravens prior to their AFC divisional round game, the Eagles claimed him and were awarded him on Tuesday - in the playoffs players who are waived cannot join a team until the end of the postseason.

The 6-5, 315-pound Jones said that he's an athletic, hard-worker who played in a zone scheme at Nebraska that is similar to what the Eagles run under esteemed offensive line coach Howard Mudd. As a senior at Nebraska, Jones started all 14 games at right tackle, but also has starting experience at guard. The Eagles could be looking for extra insurance at tackle as King Dunlap is set to become a free agent in March.

Jones is looking forward to working with a coach like Mudd, who is "old school."

"I think I'll fit in well," Jones said. "I'm looking forward to being here and learning from Coach Mudd and just going from there. I think I'll fit in well into the Philadelphia Eagles program."

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