Philadelphia Eagles Trade Fullback Stanley Havili to Indianapolis Colts

The Philadelphia Eagles traded starting fullback to the Indianapolis Colts for defensive end Clifton Geathers, the fourth such trade the Eagles have made with Indianapolis since Ryan Grigson became the Colts' general manager last year. 

Havili, 25, was not expected to make the 2013 roster. New head coach Chip Kelly values versatile players and Havili plays just fullback, whereas newly signed James Casey can line up in the backfield and at tight end. The Eagles also have Emil Igwenagu on their roster, a player who can provide depth at both fullback and tight end, if necessary. 

Havili played in 15 games last year but participated in just 232 snaps, an average of 15 per game. He proved his worth as a run blocker but didn't do much with the ball, carrying six times for 22 yards and a score, and catching seven passes for 43 yards. 

The former seventh-round draft pick was traded for defensive end Clifton Geathers, who collected one sack and three tackles in eight games with the Colts in 2012. A sixth-round draft pick by the Cleveland Browns in 2010, Geathers has also spent time with the Miami Dolphins, Seattle Seahawks and Dallas Cowboys. The Eagles will be his sixth team in four seasons. 

He will likely compete with last year's second-round draft pick Vinny Curry for playing time at defensive end, opposite Fletcher Cox.

Geathers stands 6'7" and weighs 300 pounds, making him an ideal fit for Kelly's Eagles. The new head coach has already shown how much he values size in defensive players, as indicated by Sheil Kapadia of phillymag.com. 

Even if Geathers doesn't make the 2013 team, give credit to Kelly for the Havili trade, as he received value for a player he would have eventually cut, no doubt, in the preseason. 

Geathers' brother, Robert, is a current defensive end for the Cincinnati Bengals. His father, Robert Geathers Sr., was a third-round draft pick in 1981 but an injury ended his career before it began. His uncle, James, was also a defensive end in the NFL.