Michael
Lewis
By DAVID MURPHY - April 20, 2002
Entering the draft, the Eagles knew they had three Pro Bowl-caliber
defensive backs that they could call on in the present.
Now, they hope they have three more for the very near future.
Andy Reid continued his defensive theme on the first day
of the draft and added Colorado safety Michael Lewis and South
Carolina cornerback Sheldon Brown in the second round of the
draft.
“I wanted to make sure that we have some good young
players that can come in and learn from the veterans, while
at the same time pushing those players,” said Reid. “We
have two cornerbacks that are getting up there in age and
we are giving these players an opportunity to come in and
learn from the best.”
The chance to snag Lewis with the 58th overall selection
proved too tempting to pass up. The strong safety out of Colorado,
who anchored one of the NCAA’s top defenses, is known
as a big hitter.
“He is a real big hitter,” said Reid. “He
can be groomed here for some time and then step in and play.”
The Eagles were in the market for a young strong safety after
Damon Moore, who started the previous two seasons at the position
for the team, tore his ACL in the NFC Championship game against
St. Louis.
Because of the offseason signing of Blaine Bishop, Lewis
will not be forced into the starting lineup immediately, but
will be labeled the strong safety of the future.
“He was a first-round-caliber player that we were able
to pick up in the second round,” said Reid.
Said Lewis of his reaction to being taken by the Eagles:
"I was running around, jumping around. I knew the Eagles
had some interest in me. They were calling earlier in the
week and we were communicating. I am elated about the opportunity
to play for the Philadelphia Eagles."
Reid is not the only football mind in America who believed
Lewis had first-round talent. As a matter of fact, the majority
of talent evaluators around the NFL viewed him as one of the
top safeties in the draft. However, medical questions scared
many teams away.
According to Eagles head athletic trainer Rick Burkholder,
Lewis suffers from a heart condition termed Lone Atrial Fibrillation.
People who suffer from atrial fibrillation have a heart that
either beats too slow or, in Lewis’ case, too fast.
The condition, however, according to both Burkholder and
Lewis, is not serious. The Eagles medical staff thoroughly
researched the condition before the draft, contacting the
strong safety’s doctors in Colorado.
According to Burkholder, Lewis did not even know of the condition
until it was discovered in a physical at Colorado and never
missed any practice or game time because of it during his
four-year career.
"It doesn't bother me at all. I can play 120 plays with
no effect," said Lewis.
“Our physical and medical staff have researched this
thoroughly,” said Burkholder. “We are very, very
comfortable having him play for us.”
“We all came out feeling good about the situation,”
said Reid.
