



Defensive end Jevon Kearse, a prized free agent signing in 2004, was released by the Eagles on Thursday morning, the team said. Kearse recorded 7 ½ sacks in each of his first two seasons with the team after his storied career with Tennessee, and then suffered a knee injury in the second game of the 2006 season. That injury ended his '06 campaign and slowed him during a struggling 2007 year.
A three-time Pro Bowl player, Kearse is now eligible to sign with any team in the NFL.
Kearse was the 16th overall selection of the Titans in 1999 and earned Rookie of the Year honors after setting an NFL rookie record with 14 1/2 sacks. He became the first rookie in league history to lead a conference in quarterback sacks.
His time in Philadelphia was not quite as successful, although Kearse's presence was a key for the Eagles during their Super Bowl run in 2004. He was a solid, durable contributor until suffering a knee injury against the Giants in Week 2 of the 2006 season. To that point, Kearse was off to his best start with the Eagles, recording 3 1/2 sacks.
But he wasn't the same player last year, and Kearse actually lost his starting job to Juqua Thomas midway through the season. Kearse ended the year with 25 total tackles and 3 1/2 sacks in 14 games, which included eight starts.
In 45 regular season games with the Eagles, Kearse had 133 total tackles and 22 sacks.
The Eagles have a clear need at defensive end as free agency begins. They have Pro Bowl right end Trent Cole and Thomas penciled in as the starters, with second-year man Victor Abiamiri pushing for a more expanded role. Former first-round draft pick Jerome McDougle, who has been injury-plagued his entire career, remains on the roster and will give it another go in training camp.
Head coach Andy Reid has made it clear that the Eagles want to improve their pass rush. They will have a chance in free agency and in the draft.