I sat in one of the Eagles executive dining room with about 20 other local media persons to have a question and answer session with Eagles GM Howie Roseman. He was very candid and open about the team’s thinking going into this year’s NFL draft which takes place next Thursday, Friday and Saturday.
The young GM expressed a great deal of humility regarding the Eagles analyzing their previous drafts. According to Roseman, they have spent plenty examining their mistakes as well as their successes. The guys at the Nova Care Complex have also spent plenty of time seeing what successful teams have done in their drafting.
Again and again Roseman said, “We’re are going to take the best player on our board”. That was the theme of the session with the Eagles GM and he must have said it forty or fifty times. He admitted the team has made mistakes in the past by trying to draft for need or putting too much importance in the Combine or All-Star games.
Our session with Roseman including him giving his take on drafting quarterbacks. One of his initial statements was about the history of drafting franchise quarterback.
“Franchise quarterbacks are picked at the top of the first round”, Roseman insisted. For the most part that is true, except for people like Tom Brady, Drew Brees and Aaron Rodgers. Brady was grabbed in the seven round by the Patriots, Brees was chosen by the San Diego Chargers in round two and Rodgers was taken by the Packers late in round number one.
The rest of the league’s franchise quarterbacks were taken at the top of the first round like Peyton Manning, Eli Manning, Ben Roethlisberger, and Phillip Rivers. Did I mention that Tony Romo was not even drafted?
Despite talking about the fact that most franchise quarterbacks played a lot of football during the college careers, Roseman talked glowingly about a quarterback, Texas A&M’s Ryan Tannehill, who has played quarterback for only a couple of years. The Eagles GM talked about Tannehill’s athleticism and time as a wide receiver while at Texas A&M.
With all the talk of the Birds interest in drafting a quarterback Michael Vick is still a young quarterback and they’re very happy to have him.
I have a feeling the Birds are going to grab a quarterback in the second round or later. I could see them grabbing Oklahoma State’s Brandon Weeden in the second round or Wisconsin’s Russell Wilson later on.
There’s been a lot of speculation that the Birds are going to draft a defensive tackle and Roseman did nothing to change those opinions when he said, “The defensive tackle position is the deepest position in this draft”.
I would assume that defensive line coach Jim Washburn will asked his opinion on the matter. Roseman had nothing but praise for Washburn and how helpful he’s been in preparing for the upcoming draft.
As for what types of defensive tackles they’re looking for, Roseman talked about looking for guys who get off the ball, rush the passer with a passion, display a high motor when comes to getting to the football, and guys who love to play the game.
Roseman said that the trade for DeMeco Ryans gives #Eagles more flexibility on what kinds of qualities they will need in a linebacker. Ryans is a leader.
what he means is…. “we are going to draft a guy that will not fit what we do and we will let the guy go a few years later”. Im not a hater but they NEED to get thisone right. I have hope for graham- and allen but we need a grand slam this year.
yeah they need a brian dawkins type ‘grand slam’ ….they need a player that immediately brings something to the table… whether its extreme intensity or incredible smarts… hitting ability…something….
I like Kurt Coleman overall.. Im still not sold on Nate Allen (I keep seeing him getting his a$$ trucked in the giant game) but I really want Barron.. Get Barron if he is there (I would move up a few spots just to steal him from the cowboys, but I wont be mad if the birds dont) if not, get Cox or Keuchly
BUT MAKE THE PICK A GOOD ONE ANDY
With the 16th pick in the 2012 NFL draft… The Philadelphia Eagles select… Randy Bullock kicker Texas A&M.
Again and again Roseman said, “We’re are going to take the best player on our board”. That was the theme of the session with the Eagles GM and he must have said it forty or fifty times
No more I’m excited quotes because he took too much heat for that. The question is do they know who the best player is and why haven’t they taken the best player in the past. A lot of jiberish. You have to wait and see what comes out in the wash.
