The Eagles signed punter Donnie Jones to a one-year contract Monday and released Mat McBriar.

Jones, formerly of the Texans, is a two-time All-Pro selection.

“Donnie Jones is a guy that we have admired over the last several years,” said Eagles general manager Howie Roseman. “He has one of the strongest legs in the entire NFL and we’re excited we had a chance to sign him. We watched a lot of tape on him and he’s coming off a very good season with Houston. We feel he’ll add a good element to our special teams units.”

One of the most interesting scenes at the owners meetings in Phoenix last week came courtesy of Patriots owner Robert Kraft. He stopped to meet with a group of reporters outside of the Biltmore Hotel and, having just lost Wes Welker to the Denver Broncos, stepped out of character and went into great detail to explain why the Pats were unable to strike a deal with the popular wideout. In his efforts to paint New England in a better light, he allowed us a peek at the new NFL business model.

Since the start of free agency, the Eagles have added nine new players, but only one true pass-rusher – Connor Barwin.

Much of the offseason focus has been on rebuilding the secondary, but Howie Roseman, Chip Kelly and company still have work to do in bolstering the front seven – specifically, the defensive line.

Before we take a look at what areas still need to be addressed, let’s look at what the Eagles have on their current roster.

Brian Westbrook knows that 25-year-olds usually aren’t thinking about what their lives are going to be like once their football-playing days are over.

And so, he has no problem with the league changing the rules to make the game safer.

Westbrook, 33, sustained at least two concussions during his playing days and said recently that he’s already suffering from short-term memory loss.

While many running backs – Emmitt Smith, Marshall Faulk and others – have spoken out against the new rule that will penalize offensive players from using the crown of their helmets against defenders, Westbrook supports it.

As part of the pre-draft process, the Eagles will work out Georgia outside linebacker Jarvis Jones.

Brian Baldinger says that if Jones is available at No. 4, he’s a “no-brainer” for the Birds.

The Eagles are showing interest in Chargers defensive lineman Vaughn Martin, according to a report. Plus, analyst Greg Cosell ranks QB Ryan Nassib ahead of Geno Smith, and Broncos coach John Fox offers a candid assessment of Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie

There are many theories floating out there about Chip Kelly and his approach to football, most of which are promptly shot down by the coach when presented to him. He would like us all to take our broad brushes and throw them in a vat of turpentine.

One popular thought — brought to life by a Yahoo! Sports article in November — is that Kelly’s decision-making is driven by numbers, that he is using mathematics to guide him, and will spark a “Moneyball revolution” in the NFL.

Like Paul DePodesta and Billy Beane did in baseball, Kelly’s genius comes from exploiting arithmetic that other coaches are too naïve to acknowledge.

“I was told there would be no math,” Kelly joked during his sitdown with reporters at the owners meetings this week. And with that, he began to dismantle the “Moneyball” argument.

When Geno Smith recounted his private workout with the Eagles, he did so with a big smile on his face.

That according to Heisman Trophy winner and Director at IMG Academy Chris Weinke, who is working with Smith to help fine-tune the quarterback’s game in front of the NFL Draft.

“He was asked to make a lot of throws and plays with his feet,” said Weinke in a phone conversation with Birds 24/7. “He felt there was a comfortable fit with the people, he felt comfortable in the classroom. He thought he did very well.”

Arrelious Benn’s career had been going down a promising path.

He was a five-star recruit out of high school, showed off his versatile skill set at Illinois and got selected in the second round of the 2010 draft by the Bucs.

But since arriving to the NFL, he hasn’t lived up to expectations, totaling just 59 catches and 862 receiving yards in three seasons. Now, the 24-year-old is excited about getting a new start.

“If I’m being honest with you, I don’t like my career,” Benn said today. “I’ve got to stay healthy. I haven’t stayed healthy. I’ve had a problem with injuries. When I was healthy and out there, I made plays. I was consistent. But the big thing for me is to stay healthy. It’s no secret for me, I know that. I’m going to be honest with myself. Just come in here and do what I’ve got to do.”

The latest Eagles draft buzz, including notes on Geno Smith’s journey to the NFL, Chip Kelly’s interest in Arizona’s Matt Scott and Mike Mayock on EJ Manuel.

From Chip Kelly to the Eagles’ free agency moves, here’s what the national media are saying about the Birds this week.

The Eagles’ first free-agent signing was fullback/H-Back/tight end James Casey from the Texans.

Casey has not put up eye-popping numbers in his first four seasons in the league: 66 catches for 752 yards and four touchdowns. So why did Chip Kelly target him?

Here’s a look with the All-22.

Howie Roseman said recently that he generally views the owners meetings as the transition point from free agency to the draft.

Now that the meetings have wrapped up (props to T-Mac for killing it with his coverage in Phoenix), it’s just about time to get into full draft mode.

Which brings us to today’s focus: Star Lotulelei.

More from Chip Kelly’s sit-down with reporters at the owners meetings Wednesday. The conversation ranges from DeSean Jackson’s role on special teams to how much sleep a professional athlete should get a night.

PHOENIX — Chip Kelly referred to quarterback as the most important position on the field multiple times during his 70-minute session with reporters at the owners meeting Wednesday.

He also made it clear that he does not view it as a death sentence if your team does not have a franchise signal-caller.

“We still have to play,” said Kelly. “So if you don’t have a franchise quarterback you can’t just throw your hands up before the game and go, ‘We don’t have Tom Brady so we’re screwed today.’ Every coach’s job is to put their players in position to make plays. You have to adjust and you have to adapt, and I think that’s where people make mistakes.”

Kelly referenced Mike Shanahan drastically altering the offense when RGIII got hurt and Kirk Cousins went in. He also brought up John Fox making the playoffs with Tim Tebow and then Peyton Manning in Denver. Two different skill levels and styles, but Denver was able to make alterations and maximize the talent at that position.

Now we come to a most interesting part of this conversation.