With a new position and a new lease on his NFL career, Dan Klecko is back home after signing a two-year deal with the Eagles to play fullback.

A defensive tackle at nearby Temple University, the 5-foot-11, 275-pound Klecko has played the fullback, defensive tackle and linebacker positions as well as special teams in his five-year career with New England and Indianapolis. In Philadelphia, he is expected to compete with former undrafted free agent Jason Davis for the starting fullback job, vacated when Thomas Tapeh signed with Minnesota on the first day of free agency.

"It's going to be a lot of hard work changing my mentality to the offensive side of the ball," said Klecko at his introductory press conference. "We'll see how it goes from there. It's going to be an experiment for me too.

FB Dan Klecko

"Except for the starters, I don't think anybody can come into the NFL thinking, 'This is my spot,'" he said. "I have to come to camp thinking I don't have a job. I have to work for it. Right now, I'm basically a rookie again."

Between now and the start of the post-draft camps in May, Klecko says he hopes to trim 10 to 15 pounds from 5-foot-11 frame. That would put him between 260 and 265 pounds.

"I honestly think (what makes a good fullback is) someone who can open up the hole and also play special teams," said Klecko. "That's a big part of it. That's pretty much a main role for the fullback, too."

Offensively, Klecko's biggest claim to fame was his 1-yard touchdown catch from Peyton Manning in the third quarter of the Colts' come-from-behind win over the Patriots in the 2006 AFC title game.

"It was big because they cut me in camp," Klecko said in recalling the touchdown. "I love New England, it was a great time; but they did cut me. When I spiked the ball, there was a lot of emotion coming out, there really was."

The Colts went on to defeat the Bears as Klecko collected his third Super Bowl ring (he won two with New England).

Klecko credits Patriots' head coach Bill Belichick for bringing out his versatility.

"My rookie camp, he tried me pretty much everywhere in the front seven and at fullback," Klecko said. "I wouldn't have thought of even half the [positions] that he put me in. I think I saved him some roster spots that way. He loves guys that can do that."

As a backup fullback, Klecko has been mainly used in short-yardage situations. In regular season action he has touched the ball just six times -- two carries for five yards and four receptions for 20 yards, including a 2-yard catch for the Colts in a regular-season win over Miami in 2006.

The idea of playing fullback exclusively is not new to Klecko. In fact, he said he has been approached by other teams about the idea of playing fullback but it has never come to fruition, until now. The position switch also has the support of his dad, former Jets Pro Bowl defensive tackle Joe Klecko.

"He's been one of the main advocates of it, saying 'don't give up on this, maybe this is a way we can go with your career,'" Dan said. "As it turns out this year, it really turned out that way."

Originally a fourth-round pick of the Patriots in 2003, the 27-year-old Klecko was a four-year letterman at Temple who started 36 of 40 games and had 206 tackles (142 solo), 66 stops for losses, 26 sacks and 70 quarterback pressures. He was also named Big East Defensive Player of the Year as a senior.

A native of Marlboro, N.J., he is ecstatic at the prospect of playing in front of his family again.

"This is something that could be good for my career," Klecko said. "Given the chance to come play at home, and for a great team like the Eagles, that's the reason I did it."

PATRIOT GAINS: In adding Dan Klecko and Asante Samuel, the Eagles have locked in New England's two fourth-round picks from the 2003 Draft - Klecko was selected with the 117th selection overall, followed by Samuel at No. 120.