BETHELHEM, Pa. -- Linebacker Jeremiah Trotter signed Philadelphia's contract and pulled on the No. 51 jersey, then sweated and studied with his teammates during training camp and renewed acquaintances with friends in the organization.
None of it truly made him feel like an Eagle again.
No, the moment that will hit him harder than one of his tackles is the Sept. 12 season opener against the New York Giants -- his first official game as an Eagle since his return.
"When I go out there the first game and the crowd is roaring and we're all amped up ready to go out against New York, that's when it's really going to hit me," Trotter said.
It's Trotter and the Eagles, take two, and neither side can really believe they've been reunited three years later after a nasty split.
The hurt feelings and bitterness have subsided. Now the Eagles are glad to welcome back Trotter.
"There are lots of new faces, I've had to come in and learn a lot of new names," Trotter said. "There are great guys here. I'm just excited to be part of it."
It's a second chance he never thought he'd have.
Trotter, a third-round draft pick in 1998, had established himself as one of the premier middle linebackers in the NFL during his time in Philadelphia, going to the Pro Bowl in 2000 and 2001.
He led the Eagles in tackles from 1999-2001, including a career-best 202 in his first season as a starter in 1999.
After the 2001 season, the Eagles placed the franchise tag on Trotter, which he strongly protested. His relationship with coach Andy Reid and team president Joe Banner quickly deteriorated and he signed with the Redskins soon after the Eagles removed the tag, making him an unrestricted free agent.
Trotter, however, never lived up to the seven-year, $35 million contract he received from the Redskins.
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