With the release of veteran Kevin Curtis comes opportunity for some other young receivers currently on the roster.
One of those is Dobson Collins, a 6-foot-2, 178-pound speedster who played his college ball at Division I-AA Gardner-Webb. A rookie free agent signing of San Francisco in 2009, Collins was signed to the Eagles practice squad on Oct. 22 after being released by the 49ers.
Though jobs are not won and lost in March, Collins knows this period of time is critical for earning playing time.
"I just want to help the team the best way I can -- special teams, offense, whatver," Collins said.
Collins said the time he spent on the practice squad was invaluable. But there is still work to be done.
"My goal is to get stronger, faster and more agile, and to be more explosive in and out of my breaks."
Collins was a two-time All-Big South selection as a receiver and punter returner. In 42 games (22 starts), he totaled 143 receptions, 1,754 yards, and 14 touchdowns.
The Eagles have been known to take a chance on players from non Division I-A teams and Collins is the latest. Other examples on the roster include Todd Herremans (Saginaw Valley St.), Akeem Jordan (James Madison), Joe Mays (North Dakota State), Dimitri Patterson (Tuskegee) and Leonard Weaver (Carson-Newman).
-- Posted by Bob Kent, 10:00 a.m., March 19
