Eagles Sign Linebacker Connor Barwin

Eagles have signed OLB Connor Barwin, formerly of the Texans, to a six-year, $36 million contract. The contract also calls into question Trent Cole's future in Philadelphia, the Eagles are now changing from a 4-3 to a 3-4 and Cole has never played in a 3-4 in the NFL.

(Listen to Houston Chronicle Texans beat reporter John McLain on the Sports Bash)

Barwin, 26, managed three sacks across 18 starts in Houston last season, including the playoffs. The Eagles were in search of an edge rusher as they remake their defensive line, and they hope Barwin will fit the bill. However, the pass-rusher is coming off a down year that saw his sack total drop from 11.5 in 2011 to three in 2012.

Eagles GM Howie Roseman believes OLB Connor Barwin's sacks dipped from 11.5 in 2011 to 3.0 in 2012 because of how the Texans used him.

"He was more on the open side two years ago," Roseman said of Barwin's 11.5-sack campaign. "He was more in position to set the edge and cover the tight end this year. We watched him two years ago on the open side and then even this year when they played the Lions when he was doing it more. ... We think we know what we’re getting here in a high-motor guy."

With the 3-4 look, the Eagles are remaking their front seven, and Barwin is just another piece to that puzzle.