I think Cordy Glenn is the pick .. im preparing for the worst so im not disappointed..
They can not evaluate talent at all.. They actually have gotten better at it its only taken 11 years,, so im excited to see what happens regression or progression
its what i have beensaying they need to do in the first rd. you fill needs in the second and third but round one should be allabout the stud unless u can fill that need with a stud.
The Eagles will be in a great position to draft either Luke Kuechly, Quniton Copes, Cox, Poe or barren all of which are great options. One of these names will be a Eagle. I like Barren the most. I remember the Jim Johnson defense and Brian Dawkins was a big part of that and signing Barren would be the start to getting that blitzing swag back. Barren is a blitzing machine!
Hey guys this is the rumor I heard about the Eagles… There have been plenty of rumors lately regarding the Philadelphia Eagles interest in trading up for either Texas A&M QB Ryan Tannehill or Mississippi State DT Fletcher Cox, however the prospect the Eagles are really targeting is Memphis DT Dontari Poe according to a trusted league source. – Al Fronczak
This sounds about right the Eagles always throw a smoke screen about who there gonna draft I had no idea they would take Danny Watkins and Brandon Graham or Jeremy Macklin
Turk, I agree Brother. I don’t know if Poe is their choice at #15 exactly, but I do think they plan on drafting him at some point in this draft. But,They will have to do it before the Steelers, (who also like Poe, and are notorious for drafting talent). I think Quentin Coples will drop to usat #15, and the Eagles will pull the trigger.
Gut feeling is they trade up to around 7-10 and pick Fletcher Cox. Then trading higher into the 2nd and grabbing a player that will fall like maybe Hightower or Weeden.
washburn is probably salivating to get a chance to work with poe
Although he is making an attempt to say all the right things, all I hear from these talking chicken heads down there is, “BLAH BLAH BLAH, Nova Care spin machine, BLAH BLAH BLAH, Nova Care spin machine, BLAH BLAH BLAH!” STFU, GET IT RIGHT, & JUST DRAFT WTF YOU NEED TO MAKE US GOOD AGAIN! No more high motors, no more combine Mamula’s, no more Senior Bowl MVP’s, no more freaking head scratchers, DAMN IT! Their drafts, have been pathetic, especially on DF. Go read the article in CSN Philly by Reuben Frank, about our drafts, since Andy has been here. That’s everything you need to know, what I’ve been ripping Andy, all along about. That is an unbiased article, actually coming from an admitted Andy apologist & backer. I really wish they all what just STFU, because nobody believes what they say anyways. So what he is saying if the best available, ON THEIR BOARD, is a WR, RB, QB, or any position they don’t have dire need for, then that’s who we’re drafting. REALLY!?!? What about the positions that we actually, still are in desperation for, like OLB’s, DT & SS? We get the 2nd, 3rd, & 4th teer of the next level of mediocrity, again as usual, at those positions. I really wish I would not listen to, or pay attention to what these @$$clowns say, because it only furthers my disdain & bad taste in my mouth for this current FO of incompetent, jackwads!
I was just reading on a couple of sites, of all of the visits, private workouts & talks that they have had with various prospects-
Jeff Allen OL Illinois
Omar Bolden CB Arizona State
Michael Brockers DT LSU
Kirk Cousins QB Michigan State
Stephen Hill WR Georgia Tech
Janzen Jackson S McNeese State
Janoris Jenkins CB North Alabama
Trumaine Johnson CB Montana
Ben Jones C Georgia
Dontari Poe DT Memphis
Robert Turbin RB Utah State
Jerel Worthy DT Michigan State
The Eagles have also reportedly scheduled a visit for Dennis Kelly, a late-round offensive tackle prospect from Purdue. In addition to the official visits, the Eagles have conducted outside private workouts** with the following players:
Jordan Bernstine S Iowa
Orson Charles TE Georgia
Fletcher Cox DT Mississippi State
Michael Floyd WR Notre Dame
Nick Foles QB Arizona
Damaris Johnson WR Tulsa
Josh Oglesby OL Wisconsin
Cody Pearcy WR Huntingdon College
Chris Rainey RB/WR Florida
Ryan Tannehill QB Texas A&M
Bobby Wagner LB Utah State
This all tells me they are going to draft a DT, CB & WR very high & next tier will be LB, QB & OL. I don’t like it, if true. I’m okay with a high DT, but not CB WR!
