After years of moving around, Luke Lawton hopes he's finally found a home.

The Eagles acquired the well-traveled fullback from the Indianapolis Colts on Friday for a conditional 2009 draft choice, bringing him in to compete with Jason Davis, Dan Klecko and Jed Collins for the starting job. To make room for him on the roster, the Eagles waived/injured Bill Sampy.

"It's been rough, being a journeyman the last few years," Lawton said. "But nothing remarkable is ever easy. The NFL is tough to be in, but if you stick with it and have some perseverance, eventually things will work out for you."

FB Luke Lawton

The Eagles utilize their fullbacks in many different ways, and Lawton's special teams experience, which includes being a long-snapper in college, figures to help him in his competition.

Lawton is sort of a jack of all trades. He fits the prototypical West Coast fullback to a "T." He's quick - he runs a 4.5 40-yard dash - and he excels in receiving roles on flat routes or curls. He also has experience returning kicks, something he did five times for the Colts last season.

It's precisely the breed of versatility the Eagles value from the position.

"I actually love playing special teams. That's how I really got my foot in the door at Indianapolis because they haven't carried a fullback in years," Lawton said. "In preseason, I guess I played well enough to warrant a roster spot, just covering kicks and blocking on the returns."

Originally signed by the Buffalo Bills as a rookie free agent from McNeese State in 2004, Lawton spent time on the Bills and New York Giants' practice squads in his rookie year. He made his first appearance in game action with the New York Jets in 2005, registering two special teams tackles.

Lawton was a teammate of fullback Dan Klecko in Indianapolis, where Klecko played primarily as a defensive tackle. He also shared the field with linebacker Rocky Boiman.

Lawton, who will join the team next week, said he exchanged text messages with Boiman on Friday after hearing the news.

"This isn't my first rodeo relocating and having to start all over with a new group of guys," Lawton said. "It's going be really good to have Rocky there and Bryan Smith and even Dan Klecko, we were teammates last year, too. Those guys are definitely going to help in the process."

The New Iberia, La. native had a decorated career at McNeese State, where he was a teammate of rookie defensive end Bryan Smith. His 22 rushing touchdowns rank seventh in school history. Additionally, he was a three-year starter and was a first-team All-America at fullback.

"I'm just going to go out there and worry about Luke Lawton and mowing my own grass. Don't worry about anyone else's yard, make sure mine's cut," Lawton said. "There is still a place in the NFL for a fullback whether people like it or not."