September 02, 2007

Eagles Claim Reed, Togafau Off Waivers


Safety J.R. Reed's career takes him back to the place where it all began.

The former fourth-round draft pick in 2004 was claimed off waivers along with middle linebacker Pago Togafau on Sunday. To maintain the 53-man roster limit, the Eagles released linebacker Akeem Jordan and safety Marcus Paschal.

The 5-foot-11, 202-pound Reed showed a lot of promise his rookie season as the Eagles' primary kickoff returner, the role to which he will assume. He averaged over 23 yards per return that season, which included a long of 66 against the Carolina Panthers. In the offseason following his first year, he tried to jump a fence near his hometown of Tampa and cut the peroneal nerve which affected the movement in his leg and foot.

Reed faced an uphill climb back, but he returned to the Eagles for training camp in 2006. He did not make the final roster and landed with the St. Louis Rams, where he played six games. He finished last year with the Falcons and was in this year's training camp with the New York Giants. In the preseason, Reed recorded three tackles, an interception and a pass deflection on defense before he was cut Saturday.

As Reed takes over on kickoff returns, wide receiver Greg Lewis will remain the primary punt returner.

A rookie free agent out of Idaho State, Togafau spent training camp and the preseason with the Arizona Cardinals. The 5-foot-10, 250-pound Togafau had 16 tackles in the preseason. He led the Bengals in tackles in each of his last three seasons and finished his college career with a total of 361.

>>PE.com

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