Eagles extend DT Patterson through 2016
By RANDY PENNELL, Associated Press Writer
November 2, 2006
PHILADELPHIA (AP) -- Second-year defensive tackle Mike Patterson signed a seven-year contract extension worth $32 million that will make him a Philadelphia Eagle through 2016.
The deal came quickly over the last week, Patterson said in a conference call Thursday.
"If anything, I was thinking later on in the summer," Patterson said. "It kind of threw me off at first."
The contract extension, which could be worth more than $40 million with incentives, came unusually early in Patterson's career -- just a year and a half into his rookie deal -- making him the first member of his draft class to get a significant extension. The extension contains $9 million in guaranteed money.
Patterson, 23, started seven games last season after being drafted by the Eagles with the 31st pick out of Southern California in the 2005 draft.
Patterson, a three-year starter at USC, had 44 tackles and 3 1/2 sacks as a rookie. This season, Patterson has started all eight games and has 28 tackles, 1 1/2 sacks and recovered two fumbles -- one he returned 98 yards for a touchdown against the San Francisco 49ers, the longest in team history.
The Eagles are fond of locking up their young players early. Starting cornerbacks Lito Sheppard and Sheldon Brown, as well as guard Shawn Andrews, are among the young stars the team has signed to long-term deals well before their rookie contracts expired. In return for an early payday, the team avoids having their young players hit free agency in their prime.
Patterson said it was a tough decision to accept the contract and push his chance at free agency well off into the future, but he was comfortable with his choice.
"They presented an offer and it was a good one," he said. "I thought this was the best thing for me to do."
The Eagles' historically good performances under coach Andy Reid gave Patterson the confidence to sign a long-term deal with the team.
"Everybody that's been here for a long time that I've talked to, they've been happy," Patterson said.
Patterson broke his left hand in last week's dismal 13-6 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars and underwent surgery earlier this week, but doesn't expect to miss any time.
The Eagles are off this week and return from the bye to host the Washington Redskins on Nov. 12.
