Conventional NFL wisdom suggests a draft pick always has the advantage over an undrafted rookie. However, in the case of a couple of safeties looking to realize their NFL dream in Philadelphia last summer, that wasn't the case.

In a battle for the fourth safety spot, rookie free agent Marcus Paschal beat out fifth-round pick C.J. Gaddis for a spot on the initial 53-man roster. That high lasted only a couple of days, however, as Paschal eventually had to settle for one of the eight spots on the Eagles' practice squad after the team signed veteran J.R. Reed.

For the first half of the season, Paschal ran on the scout team and gave the active roster a "look" as he mimicked the upcoming opponents' defense. He played the waiting game on the practice squad while gaining a firm hold on Jim Johnson's defensive scheme.

The 6-foot, 201-pound Paschal was signed to the active roster on Nov. 7 as a season-ending injury to Sean Considine, afforded Paschal the opportunity to prove himself. Ironically, Considine was Paschal's defensive backfield mate at Iowa.

That job security didn't last long as Paschal was released on Dec. 7 and reacquired on Dec. 8.

All told, Paschal saw action in games against the Patriots, Seahawks and Bills. He was credited with one tackle in the regular season finale against Buffalo.

The fact that Paschal earned himself some playing time speaks volumes. Now he must build on that. Clearly, the foundation is there and the coaches have confidence in the kid.

"He's very, very intelligent and that showed up," Reid said. "You see it, even though he was on the practice squad."

Collegiately, Paschal scored second-team all-Big Ten honors as a senior at Iowa, posting 67 tackles and one interception. During his four-year career with the Hawkeyes, he totaled 199 tackles, three interceptions, 17 knockdowns, one forced fumble and three fumble recoveries.

- BOB KENT

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The coaches liked what they saw from Paschal very early in his time here after he signed as a non-drafted rookie. Paschal is a physical player who has a good grasp on the defense. He needs to prove he can run well enough to play sideline to sideline, and I'm sure that is one part of his game Paschal is working diligently on during this offseason.

Assuming that Brian Dawkins comes back healthy and ready to go, and with Sean Considine healthy again, and with the expected return of restricted free agent J.R. Reed, safety is a fairly-crowded picture. Paschal is going to have to impress every day to make this team.

I liked what I saw from Paschal in the summer last year, but I would have enjoyed seeing him more in the regular season. Didn't happen. Now he has a foundation in the defense, which should bring out the best in Paschal ahead.