Eagles re-sign Hanson, cut Lindley

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It took Joselio Hanson a few days to find a new team. Once he did, it was his old team.

Hanson, released by the Eagles Saturday, agreed Wednesday to terms of a new contract at a reduced salary. Hanson was due to earn 1.88 million this year. Exact details of his new contract were not immediately available but give the Eagles some cap relief from his previous 2.435 million cap figure

I know the environment, know the coaches, know the playbook, know my teammates, everything, Hanson said. So this made the most sense to me right now.

General Manager Howie Roseman said Saturday that releasing Hanson was one of the hardest decisions he and head coach Andy Reid made when they reduced the roster to 53.

With Asante Samuel, Nnamdi Asomugha and Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie taking up the top three corner spots, there simply wasnt room for Hansons salary.

But when Hanson couldnt find a team willing to pay him what he was looking for, he accepted what was apparently a standing offer to return to Philly at a reduced rate of pay.

We talked to quite a bit, maybe five or 10 teams, Hanson said. Its tough, though, getting released around this time, because everybody kind of has their teams set for the first week. So I weighed my options and I felt like this made the most sense, to come back here.

Hanson, who turned 30 last month, is considered one of the NFLs top slot corners, and he gives the Eagles a sound tackler and physical corner to go with Asomugha, Samuel and Rodgers-Cromartie. Rookie Curtis Marsh and second-year pro Brandon Hughes are also on the roster.

Hanson, who started his career as an undrafted rookie with the 49ers in 2004, has played in 82 games as an Eagle, starting 18, including a career-high six last year. He has four career interceptions and a 96-yard fumble return for a touchdown against the Cowboys in 2009.

The Eagles had trade offers for Hanson early in the preseason but opted to keep him instead of shipping him for a low-round pick as insurance in case one of the big three got hurt. By the time cuts approached, the trade offers had dried up.

I really thought I was going to get traded, but when that didnt happen I knew that they would probably let me go and I was going to be a free agent, he said. I kind of expected something was going to happen.

Where does Hanson fit in?

Head coach Andy Reid wouldnt say, but at a minimum hell likely be on the field in most dime situations.

Im looking forward to playing, he said. I just want to play football. ... I ve always thought that I was the best nickel here, but it is what it is. Im just going to wait my turn, really. If they want me to go in, Ill go in.

To make room for Hanson, the Eagles released second-year corner Trevard Lindley, a fourth-round pick last year. Lindley played in 12 games last year, starting one - the season-finale against the Cowboys.

Because he dressed out for at least nine games last year, Lindley is not eligible for the practice squad.
E-mail Reuben Frank at rfrank@comcastsportsnet.com

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