So dcar, you’d rather they’d spell out their specific plans for the whole league to hear? It sounds like you’d be happier with the gm if he said what you wanted to hear rather than do his job which is to give a bullshit non-disclosing statement.
Nobody forced you to listen or took away your right to ignore his comments.
Also, the Eagles have worked out at pro days with with Marshall DE Vinny Curry & BC MLB Luke Kuechly.
STFU, Schill, I already said that, idiot.
Admit you are an illiterate, delusional, tool & go away.
D, but seriously man, kudos for doing that research, however history tells us that who they bring in for visits, and workout gives little indication of who they draft…
I would rather they stop with the Nova Care BS & spin machine, do a better job, in which they have done a piss poor job in doing!
How can one be both an educated derilect and illiterate?
All of the visits quite possibly be BS. They could go a complete opposite. I just want good players at positions we need & for the love of God, NO MORE HEAD SCRATCHERS!
That’s jake’s saying not mine, smart@$$! LOL!
Dcar, the novacare spin machine is facts of the business, every team is required to do it. Its driven by the league and media. But that last comment, I agree with every word. but I wish the same thing about every company in the world, and all the politicians too. But it ain’t going to happen…
Guess your right. I gotta stop listening to these nitwits during their interviews. It only furthers my disdain & the bad taste in my mouth towards them.
Yeah d, definitely the way to go. I used to listen to the press conferences and interviews all the time. then I wised up, its worthless to pay attention to, can ONLY make things worse, even for the greenest lipped coolaid-a-holics out there. But the media’s job has become to keep shoveling the meaningless bullshit ad nauseum
that last comment was very well said ! were u referring to mcnabb ?
Ha, good one nev. Na, mcnabb is a disgrunteled former player with clear psychological baggage. His path to post-career media work was paved well before his psychological demise, so he’s following through with it. However, in light of how his nfl experience has left him, mentally, dude should reconsider what he’s doing now….
Here’s the issue.
Andy have the last say a player.
Should I say more?
What history do Andy Reid have knowing defensive talent?
He was a damn clipboard holder and QB coach with Green Bay before the Eagles took a chance on him as head coach.
Was he the last say on talent in Green Bay?
So, what in the hell is going on at the Novacare complex?
There’s too many guys getting a chance to do things for the first time down there…… That was a shot in the dark that worked with hiring Andy, but you van’t apply that to every position when hiring coaches and front office people.
The Eagles need a proven General Manager and have so since the firing of Tom Modrak and letting Marc Ross go to the Giants which helped them out pick the Eagles since he’ve been there.
Andy don’t want anyone in position to question his authority which hand ties this organization.
Andy is so interweaved into every part of this team that Lurie have no idea how the team will run without him.
Jeffrey Lurie really should take this season to draft a plan for this team going forward without Andy Reid and to relegate Roseman to assist the next General Manager hired…A matter of fact do it in reverse.
Hire Marc Ross as Head General Manager since he’s familiar with the team and was there during our transition.
Give him full authority to shape the scouting program and hire the coach of his choice or have him bump Marty up to the head job keeping the offensive coaches in place.
Second, hire the linebacker coach from the Steelers as defensive coordinator and see if he can scheme from a 4-3 alignment…or hire the Giants defensive line coach as coordinator to bring that championship pedigree to Philly.
Jeffrey Lurie did well with hiring Andy, but his best coaching years are behind him. This team can win a championship with the talent we have, with a few upgrades…but not with Andy Reid.
