When former Syracuse University recruited Perry Patterson out of McCaskey in 2003, its coach at the time, Paul Pasqualoni, compared him favorably to former Orangemen great Donovan McNabb.
Now Patterson may have the chance to really see how those comparisons stack up.
The former Red Tornado star signed a one-year contract with the Philadelphia Eagles, his agent announced Tuesday.
Terms of the deal were not released.
"I'm very happy for him," said Jerome Tierney, the Pittsburgh-based attorney who represents Patterson. "He has worked so hard, both before the draft and after, trying to get his shot. I'm glad he'll get the opportunity to prove himself."
Patterson, a 6-4, 240-pound lefty, joins an already-crowded group of signal callers with the Birds.
In addition to McNabb, an All-Pro in the midst of a comeback from the major knee injury he suffered last season, the Eagles have second-round draft choice Kevin Kolb, incumbent backup A.J. Feeley and veteran journeyman Kelly Holcomb on their roster.
McNabb is not participating in the Eagles first minicamp this week, but is expected to be back for the start of training camp on July 27. Feeley is pencilled in at No. 2, while Kolb is touted as the heir apparent to the starting job sometime down the line.
With those roles set, and another proven veteran ahead of him on the depth chart, the numbers don't look encouraging for Patterson.
Less encouraging is the way his acquisition was described by the Philadelphia Daily News, which referred to Patterson as "an extra minicamp arm."
But Tierney said fans shouldn't write his client off. If he doesn't prove to be a good fit at quarterback, perhaps he could find a home at another position.
"He's certainly athletic enough to work as a wide receiver or a tight end," Tierney said. "Since the draft, I talked with other teams about that, sort of putting him in that Kordell Stewart or Antwaan Randle-El mode."
That's intriguing, since the Eagles are currently a little short on tight ends these days. Their starter, L.J. Smith, will be out until training camp as recovers from surgery on a sports hernia.
Smith's backup, Matt Schobel, strained a hamstring on Tuesday, which leaves just two healthy tight ends — fifth-round pick Brett Celek and practice squad veteran Lee Vickers — on their roster.
But Tierney said the Eagles don't seem interested in moving Patterson around.
"From what we've talked about, they only seem interested in him as a quarterback," Tierney said. "But he's certainly athletic enough that moving to receiver or end wouldn't be out of the question."
Tierney said the Eagles were one of several teams he talked to about Patterson prior to the draft.
"My feeling was they liked him and were aware of him," he said. "They told me they thought he would be a top-priority free agent for someone if he didn't get picked."
But when Patterson wasn't selected, he was unable to land with any teams. He had a tryout with the Buffalo Bills at their first rookie camp in mid-May, but was unable to land a job.
Tierney spent the weeks since then trying to get his client a shot elsewhere, with no luck.
Then, last week, the Eagles came calling.
"They asked him to come in (last weekend), and gave him a workout on Monday," Tierney said. "He impressed enough people that they offered him a contract on the spot."
That was a sudden change in philosophy for the Eagles, who seemed lukewarm on Patterson after they spent their second-round pick on Kolb, the University of Houston signal caller whom they annointed as McNabb's heir.
"A few weeks ago, after the draft, I didn't sense they had any continuing interest in Perry," Tierney admitted. "But I kept calling, asking how they liked their quarterbacks and whether they could give Perry a look.
"I'm not sure what prompted this change of heart or what their plans for him are, but I'm glad he's getting the chance. Perry's a hard worker and a great athlete, and it's just a shame he was overlooked this long. If they give him a shot, I think he'll open some eyes."
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