Born in Harrisburg and a product of J.P. McCaskey High School in Lancaster, Kris Wilson grew up an Eagles fan. Now, he'll get a chance to suit up for his favorite team.

Wilson became the fifth free agent to sign with the Eagles this offseason when he signed a three-year deal Wednesday joining Asante Samuel, Chris Clemons, Dan Klecko and Rocky Boiman. A second-round pick of the Kansas City Chiefs in 2002, the versatile Wilson has caught 42 passes for 345 yards and four touchdowns as a tight end, H-back and a fullback. Even though he started 12 games for the Chiefs as a fullback last season, the 6-2, 251-pound Wilson will battle for a spot in the tight end rotation.

TE Kris Wilson

Aware that the Eagles tagged L.J. Smith as their franchise player, used a fifth-round pick on promising Brent Celek just last year and have veteran Matt Schobel in the fold, Wilson doesn't care about the numbers game. He just wants the chance to compete.

"I'm here to play football, compete, and to try to get a chair in the room," said Wilson. "My strengths are stretching the field, catching the ball, beating defenders one-on-one, mixing it up and blocking guys; a lot of the all-around things that tight ends do. I think, at the tight end position, you have to be a jack of all trades. I think that I can mix it up and do a number of things on the field."

After hauling in 88 receptions for 1,431 yards and 15 touchdowns as a four-year starter at Pitt, the Chiefs couldn't shy away from Wilson's athletic ability even though they had All-Pro Tony Gonzalez on the roster. Wilson turned heads in training camp, but a broken leg prematurely ended his rookie year. He battled back and became a role player filling in wherever necessary - primarily on special teams. But when injuries forced a need at fullback, Wilson learned the new position and was able to start in 22 games over the past two seasons.

"I knew that I was a versatile player. When I made the transition to fullback, I wasn't sure exactly how it was going to go, but it went well. I felt good about it," said Wilson. "I've made a living knowing how to do a number of things. We all know that in this business, the more you can do, the better off you are. For me, it's just another tool in my belt."

The opportunity to play tight end may have been limited because of Gonzalez, but Wilson learned plenty from him during his four years in Kansas City.

"Professionalism, most of all. Knowing how to come to work and kind of leaving everything else behind," said Wilson. "Do your job. Like (Chiefs head coach) Herm Edwards says, 'Know your role and do your job.' I think on and off the field, Tony is a professional. He knows how to get it done. He knows how to prepare to get it done. Those are some of the things I picked up from him."

Wilson remembers getting up on Sunday mornings to watch Golic's Got It. He used to aspire to play on the same level as Randall Cunningham and Fred Barnett and Keith Byars. Now, he's a Philadelphia Eagle in his own right with a great chance to make an impact wherever it may be needed - on offense or special teams.