PHILADELPHIA — Darryl Tapp is looking forward to a fresh start.
Two days after joining the Philadelphia Eagles in a trade, Tapp signed a three-year contract on Thursday. The 25-year-old Tapp will compete for a starting spot at left defensive end after playing four seasons in Seattle.
“I think a change of scenery will be good,” Tapp said. “I guess last year I had 2½ sacks, but honestly in my eyes, I feel like it was my best year. I had 2½ sacks and 18 quarterback hits. Last year was just a difficult situation with the circumstances that we had in Seattle. So, stats don’t always tell the story. It’s what you see on the surface.”
The Eagles sent defensive end Chris Clemons and a fourth-round pick in next month’s draft to Seattle for Tapp. A second-round draft pick by the Seahawks in 2006, Tapp has 18 sacks, two interceptions, eight forced fumbles and four fumble recoveries in 64 games.
He’ll battle Victor Abiamiri, Juqua Parker and Darren Howard for playing time opposite Pro Bowl right end Trent Cole.
“When I first found out I was being traded I was shocked, honestly, because everything I heard from the people in Seattle was that I was going to be there for this upcoming year,” Tapp said. “I was looking forward to going in there and getting the ball rolling again. When I found out, it was a bittersweet moment. It was bitter because the team that finally gave me a chance to play in the league was moving elsewhere without me, but it’s a sweet thing because I get to play for a great organization and be closer to home.”
Tapp grew up in Virginia and went to Virginia Tech. The Eagles scouted him in college and considered selecting him in the draft before he was off the board.
Tapp was a restricted free agent and signed a one-year tender this week. His contract runs through the 2012 season.
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