Eagles trade Dorenbos to Saints for pick
PHILADELPHIA »
That makes Rick Lovato the Birds’ new long snapper.
“Jon’s enthusiasm and positive outlook are contagious,” owner Jeffrey Lurie said in a statement furnished by the team. “He’s one of the most genuine, caring people you could ever meet. I speak on behalf of the entire organization when I say we are incredibly proud to have called him an Eagle and our doors are always open to him in the future.”
Dorenbos spent 11 of his 14 NFL seasons with the Eagles, who signed him to replace all-world long snapper Mike Bartrum in 2006.
Dorenbos brought the Eagles national fame when he came within a card trick of winning the America’s Got Talent competition. His gift as a magician earned him gigs in Las Vegas.
Dorenbos tied the franchise record set by Eagles great Harold Carmichael by playing in 162 straight games.
Dorenbos fractured his right wrist in the record-tying game and Lovato, from Neptune, N.J., filled in the rest of the way.
Cutting Dorenbos opened up $1 million in salary cap space for the Eagles.
“During this time of the year there are many difficult decisions to be made,” football operations chief Howie Roseman said. “We are pleased that an opportunity presented itself to allow Jon to continue his career with the Saints, and we wish him all the best. Even though he won’t be on the field with us this year, we hope that he will one day return to retire as an Eagle, and rejoin our organization in some capacity.”