As the Eagles continue searching for dependable success in coverage on special teams, the team has signed linebacker Jason Williams and released Adrian Moten. Moten was signed last week as a replacement for Brian Rolle, who failed to excel on special teams after ceding the starting weakside linebacker job.
Moten, though, did not impress on special teams against the Pittsburgh Steelers last week, posting only two special teams production points on 16 snaps.
The Eagles currently rank 28th in kickoff coverage (allowing 30.3 yards per return) and 25th in punt coverage (11.1 yards per return). The Steelers only returned two kickoffs last Sunday (not counting one touchback), but one of the two was a 44-yard return by Chris Rainey, who broke a Moten tackle along the way.
So the message is clear: perform on special teams, or the Eagles will find someone who will.
Williams, meanwhile, was a third-round pick of the Dallas Cowboys in 2009, who spent parts of two seasons with the Cowboys and parts of two seasons with the Carolina Panthers. He was released by the Panthers as part of this year's final roster cutdown.
A Western Illinois product, Williams, 6-1, 245, has recorded 47 career tackles and four starts. The 26-year-old set an FBS record with 14 career forced fumbles while at Western Illinois.
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