Eagles Sign 6'9 US Army Ranger To Deal

[KnightAndDay]

Philadelphia Eagles sign Alejandro Villanueva, 6-foot-9 former U.S. Army Ranger - ESPN

The Philadelphia Eagles have signed Alejandro Villanueva, a 6-foot-9 defensive lineman who spent the past four years as an active member of the United States Army and most recently served as a U.S. Army Ranger.
The Eagles announced the move Monday, saying in a news release that Villanueva signed a rookie free-agent contract.



The 277-pound Villanueva served three tours in Afghanistan. He was recently promoted to captain.
The Eagles watched Villanueva, 25, perform at a regional combine in Detroit last month. He last played football in 2009 for Army as a wide receiver, converting to that position before his senior season.
Villanueva served as the Black Knights' offensive captain in 2009 and led the team in receptions (34), yards (522) and touchdowns (five). He began his career at Army as a reserve defensive lineman and transitioned to left tackle in 2008, starting all 12 games at that position as a junior.
According to the Eagles' release, Villanueva has earned a number of honors for his service, including the Bronze Star Medal for valor; the Ranger tab; the Parachutist Badge; the Bronze Star Medal for overseas service; National Defense Service Medal; Afghanistan Campaign Medal with campaign star; Global War on Terrorism Service Ribbon; NATO Medal; and Combat Infantryman's Badge and Expert Infantryman's Badge.
Villanueva graduated from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point with a Bachelor of Science in systems engineering and was commissioned into the Army in May 2010 as a lieutenant in the infantry.
During his first deployment to Afghanistan, Villanueva earned the Bronze Star Medal for valor for moving forward under enemy fire to pull wounded soldiers from an isolated position, according to the Eagles' release. He later volunteered for the U.S. Army Rangers program and served two more tours in Afghanistan.

 

[FaCe-LeE-uS]

He went from a D-lineman to OT to WR??? And now back to D-line?

He must have underwent one hell of a size transformation!

 

[shanny4055]

He was in Bears mini-camp two years ago, but he was only one and a half months removed from the front lines in Afghanistan. He should be in better football shape this time.


https://army.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=1367795

 

[shanny4055]

Army LB Steve Anderson

https://army.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=1632278&PT=4&PR=2

Former Army linebacker Steve Anderson hopes to catch on with an NFL team for mini-camps

 

[richig07]

Don't really get this being a big story. Pretty much camp fodder.

He wasn't even very good in college.

 

[BritishDolfan]

Don't really get this being a big story. Pretty much camp fodder.

He wasn't even very good in college.

It's a "human interest" story really.

 

[LucklessPadresFan]

Can you be too tall for a lineman?

 

[BritishDolfan]

Can you be too tall for a lineman?

Not on the DL really. Height is good for being able to bat down passes.

 

[FaCe-LeE-uS]

Can you be too tall for a lineman?

Not on the DL really. Height is good for being able to bat down passes.

Depends on the position actually (and mechanics)... A DT/NT, in particular, shouldn't be too tall because a shorter O-lineman could get underneath his pads and control him easier. For instance, a 6'4" NT could get overpowered by a 6'0" C pretty easily, doesn't matter how strong or how heavy the NT is. It's simple football mechanics! DE's rely more on pass rushing, acceleration, etc because they have more room to work with... So height isn't as much of an issue.