NJ construction manager signed by Eagles for the Super Bowl

[underpants]

Wow what a great story, so far.

http://abcnews.go.com/Sports/wireStory?id=442246

PHILADELPHIA Jan 25, 2005 — Jeff Thomason put down his hard hat, grabbed a helmet and joined the NFC champions. The veteran tight end is going to the Super Bowl with the Philadelphia Eagles after being out of the NFL the last two seasons.

"It's incredible. I'm probably the luckiest guy in the world," Thomason said Tuesday after he signed with the Eagles to replace injured tight end Chad Lewis, a three-time Pro Bowl selection.

Thomason was working as a project manager for a construction company in New Jersey when the Eagles called Monday. Lewis actually made the first call, telling Thomason he was recommending him as a replacement.

This will be Thomason's third trip to the Super Bowl. He went twice with the Packers when Eagles coach Andy Reid was an assistant under Mike Holmgren.

Thomason said he's using his two weeks' vacation to moonlight as a football player.

"When I get back, I'll have to work a year straight without vacation," he said. "I'll probably make more during vacation than my annual salary. Now I know how hard it is to earn a buck in the real world. I worked a lot of hours."

[Patiod]

1. This was all over the Phila local news

It is a fun story

[WilliamPitt]

2. Sweet

He has two weeks to learn the system. Good thing he's used to hard work. This is a neat story.

[underpants]

3. He knows the west coast offense backwards and forwards

He just needs to tune up on the Eagle's version.

[WilliamPitt]

5. That's what I mean

[MrSlayer]

4. He's been in the system for 10 years.

So that's not a problem, he needs to let the defense smack him around a bit to get into game shape. Obviously Thomason is no world beater else he'd have been in the NFL the last two years but he'll be servicable in the blocking scheme and is good for a few possession receptions.

[HuckleB]

7. He's 35-years-old!

No, he's no world beater, but few world beaters at his position play at that age.

[MikeG]

6. NJ Construction manager - Did he sit in the lawn chairs or work?

[HuckleB]

8. Apparently he's kept in shape for other athletic endeavors.

[Patiod]

9. I read somewhere he still does Iron-Main competitions

Not exactly an out-of-shape ex-jock.

(changed my avatar from Phillies to Eagles, but just until Feb 6)

[Penndems]

10. This is great and all, I'm happy for the guy, and I'm not clowning

on New Jersey, but I have to ask: Why didn't they recruit somebody from Pennsylvania? There's plenty of construction workers (and beefy guys in other professions) in The Keystone State who would LOVE to have an opportunity to do something like this.

How about the Eagles organization giving a little home-grown talent the chance of a lifetime? It would be a great morale booster, would give PA some nice publicity - not to mention providing a hefty paycheck to someone who would spend at least some of it in that state.

I'm a little surprised that Governor Rendell, being a huge Eagles fan, the former Mayor of Philly and Pennsylvania's biggest cheerleader, didn't put a phone call in to Coach Reid. ;)

Just a thought . . .


www.philadelphiaeagles.com

[justiceischeap]

11. As I recall from the story

Chad Lewis suggested him. Apparently the two of them have a "history."

[Penndems]

12. Ah-ha! It's a case of not necessary what you know,

but WHO you know! :)