New head coach Chip Kelly and the Eagles added a new toy for the offense on the first day of free agency agreeing to terms on a three-year deal with tight end James Casey.
Originally a fifth-round draft choice of Houston in 2009, the 6-3, 240-pound Casey played in 61 games (20 starts) in four years with the Texans as both a fullback and tight end. The 28-year-old set career highs in 2012 in receptions (34), receiving yards (330) and touchdowns (3), while also being named to USA Today's All-Joe Team. He has tallied 66 catches for 752 yards and four touchdowns in his career.
Casey starred collegiately as a running back at Rice, where he set school single-season records with 111 receptions and 1,329 yards as a senior in 2008 en route to first-team All-Conference USA honors.
A triple major in economics, managerial studies and sport management, Casey returned to Rice in the 2011 offseason to complete his degree. A two-sport star as a quarterback and pitcher at Azle (Tx.) High School, Casey was selected in the seventh round of the 2003 Major League Baseball draft by the Chicago White Sox and played in their organization for three years before retiring in 2006 to pursue a career in football. James and his wife, Kylie, have one son, Cannon James.
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