McDougle Signs With Giants

Recently cut Eagles' defensive end Jerome McDougle signed with NFC East rival New York Giants on Sunday, one day after being cut by Philadelphia. The Giants signed McDougle in hopes that he can help fill the void left by injured Osi Umenyiora, who is out for the season. "I look good in blue. I feel good to be here, staying in the division, so not really much of a difference as far as guys you are going against, and I just feel good to be here, to be wanted, and I am just looking forward to doing some good things on this defense," McDougle told New York-area reporters. "I like the defensive scheme, it is sort of the same kinds of things that I came from ? a lot of movement ? and we get after it" He should like the defensive scheme, since Giants' defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo was an assistant to Jim Johnson with the Eagles. McDougle was a first round draft pick of the Eagles in 2003 and has largely not lived up to expectations. He has battled through several injuries, including a gunshot wound, and played in just 33 games over the course of five seasons. Despite having the training camp of his now six year career, the Eagles significant depth at defensive end couple with his track record of coming up short was just too much to keep him on. "That was an extremely difficult decision for us with Jerome," said Eagles' General Manager Tom Heckert. "He's a great guy. He's worked his butt off to come back from a lot of adversity, and he's played well. I think he's not going to have any trouble finding work." Heckert is certainly right about that.