Eagles are Excited to Have Scandrick

PHILADELPHIA (973espn.com) — At 32 Orlando Scandrick has spent a decade in the NFL but the veteran cornerback still loves the game as much as ever and that's why he's in Philadelphia after signing with the cornerback-needy Eagles over the weekend.

“I still love the game,” the Boise State product said. “I know I love the game. I still get jitters and butterflies before practices. That's how I know I still love it.”

So much so that Scandrick labeled his ties to the game that has defined his adult life as an "addiction."

And as addictions go, locking down an opposing receiver is as positive an addiction anyone could ask for.

Scandrick was once the best cornerback in Dallas until a torn ACL and MCL back in 2015 set him back a bit. A career seemingly on the decline was turned around in Kansas City last season where he proved to be a competent inside cornerback for Andy Reid and the Chiefs.

Scandrick's age, however, limited his potential on the free-agent market and the veteran decided to wait things out until the summer in an effort to find the right fit. He visited Minnesota before the Eagles and decided the situation in Philadelphia was the better option for him.

“It always was finding a good fit for me,” the 5-foot-10, 198-pound Scandrick said. “Finding a situation of a team with a winning culture, with a great mix of players and great coaches. [The Eagles are] really a great football [organization].”

The Eagles are down three of their projected top six CBs early in camp after Cre'Von LeBlanc went down with a sprained foot, an injury Doug Pederson labeled as week-to-week Monday, indicating a multi-week absence in Pederson parlance. Jalen Mills, meanwhile, remains on the PUP list as he continues his recovery from foot surgery and Ronald Darby is limited to individual drills as he works his way back from a torn ACL.

That spells opportunity for Scandrick, who spent his first practice at the NovaCare Complex as the second-team slot corner behind Sidney Jones.

So much has to shake out before we know how Jim Schwartz will ultimately handle the CB situation and if Scandrick is a part of the final 53-man roster.

“I just got here two days ago,” Scandrick said. “I'm just trying to work my butt off to do whatever they ask me to do and just compete.”

The Eagles CBs can't match the experience Scandrick has amassed but the veteran has been impressed by the group from afar.

“I think they have a great room, a great culture,” Scandrick said. “They've been very accepting of me, and I know that's not always an easy thing when coming in to accept your competition, but I appreciate them, and I look forward to put in a lot of work with them."

Pederson noted how familiar the organization was with Scandrick from his long tenure with the Cowboys.

“We obviously know this guy a lot, having coached against him when he was in Dallas, and last year in KC,” Pederson said. “... We're always looking to add depth and competition. He brings value to us, and we're excited to have him.”

-John McMullen covers the Eagles and the NFL for 973espn.com. You can reach him at jmcmullen44@gmail.com or on Twitter @JFMcMullen