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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted at 12:04 p.m., Thursday, March 5, 2009

NFL: Patriots acquire WR Greg Lewis from Eagles

By ROB MAADDI
AP Sports Writer

PHILADELPHIA — Veteran wide receiver Greg Lewis was traded by Philadelphia to New England for a draft pick Thursday, giving the Patriots some added depth and the Eagles another chance to stockpile prospects.

The Eagles received a fifth-round pick from the Patriots, who also get Philadelphia's seventh-round pick in 2010, a person familiar with the trade told The Associated Press. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the teams did not disclose the specific draft picks involved.

Lewis had his best season in 2005, when he caught 48 passes for 561 yards and one touchdown while making 16 starts. He joins a receiving corps that includes Randy Moss and Wes Welker but lost wideout Jabar Gaffney to Denver in free agency.

The Eagles now have four picks in the fifth round along with two in the first round. Last week, Philadelphia dealt two-time Pro Bowl cornerback Lito Sheppard to the New York Jets for two draft picks.

Lewis spent six seasons with the Eagles after signing as a rookie free agent out of Illinois in 2003. He had 19 catches for 247 yards and one touchdown last season, contributing mostly on special teams.

The 29-year-old Lewis has 127 receptions for 1,699 yards and seven TDs in 90 career games. He also has nine catches for 180 yards and a touchdown in nine playoff games. His lone score came in a loss to New England in the 2005 Super Bowl.

The Eagles are bringing free-agent free safety Sean Jones in for a visit Friday. Jones, a second-round pick by Cleveland in 2004, has played all four seasons with the Browns. He has 286 tackles and three forced fumbles in 60 career games, and ranks third among safeties behind Ed Reed and Oshiomogho Atogwe with 14 interceptions since 2006.

Philadelphia needs depth at safety after losing seven-time Pro Bowl pick Brian Dawkins (Denver) and backup Sean Considine (Jacksonville) in free agency.