Julian

Vandervelde

Vandervelde’s stay in Tampa lasted all of two days. A fifth-round pick of the Eagles last season, Vandervelde appeared in only one game as a rookie. He’ll look for practice-squad work.

A fifth-round pick last season, Vandervelde ended up getting into only one game. He’ll provide depth as the Bucs look to adjust to life without RG Davin Joseph.

The Eagles haven’t made it official yet, but this almost certainly means RT Todd Herremans (foot/ankle) will be placed on injured reserve. Vandervelde, a fifth-round pick of the Eagles in 2011, will be depth for a decimated unit. In addition to Herremans, the Eagles have lost LT Jason Peters, C Jason Kelce, and RG Danny Watkins to various injuries.

The Philly Inquirer hints Vandervelde could miss the first month or so of the season. He definitely won’t be ready for Week 1. A 2011 fifth-round pick, Vandervelde is mostly a blocker on the Eagles’ special teams units.

G/T Wade Smith was released in a corresponding roster move. Vandervelde was among the Eagles’ final cuts, but it was partly because he was dealing with a back injury. Vandervelde appeared in 14 games last season, and will provide some much needed depth along the Eagles’ battered interior line.

Vandervelde appeared in 14 games last season, but was out with a long-term back injury. He’ll look for work as a special teamer once he’s back to full health.

Vandervelde has plenty of polish as a two-year starter for O-Line guru Kirk Ferentz at Iowa. Jamaal Jackson and Mike McGlynn will battle for the center job, and first-rounder Danny Watkins will slot in as a starter at one of the guard spots. The other guard spot could be open to all challengers if Todd Herremans is kicked out to right tackle.

Vandervelde was a two-year starter at guard for the Hawkeyes, although at 6'2/301 his size limitations probably make him a center prospect in the Eagles’ eyes. A second-team All-Big Ten pick by both the coaches and media in 2010, Vandervelde comes from a pro-style background and showed decent athleticism at his Pro Day (5.09-5.13 forty, 30-inch vertical, 9-foot broad jump). He’ll be viewed as a potential versatile backup upon arrival.

The Eagles drafted two centers in April -- Vandervelde and Jason Kelce. It’s conceivable that one will make the roster and the other won’t. Kelce fits the bill of new OL coach Howard Mudd more because of his athleticism, so we’d give him the slight edge. Vandervelde has a lower “floor” after learning Kirk Ferentz’s pro-style offense at Iowa, but not as high of a “ceiling.”