Breaking: Eagles Begin Offseason by Signing a Center

According to NFL reporter Geoff Mosher, the Eagles have just signed offensive lineman A.Q. Shipley, who spent the 2009 season on the Pittsburgh Steelers practice squad. The 6'0" 298 lb Shipley was the only one of eight practice squad players not to be signed to the Steelers' offseason roster, so he was free to sign with any team he chose. This move gives the Eagles another center (a position that is in dire need of some depth) on the roster behind Nick Cole and rookie free agent Dallas Reynolds. Shipley, a former 7th-round draft pick out of Penn State, might come in handy should Jamaal Jackson's ACL tear keep him out of the first few games of the 2010 season. While this is only a small move compared to the changes ahead, it is good to see that the Eagles are taking early steps to address the needs on their roster.