It didn't take long for the Eagles to realize that they want defensive tackle Mike Patterson to be a keystone of the defensive line for a long, long time.

Patterson signed a 7-year contract extension on Thursday, which will keep him in the midnight green through the 2016 season. He is the first member of the NFL's Class of 2005 and the fifth Eagle in the past five months to sign a contract extension joining guard Shawn Andrews (through 2015), center Jamaal Jackson (2013), free safety Brian Dawkins (2008) and punter Dirk Johnson (2011). The Eagles sign more players to second contracts than any other team in the NFL.

DT Mike Patterson celebrates

"The Eagles always had a great team and always (are) going to be a great team," said Patterson, who said he would celebrate by sleeping. "The city is nice, you're always going to have to deal with that winter, but I'm pretty excited about it. I have complete confidence in the team and all of the players who are going to be here now and all of the players who are going to be here in the future. I feel like it's going to be some good stuff."

The team's first-round draft pick out of USC in 2005, the 31st overall selection, started in seven games last season and led the defensive line with 66 tackles and all NFL rookie defensive tackles with 3.5 sacks. This season, Patterson has started in every game and has 36 tackles, 1.5 sacks and two fumble recoveries, one of which he returned 98 yards for a touchdown against the 49ers.

The Eagles defensive tackle rotation is set for years to come. Veterans Darwin Walker and Sam Rayburn are under contract through 2008 and 2011, respectively. Patterson signed an extension Thursday and Brodrick Bunkley and LaJuan Ramsey were only drafted this year.

A three-year starter at USC and a native of Los Alamitos, CA, Patterson helped the Trojans to win back-to-back National Championships in 2003 and 2004, earning All-America honors as a senior.