Last night the Eagles signed free agent back-up cornerback Joselio Hanson to a five-year deal.
“We are happy to keep Joselio in Philadelphia with a long-term contract,” said head coach Andy Reid. “He’s become a productive and valuable player on defense for us over the last few years, especially in nickel situations. Good cornerbacks are certainly a valuable commodity in this league and Joselio definitely fits that category.”
This signing eliminates any reason for the Eagles to use a pick for a cornerback. Hanson gives the Birds three solid corners.
The 27-year-old Hanson played in all 48 regular season games (eight starts) and all five postseason contests for the Eagles since signing with the club as free agent prior to the 2006 campaign. He originally joined the NFL as a rookie free agent with San Francisco in 2003 and, after spending his rookie season on the 49ers practice squad, played in 13 games (three starts) for the Niners in 2004.
In 2008, Hanson recorded his first career interception (vs. the Cardinals’ Kurt Warner on Thanksgiving night) and his first career touchdown (a 96-yard fumble return for a score in the Eagles playoff-clinching victory over the Cowboys). He also recorded one sack among his 32 tackles.
A native of Inglewood, CA, Hanson was a two-year star at Texas Tech after transferring from El Camino Junior College. Hanson remains inspired by his father, John, who battled multiple sclerosis until he passed away from complications from the disease in 2000, saying “he always kept a positive outlook on life.
