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ebruary 27, 2007
By CHRIS McPHERSON
The Eagles made sure that their two-time special teams MVP did not have a chance to hit the free agent market.
Safety Quintin Mikell was re-signed to a four-year contract Tuesday. The 5-10, 206-pound Mikell has been one of the best special teams players since he signed with the Eagles as a rookie free agent in 2003. Mikell's value increased when he earned a lot of snaps on defense in the final two games of the regular season.
"Quintin has been a really good football player for us," said general manager Tom Heckert in a statement. "He's a vital contributor for us on special teams and does a very solid job when he's on the field defensively. We're glad to keep him here in Philadelphia."
Against the Cowboys on Christmas, Mikell blitzed into the backfield and stuffed running back Marion Barber for a 3-yard loss on a 4th and goal. In the regular season finale against Atlanta, Mikell played most of the game at safety after the starters were rested and tied a career high with eight tackles.
By re-signing Mikell, the Eagles will enjoy some continuity as Rory Segrest begins his first season as the special teams coordinator. The Eagles also solidify their backfield as another safety, Michael Lewis, is scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent and appears headed for another team. Now, the Eagles have 10 players who are eligible for free agency when it begins this Friday.
The 26-year-old Mikell carved his niche on the Eagles through special teams where he was the MVP in 2005 and 2006, as well as one of the team's playoff captains this year. He has also earned league-wide recognition for his special teams play. Sports Illustrated's Paul Zimmerman named him an All-Pro and Pro Football Weekly declared that Mikell was the Eagles' best special teams player.
Mikell led the Eagles for the second straight year with 35 special teams tackles and 337 special teams production points in 2006. Those numbers topped his 2005 totals of 28 special teams tackles and 228 special teams production points. Mikell's fourth-quarter field goal block in 2005 against the San Diego Chargers was recovered by cornerback Matt Ware and returned for the game-winning touchdown. As a safety, Mikell has 51 career tackles, one interception, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery.
Born in New Orleans and raised in Eugene, Ore., Mikell signed with the Eagles as a rookie free agent after a successful career on the blue turf of Boise State. Mikell finished second all-time in school history in tackles with 401. In 2002, he was named the WAC defensive player of the year after he had 97 tackles, four sacks, one interception, eight forced fumbles and two blocked field goals.
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