JUNE 6, 7:20 P.M. — Turns out Perry Patterson’s stint with the Philadelphia Eagles was shorter than even the most pessimistic Syracuse fan could have predicted.

The former Orange quarterback was handed his walking papers by the Eagles on Wednesday less than 24 hours after he signed with the team.

The necessity to release Patterson arose because of injuries to the Eagles at tight end. Already down to just three active tight ends entering Tuesday, backup Matt Schobel experienced a hamstring strain that will sideline him for at least part of the minicamp. In response, the Eagles moved to sign another tight end to fill out the minicamp roster and needed to release a player to make room.

Patterson was the odd man out.

Patterson was a long shot to remain for long with Philadelphia to begin with. The fifth quarterback on the roster at the time he signed, there were few reps available for Patterson during Tuesday’s practice, and he watched for the most part while the Eagles took part in 7-on-7 and full team workouts. The Eagles were the first team to extend an offer to Patterson after he was not taken in April’s NFL Draft.

Where the three-year starter and former SU captain goes from here is unclear. Prior to the draft, Patterson said he received interest from Philadelphia, Buffalo, Cleveland and Atlanta.

Atlanta could be a possibility. Patterson said on Tuesday Atlanta had expressed recent interest but was unwilling to make any immediate changes at quarterback due to the legal controversy surrounding starter Michael Vick.

Published on June 25, 2007 at 12:00 pm