"JASON AVANT doesn't run real fast and he isn't a diva. Somehow, Avant has overcome these potentially crippling NFL wideout handicaps to become a solid cog for the Eagles, who yesterday rewarded him with a 5-year contract worth as much as $18 million, with $8 million guaranteed, and a $7 million payout this season, a source close to the situation said.

Like fullback Leonard Weaver, the other restricted free agent the Birds tendered, then signed to a longer deal (in Weaver's case, 3 years), Avant is a leader who exemplifies team values. It's hard not to infer that management understands the importance of emphasizing those traits, with a young locker room containing several impressionable young stars.

"Jason is an important component of our offense and we're glad to get him signed to a long-term contract today. I really admire his approach to the game of football and his approach to life in general," general manager Howie Roseman said in a statement released by the team. The Eagles tendered Avant at the second-round level last week, amid rumblings they were close to a longer deal.

"He's an extremely hard worker, yet he's very humble. Plus, he's an extremely tough competitor on the field. I'm glad he'll be a Philadelphia Eagle for the long haul."

Avant thanked everyone involved, including his wife, his late grandmother, his cousins, Jesus, and "the Eagles organization for taking a chance on me. Those people, Mr. [Jeffrey] Lurie, Mr. [Joe] Banner, Howie Roseman and coach [Andy] Reid, they were in a tough position, because I didn't run the best 40-time and it was kind of looked down upon at that time."

Preparing for the 2006 draft, Avant suffered a broken arm and couldn't really get off the line like a sprinter, either at the NFL scouting combine, where his times were recorded as "inj," or 3 weeks later at Michigan's pro day, where he ran a 4.62.

Avant told yesterday of his disappointment when the first three rounds, and the first day of the draft, passed without his name being announced. Avant said he was bolstered by a call from thenPatriots safety Rodney Harrison, whom Avant had met through one of his brothers."