Andy Reid addressed the two most recent additions to the Eagles roster, running back J.J. Arrington and wide receiver Kelley Washington.
Arrington was acquired last night from the Denver Broncos in exchange for linebacker Joe Mays, though if Arrington does not make the final roster the Eagles will receive a 2012 sixth-round pick. A second-round pick of the Arizona Cardinals in 2005, Arrington, 5-9, 212, has amassed 654 rushing yards (3.6 yards per carry) in four seasons of play and is an experienced kickoff returner with two career kickoff return touchdowns to his credit.
"He'll come in and compete for one of those third spots here," Reid said. So Arrington will join the likes of Charles Scott, Eldra Buckley and Martell Mallett in the competition to stick on the roster behind LeSean McCoy and Mike Bell. "He's a good runner. He's tough, he's elusive and he's got good hands."
An important thing to note about Arrington is that he missed all of the 2009 season with a knee injury and underwent microfracture surgery. When asked if he knew of any other running backs to rebound from microfracture surgery, Reid mentioned former Carolina Panthers and Washington Redskins running back Stephen Davis and said he knew of some others. Davis underwent the surgery as a 30-year-old in 2004 and came back to play two more seasons, rushing for 726 yards (3.3 yards per carry) in those two years. Arrington is 27.
"We'll bring him in and give him a physical and just see how he's doing," Reid said. "We've been told that he's doing well. He hasn't missed any workouts with (the Broncos) ... We're expecting him to be fine and be ready to play."
As for Washington, Reid said that the 30-year-old veteran will increase competition at wide receiver and give special teams coordinator Bobby April another toy to play with.
"Kelly's a wide receiver, great special teams player, good inside receiver," Reid said. "He should strengthen that receiving corps just another notch or two. He'll compete for a spot.
"He might be similar in some places to some of the guys we have ... A couple years ago he was one of the best (special teams players) in the league. He's a good inside receiver, very physical, big, strong guy ... (and) he's a good run blocker."
Washington tallied 34 catches for 431 yards, both career highs, and two touchdowns last season with the Baltimore Ravens. A third-round pick of the Cincinnati Bengals in 2003, Washington played on the 2007 New England Patriots team that went 16-0 in the regular season alongside Asante Samuel and Ellis Hobbs. That season, Washington didn't record a single catch, but he played in 17 games, including playoffs, as a special teams demon.
Washington will likely be competing with Hank Baskett for the role of veteran, jack-of-all-trades wide receiver, though that doesn't mean there isn't necessarily room for both of them.
-- Posted by Bo Wulf, 12:27 p.m., July 31
