PHILADELPHIA -- The Philadelphia Eagles signed Julian Vandervelde Tuesday, bringing back a familiar face who happens to be familiar with Chip Kelly’s blocking schemes.
Vandervelde was released with an injury settlement after a back injury required surgery in August. That raised concerns, since Vandervelde was the Eagles’ only experienced backup to center Jason Kelce.
Sure enough, Kelce required surgery for a sports hernia after tearing the tissue during the Eagles’ game against Washington on Sept. 21. David Molk, who didn't play last season after being cut by the San Diego Chargers during camp, stepped in. Molk has started three games at center.
Wade Smith, a veteran guard who was signed after Evan Mathis injured his knee in the season opener, was released to make room on the 53-man roster for Vandervelde. Smith would have filled in if Molk had been injured in the past three games.
Vandervelde can also play guard, so he is likely to be active for games while Kelce is out for another month. There is a chance the Eagles aren’t satisfied with Molk's performance and plan to start Vandervelde at center. So far, though, there is no indication of that.
“I think David has done a good job, but David just hasn't been Jason,” Kelly said Monday. “Jason is truly the quarterback up there. You've got a guy who has a really high football IQ in Jason, and David is just getting a little bit more comfortable in it. But I think he's actually communicated well. I don't think it had been an issue.”
The Eagles met with Vandervelde a week ago, as ESPN’s Field Yates reported. Since then, the Eagles’ offensive line had its strongest game of the season against the New York Giants. One reason for that, Kelly said, was continuity.
“It was just more of everybody getting on the same page,” Kelly said. “But it wasn't a communication issue. It was more of guys just being familiar. You can't really talk about [how to adjust].You have to get a feel for that. With Todd Herremans being next to Lane (Johnson), they've been together a lot since last year. They've gotten a couple weeks in now. (Left guard Matt) Tobin next to Jason (Peters) for the second week in a row, and Molk in there at center. It’s just guys being more familiar and more comfortable with each other.”
Now Vandervelde will be back in the mix. The Eagles' fifth-round pick in the 2011 draft, Vandervelde was on the Philadelphia practice squad in 2012. He was on the active roster as Kelce's backup last season.