The Eagles added a little local flavor in linebacker Simoni Lawrence The product of Upper Darby High and the University of Minnesota signed a deal Tuesday with the Birds, then hit practice field.
Lawrence worked out with the Eagles last week then mulled over his options. The Hartford Colonials last week selected Lawrence in the fifth round of the 12-round United Football League draft.
The graduate of Valley Forge Military College wanted another chance I the NFL, having been released by the St. Louis Rams.
Lawrence (6-0, 230) has his work cut out. The Eagles are loaded with linebackers similar to Lawrence. The list includes Ernie Sims, Akeem Jordan and rookie fourth-round pick Keenan Clayton.
Interestingly Lawrence ran a 4.68 40-yard dash and registered a 40-inch vertical jump at the Indianapolis scouting combine. He also benched 225 pounds 21 times.
Clayton (6-1, 229) clocked a 4.66 in the 40 at the combine, produced a 41 1-2 inch vertical and 27 reps in the bench press.
Lawrence played two years for the University of Minnesota after transferring from Valley Forge Military College. He was fourth on the team with 85 tackles last season and had eight stops for loss. He also had four pass breakups, one interception and one forced fumble.