CB Will Peterson changes name, signs deal with Eagles
By Len Pasquarelli
ESPN.com
Maybe a name change will reverse the fortunes of star-crossed cornerback Will Peterson.
The five-year veteran, who at one point was one of the NFL's emerging young standouts at the position, but who has not played in a game in nearly 14 months because of back problems, on Tuesday signed a one-year contract with the Philadelphia Eagles.
He also changed his name to William James.
To make room on the roster for James, the Eagles waived cornerback Dexter Wynn, a sixth-round pick in the 2004 draft, who played in 28 games in three seasons with the team.
"William is someone that we have liked for a long time, going back to when I was in Miami, and he was coming out in the [2001] draft," general manager Tom Heckert said of James. "We obviously know him very well, from having played against him two times a year when he was with the Giants. He's a very good cover corner who has good size and, when healthy, he was a very productive player for the Giants. We feel very confident that he can help us in the near future."
By any name, James, who was released by the New York Giants early this spring, is a solid gamble for a team that has suffered some injuries in the secondary this season. It is not yet known how the Eagles will use James, particularly now that nickel cornerback Roderick Hood seems to have recovered from some nagging injuries. But for James, the one-year deal provides an opportunity to demonstrate to teams that he is healthy again, and then he will be able to go into the unrestricted free-agent market in the spring. ....
