Dhani Jones joins the Eagles

[WebHamster]

Philadelphia, PA (Sports Network) - The Philadelphia Eagles inked former New York Giants free agent linebacker Dhani Jones to a five-year contract on Tuesday, just three days after losing free agent linebacker Carlos Emmons to the Giants.

After sitting out his rookie season with a knee injury, the 2000 sixth-round pick out of Michigan has started 30 games over the past two years, and missed just one contest in the last three years.

In 2003, Jones notched career-highs in tackles with 120 and sacks with three.

"I feel like I'm getting better and better," Jones said. "I love this situation. I like the direction the team is headed in and what the whole situation is here."

The 6-foot-1, 240-pound Jones will likely slide into the strong-side linebacker position vacated by Emmons.

The Eagles declined to match the five-year, $16.5 million deal the Giants inked with Emmons, Philadelphia's defensive MVP last season.

This is the second big defensive acquisition for the Eagles this offseason, having signed three-time Pro Bowl defensive end Jevon Kearse to a $66 million, eight-year contract last week.