Chris Long received plenty of excellent advice before signing with the Philadelphia Eagles Tuesday.

The best advice actually came from the player he replaced.

In an interview with John Clark of CSN Philly, Long said former Eagle Connor Barwin was the player that ultimately convinced Long to sign with the Eagles. Barwin's comments about the Eagles sold Long's decision to come to Philadelphia.

"When I heard they (Eagles) were in play, I actually talked to one of my good buddies, Connor Barwin. He had nothing but good things to say about the team, coaches," Long said. "It was the best football fit for me, pure and simple. We made it work, I'm so thrilled."

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Barwin spent four years in Philadelphia before the Eagles released him earlier this month as a cap causality. The Eagles replaced him with Long, a natural 4-3 defensive end who excels in a three-point stance.

Like Barwin, Long wasn't a fit in New England, which showed in the second half of the season and during the Patriots Super Bowl run. Long started in just seven games in a 3-4 scheme, finishing with 35 tackles, four sacks, three pass deflections and a forced fumble.

"I really didn't have a perfect scheme fit up there," Long said. "This is the type of defense I'm accustomed to playing in and I'm really excited."

Barwin started with the Eagles in his final season at defensive end opposite Brandon Graham. While Long wants to start, that wasn't the reason he decided to come to Philadelphia.

"I'll compete for it (starting job). At the end of the day it was all about schematic fit for me," Long said. "I wouldn't have tried to be a part of this thing if this team wasn't on the rise, This team's got a lot of respect around the league.

"I knew that up in New England, they took notice because they played the Falcons as tough as anybody. I'm just lucky to be a part of it now and hopefully continue to be a part of something that's on the ascend."

To follow Eagles reporter Jeff Kerr on Twitter: @JeffKerr247