Howard making most of new role

PHILADELPHIA -- When the Eagles cut ties with Jevon Kearse in February, many assumed fellow defensive lineman Darren Howard was next on the chopping block.

And when the Eagles signed defensive end Chris Clemons, it seemed to be just a matter of time before Howard got the pink slip.

Then, the Eagles added two more defensive linemen in the draft -- including McNeese State defensive end Bryan White -- and it appeared coach Andy Reid had officially rendered Howard expendable.

Yet, when the Eagles wrapped up their first minicamp Monday, Howard was still there, dressing in the same locker stall he's occupied since being signed in 2006.

Only this wasn't the Howard of the past two seasons, the one signed to a six-year, $30.5 million deal and expected to wreak havoc opposite Kearse in the Eagles pass rush.

This wasn't the frustrated Howard, who never came close to fulfilling that contract, lost his starting job and eventually faded into the shadows of the NovaCare Complex.

This Howard had trimmed down by 10 pounds, expressed optimism about 2008 and had accepted his role on the team.

Hey, he still has one right now.

"My whole career, I've always been one of the guys, if not the guy, on the defensive line," Howard said after the minicamp, recalling double-digit sack seasons with New Orleans.

"I talked to [defensive line coach] Pete Jenkins before the camp and I talked about my role, and I understand that and I accept that. ... For the last two years, I didn't really understand what my role was going to be because it wasn't always clear. Now that I know where it is, I know where I fit with this team and I know where I can contribute."

Right now, Howard believes he's still an important piece of the team's nickel and goal-line packages at defensive tackle and a formidable backup to Pro Bowl right defensive end Trent Cole.

Howard disappeared last season after he lost his starting job to Cole. The big-play ability he showed for six season in The Big Easy was all but gone. When he did make an impact, it came during goal-line situations here and there -- certainly not what the Eagles originally broke the bank for.

Howard, who averaged 40 to 50 tackles and about eight sacks per season with New Orleans, had one sack last season and just eight total tackles.

The decline left Howard unhappy about himself and his situation in Philadelphia. But after much contemplation during the offseason and some discussions with coaches that cleared up his place on the team, Howard said he came to accept the role he can serve this season.

"It was different, something that you got to adjust to it," he said. "I think every player comes into that time of their career. As long as it's clear between players and coaches and staff -- which it wasn't always -- when it's clear, it's a lot easier to accept."

Now that he's trimmed some fat, Howard plans to add more muscle between now and training camp, which starts early this summer -- July 21 at Lehigh University.

He likes the weapons Reid added to the defensive line and is comfortable backing up Cole, even though the left defensive end job is open, with incumbent Juqua Parker, second-year pro Victor Abiamiri, Clemons and White, a third-round pick, in the battle.

Howard, a career right end, tried to play the left side when Kearse missed most of 2006 due to a knee injury but never felt comfortable and doesn't consider himself a candidate for the starting job.

He believes he can still start -- just not here.

"Not with the situation the way it is now," he said. "You got a young guy in Trent Cole playing. He's making a thousand plays. This is my ninth year. I'm 31 years old. That's not going to keep me from trying to get better, but you got to look at the situation realistically."