Wednesday, September 07, 2011

That was quick: Watkins benched, DeVan to start Sunday

Eagles G Kyle Devan
Veteran guard Kyle DeVan took all the reps with the starters at right guard today and will start Sunday when the Eagles visit St. Louis.

Rookie first round pick Danny Watkins played poorly in the preseason and clearly wasn't ready. The 26-year-old DeVan, who was picked up off waivers from Indianapolis, is limited athletically but obviously knows Howard Mudd’s scheme and started 21 regular season games for the Colts from 2009-10, including 12 last season at left guard. 

“The obvious [thing] with DeVan is he started a few years there for Howard and the Colts when Howard left, and did a nice job for them, was the starting guard on the Super Bowl team." Eagles coach Andy reid said. "He knows Howard's system which we’re using right now, so that’s a positive thing. It gives us another good offensive lineman.

"Danny did a nice job. You’ve got to remember with Danny now, and this is an important thing here with him, is that when you move from the college to the pros, that’s a tough deal. When you move from tackle to guard, that’s another tough deal, and when you move from the left side to the right side that’s another tough deal and then you add onto it missing part of camp.

" So he’s been playing a catch up game all the way through here. Even though he’s a little bit older he’s still a rookie. He’s working his tail off and I’m proud of him for how he’s handled things and he’ll do nothing but continue to get better.”

In 2009, DeVan started the final nine regular season games and all three postseason contests (including Super Bowl XLIV vs. New Orleans) at right guard.

The 6-2, 306-pound DeVan was originally signed by Washington as a rookie free agent in 2008 from Oregon State. After being released by the Redskins, he spent a portion of his rookie season on the New York Jets practice squad. He signed with the Boise Burn of Arena Football2 in the spring of 2009 before landing with the Colts.

A native of Vacaville, CA, DeVan was a three-year starter at Oregon State and ended his collegiate career with 38 consecutive starts.

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