Derek Landri

The Eagles added depth to its defensive line today when the team announced the signing of tackle Derek Landri to a one-year deal.

Landri was in the Eagles training camp last summer but was one of the last players cut.

He was brought back after Antonio Dixon tore his triceps in October and was lost for the season. 

Landri responded with a solid season but did not get the long term deal he was looking for and at one time was reportedly looking elsewhere.

In 2011 Landri and recorded 43 tackles and two sacks in 12 games. He also blocked a field goal and led the team with eight tackles for a loss. Prior to signing with the Eagles, Landri, who has been in the NFL since 2007 when he was drafted in the fifth round by Jacksonville, started 16 games with the Carolina Panthers in 2010 and set career highs with 63 tackles and three sacks.

Even though his deal is for just one year, Landri said he was grateful to be an Eagle.

“I’m happy to be back as an Eagle,” Landri during a conference call with media today. “It took a little while but glad we got it done. I want to thank (owner, Jeffrey] Lurie,  Coach [Andy] Reid, and [defensive line coach] Jim Washburn who helped me through the process and we got a deal done. I’m happy to be back.”

Landri said he wanted a long term deal.

“I would have like to have a long-term contract, and we actually had something done about a week and a half ago and then JP [left tackle Jason Peters] had that unfortunate accident and kind of threw a wrench in it for me,” Landri said. “I actually thought I wasn’t going to be back there, but both sides had cool heads and we wound up getting something done.”

On why he still came back when the long-term deal fell through. Reportedly,  the Eagles had a longer deal on the table, but pulled it after the injury to offensive tackle Jason Peters.

“Just the opportunity to play under Coach Reid, Coach Washburn, and the d-line,” Landri said. “It’s a group unlike any other I’ve been around, collegiate or professionally, and it’s a group you want to play for and play with. That’s the biggest pull. As far as the organization, it’s the best organization that I’ve been around. After talking with other guys in the NFL and what I’ve heard about other organizations, they don’t really hold a candle. Those kind of are the big factors as to why I came back to Philadelphia. From what my wife reads to me and my family sending me stuff, I guess I have a pretty big fan base out there, too, and that kind of draws you back a little bit.”

Landri said there were no hard feelings when he could only get a one-year contract.

“No, it’s a business and you can’t let something like that pull you down. Don’t believe for a second that I won’t use that as far as the way I play football.”

Landri had nothing but positive thing to say about the Birds defensive line.

“We were the best defensive line in the NFL last year. We have potential to be better than we were last year, and we left a few things on the table last year. I’m not satisfied at all with the outcome, and I decided to come back and be a part of it.”

Landri is a native of Concord, CA and played college ball at Notre Dame.