Birds punt Henry to curb
Bring back punter Mcbriar
PHILADELPHIA — The Eagles finally kicked Chas Henry to the curb.
While that wasn’t a shock, given their intention to run the second-year punter off in training camp, the replacement is.
Back is Aussie Mat McBriar, the camp competition. The Eagles signed him to a two-year contract Tuesday, although they’re only on the hook for checks prorated for games played the rest of the season.
McBriar, 33, was shown the door on the final cut.
Henry boomed three punts of 60-or more yards this season, averaging 48.3 yards on 16 strikes, two of which he dropped inside the 20-yard line of the opposition.
However Eagles opponents averaged 11.7 yards per return against Henry, who had a net average of 38.0 yards.
While nine teams allowed a higher punt return average, only four of those entities didn’t surrender a touchdown.
Despite a case of drop foot, McBriar averaged 43.8 yards last season with the Dallas Cowboys. The veteran of eight NFL seasons and two Pro Bowls netted 36.1 yards per punt, dropping 21 inside the 20yard line. McBriar missed two games in 2011. After the season he underwent corrective surgery.
The Eagles want more hang time from McBriar who is healthier now than when the Eagles released him according to his agent, Jack Bechta.
Bechta suspects the Eagles want more veteran consistency as they near that time of year when the elements impact the kicking game.
The Eagles’ special teams struggles came into focus when punt returner Damaris Johnson fumbled the ball away and Henry almost had a punt blocked kicking out of his end zone in a 27-6 loss last week to the Arizona Cardinals. The Cardinals easily won the battle of field position.
With turnover prone quarterback Michael Vick laboring, the Eagles have little margin for error.
Henry struggled two weeks ago against the Baltimore Ravens, his last four punts traveling 32, 38, 40 and 30 yards.
Henry boomed punts of 52, 56, 49 and 62 yards against the Cardinals, although the latter was followed by an 18-yard return by Patrick Peterson. Henry also had a 33-yard punt to the 18 of the Cardinals.
*** With long-snapper Jon Dorenbos nursing an ankle injury the Eagles signed Kyle Nelson to their practice squad as insurance.
Released from the practice squad was wide receiver Jeremy Ebert.
Nelson (6-3, 240) was last with the San Francisco 49ers, who released him the day McBriar was cut. Nelson played tight end at New Mexico State, catching 66 passes for 559 yards and two touchdowns
*** NOTES: The Eagles oppose the Giants Sunday night at Lincoln Financial Field. The Eagles have won seven of their last eight games versus the Giants, who won last year at the Linc … Eagles are 2 1/2-point favorites in the 8:20 p.m. NBC 10 start … The Giants are coming off a 36-7 blowout of the Carolina Panthers — one week ago Wednesday … Andy Reid is 9-8 versus Tom Coughlin … Giants are averaging 31.3 yards, third in the league. Eagles average 15.7 points, tied for 31st in the league … Eagles defense hasn’t allowed a TD in the second half of a game this season. Eagles have slammed the door shut on third down allowing opponents to convert just 12 of 42 (28.6 percent) attempts … Giants have been winning with their depth. With Ahmad Bradshaw out last week due to injury, Andre Brown rushed for 113 yards and two touchdowns. Wide receivers Hakeem Nix and Domenik Hixon both missed the last game due to injury.