In filling out its 53-man roster, the team went out and claimed Pago Togafau off waivers days before the opener in Green Bay.

A rookie free agent out of Idaho State, Togafau spent training camp and the preseason with the Arizona Cardinals where the 5-foot-10, 250-pound middle linebacker recorded 16 tackles, which tied for best on the team.

New to Jim Johnson's defensive scheme, Togafau never really factored into the rotation at linebacker. Instead, his opportunity came on special teams.

Inactive for eight of the team's first nine games, Togafau played in his first NFL game on Nov. 18 against Miami. He saw action on special teams against the Dolphins and in every game following his debut and finished the season with nine tackles and 35 blocks - good for 66 special teams production points.

Togafau was a strong defensive leader for the Idaho State University Bengals, where he led the team in tackles in each of his last three seasons. He was voted their team MVP in 2005 and finished his career with 361 tackles.

So what's next for this unknown? At the very least, Togafau is a prospect with enough ability that the Eagles signed him to their active roster for last season. He showed the coaching staff something on special teams and he now has a full offseason to learn the defense.

- BOB KENT

NOTE: PhiladelphiaEagles.com will not profile players scheduled to become unrestricted free agents.

The Eagles liked Togafau enough after seeing him on tape last year in the preseason to claim him off of waivers and keep him around for the entire season, which says they think he has some ability. Togafau is a stocky linebacker who seems to run well and who did a decent job on special teams in limited time last year.

There was really no expectation that he would play in 2007. It's so difficult to come into Jim Johnson's defense anyway, and to miss every bit of practice in the spring and in the summer means you are starting at ground zero as the season started. So now we'll get a fair read on Togafau, starting in the post-draft mini-camp. I wish I could give you more of a perspective on what he can do, but all I saw was that he played on special teams last year.

Obviously, the linebackers are a fluid situation. There is a job to be won and playing time to be earned, so it's up to Togafau to go out and seize the opportunity.