The last time Derrick Burgess was seen in these parts he was sacking Tom Brady in the Super Bowl.
Now, some six years and two teams removed from that devastating loss, Burgess is back with the Eagles. Pretty unexpected, to say the least.
“I got a call and they said they wanted me to try out, work out for them,” Burgess said yesterday. “Philly? I said, ‘No problem,’ and so here I am.”
Burgess was brought in to replace rookie Brandon Graham, who is out for the season with a torn ACL. Burgess, a defensive end, played for the Patriots last year but walked away when he couldn’t find a home in New England’s 3-4 defense. Mentally, the 32-year-old had retired.
“I had already moved on,” Burgess said, adding that he was enjoying his time playing with his kids and dabbling in sports-talk radio work.
No one is quite sure what kind of role — if any — Burgess will have Sunday against the New York Giants. Coach Andy Reid said he may get a few snaps, depending on what type of shape he’s in. But when his number is called, Burgess will be ready.
“I’m just going to try to help this team as much as I can,” he said.
