Here are two reasons to immediately love the Eagles' newest linebacker.
One: While he wasn't named after the movie icon, Rocky Boiman
has the perfect name for Philadelphia.
Two: He's got a grudge against Dallas.
The Eagles made their fourth addition of the free agency period when they inked Boiman, a versatile special teams demon, to a one-year contract.
"I think it was a good situation," said Boiman. "First of all, it's a team that is always competitive and in the hunt every year. Winning has always been the most important thing to me. As far as the position at linebacker, there is a lot of youth. I think I can come in and bring some veteran capabilities to that. I think it's going to be a really good fit."
A fourth-round draft pick of the Titans in 2002 out of Notre Dame, the 6-4, 236-pound linebacker has played in 86 career games (19 starts) and nine playoff contests with Indianapolis (2006-07) and Tennessee (2002-05). He has posted 194 tackles, five interceptions (including one returned for a touchdown at Pittsburgh in 2003), 1.5 sacks and 91 special teams tackles.
Last season, Boiman was forced into a starting role at strongside linebacker when Rob Morris suffered a season-ending knee injury. He responded with a career-high 64 tackles, a pair of interceptions and another 15 tackles on special teams. Another reason to love Boiman: he's got some bling. He was a member of the Colts' run to the Super Bowl in 2006. Boiman is the most experienced linebacker on the Eagles as he enters his seventh season. Omar Gaither is the second-longest tenured vet at linebacker with three years under his belt. Boiman has played at all three linebacker positions, but is expected to make his greatest impact on special teams. Sounds like a job that would have been perfect for his movie namesake. "I think at this level, you have to have the desire on special teams," said Boiman. "A lot of times, it's not the prettiest work in the world, but you have to be tough and you have to really have that desire to run down the field and know you're going to get hit and things like that. It's something that has really been big for me. It's been a big part of my career and has kept me in the league for a while. I'm definitely looking forward to doing it here too." Now playing in what he described as a "physical" NFC East, Boiman will also get the chance to play against the Cowboys twice a year. After he left Tennessee, he signed with Dallas but was the odd man out after they drafted Bobby Carpenter and moved Greg Ellis to linebacker. A fan of the movie Rocky, Boiman said that he knows the theme song, but don't ask him to sing it. Having the name certainly wasn't lost on him in the days leading up to his visit with Philadelphia. "I had never even thought about it until a day or so ago, my buddy said something about it," said Boiman. "There's definitely some irony there. It should be a fun thing." With Boiman in the fold, the Eagles have signed three defensive players in free agency (cornerback Asante Samuel and defensive end Chris Clemons the others) and one offensive player (fullback Dan Klecko).
