Jason Avant and Philadelphia Eagles Agree to Five-Year Deal

It appears as though the Eagles are much more inwardly focused this offseason, signing two of their own players and being very quiet in free agency.

Leonard Weaver signed a three-year extension with the team on the first day of free agency, and now Jason Avant has been locked up a few days later with a five-year deal that will keep him in Philadelphia through 2014.

Terms of the contract have not yet been disclosed, but it figures to pay him around $3 million annually with a modest amount of guaranteed money prorated over the next few seasons.

It's not a big contract, and it's not a move that's going to make a lot of national headlines, but it was the second-most important move this team could make in regards to free agents.

Avant is a guy they can absolutely not afford to lose, and now they don't have to worry about it.

Avant has been an absolute rock in the slot, seemingly always coming down with the key third down reception to keep the ball moving. His concentration when the ball is in the air is nothing short of incredible, and his hands may be among the tops in the league.

I would equate his ability to catch the ball to Larry Fitzgerald, so it's a shame Avant doesn't have the physical attributes to go along with it.

Avant had his best year last season with 41 receptions, 587 yards, and three touchdowns. He's steadily gotten better since his rookie season. He's got eight career touchdowns, all of which have come inside the red zone.

The Birds are hoping he improves on that number this season and can give the Eagles a trio threat similar to Fitzgerald, Anquan Boldin, and Steve Breaston of 2008.