Tight End Alex Smith signs with Eagles, Curtis cut

The Eagles kept only two tight ends on their initial 53 man roster, Brent Celek and Tony Curtis, leading many to speculate that they would be signing another tight end prior to Week 1. Well, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN, the Eagles have found their third tight end: Alex Smith. No, that's not the Alex Smith who plays quarterback for the 49ers, this is the Alex Smith who played tight end for Tampa Bay for the last 4 years.

Smith recently spent training camp with the Patriots before getting cut last week. Several teams were after Smith, including the Giants, but the Eagles swooped in and grabbed him. There is no word yet on who will be removed from the 53 man roster to make room for Smith although I would bet recently claimed DT Antonio Dixon is a goner.

Smith is a quality pickup for the Eagles and he could easily pass Tony Curtis on the depth chart and be the second tight end. He has 129 catches and 11 touchdowns in his four year career and is known as a pass-catching tight end. Smith isn't much of a blocker, however.

UPDATE: Indeed, Alex Smith has already jumped past Tony Curtis on the depth chart because the Eagles have cut Curtis, giving the team only two tight ends again. Seems strange to me although Smith is clearly the better tight end.