We’ve won in the pst in spite of him..not because of him.
Lurie do you job!
Another thing…..
Now, we know why the Eagles early round defensive players sucks ass….
The Eagles didn’t draft the best players on the board.
So, if you’re hired to bring in the best players….why draft a player of lesser talent in a slot in which you’d have to pay him more?
Someone need to follow up these ridiculous statements.
What situation calls for not drafting the best player on the board?
It’s 1 week before the draft, believe nothing being put out in the media. If there is 1 thing I know about the Eagles draft, the pick is a better kept scret than the the nuclear rocket codes in the President’s “football”.
Last year Brian Baldinger called the Watkins pick in his final mock. I’m not saying he had inside info, I just think he has a good understanding of the Eagles organization and though process.
Any player, as long as its the best available in tge following, lb,dt, or safety would make me happy. NO MORE FASTBALLS!
DCar, I feel you brother. It will be all over next week. Save some of that for when they draft someone not worth taking. But lets wait and see, maybe they get it right this time…………….Maybe.
Paulman’s 2 trade Scenarios
– Eagles Trade #15 Pick, CB Samuel and 5th Round pick to the Jaguars for the #7 Overall Pick (Eagles then Select DT Fletcher Cox)
– Eagles Trade DE Brandon Graham and 4th Round pick to the Patriots for their #31st and and 3rd Rounder (#93rd Pick)
Eagles now have the following Picks
1st (#7) – DT Fletcher Cox (Miss St 6-4 300lbs)
1st (#31) – DE Vinny Curry (Marshall 6-3 266lbs)
2nd (#46) – OLB Bobby Wagner (Utah State 6-1 244lbs)
2nd (#51) – RB LaMichael James (Oregon 5-8 197lbs)
3rd (#88) – TE Ladrius Green (La-Lafayette 6-6 245lbs)
3rd (#93) – SS Brandon Taylor (LSU 5-11 210lbs)
No 4th Rd Picks
No 5th Rd Picks
6th (#172) – OT Matt McCants (UAB 6-6 308lbs)
6th (#194) – WR DeVier Posey (Ohio State 6-2 211lbs)
6th (#200) – FB Emil Igwenagu (U Mass 6-1 249lbs)
That’s it for now
That would be fun P, but not drafting a CB would be detrimental after trading Samuel. Hansen just isn’t very good in the slot any more. Lindley was cut and not picked up by anyone else, so that tells you about his ability. Marsh is still un-determined and I’d rather not have the slot CB spot handed to a 2nd year with barely any experience. Besides, I think Marsh projects more as an outside player anyway. I’d probably use that #51 on Boykin and take a flyer on a RB later.
Paul, you have a better chance of getting hit with lightning twice & getting mauled
by a grizzly bear & polar bear in the same day, than those trades happening. Are they the magic 8-ball’s trades, or are those voices talking again? LMFBO!!! You’re a funny dude.
CB Trevor Lindley is on the Eagles Active Roster Ceterisman
They resigned him after the Season after they brought him back to the practice squad, I believe..
DCar, I admit my Trade with Graham to the Patriots is wishful thinking on my part, but I do believe the WEagles will attempt to make a deal with Jagaurs for that #7 Pick if they really want to get Fletcher Cox for he will not last past the 9th/10th/11th Selections
Paul, I know. That’s my point. They cut him, no one else picked him up all year, then they resigned him. To me that says camp body or developmental player at best. In other words, without Asante, they have Nnamdi, DRC, Hanson, and Marsh and Lindley. Lindley is at the bottom of the scrap heap, Marsh is unknown, and Hanson has shown that he doesn’t cut it as the top slot guy. Since slot CBs play roughly 50% of the defensive snaps in today’s NFL, you need one you can rely one and the Eagles do no have that. That needs to be addressed early in the draft, imo.
This is his 1st full-Off-season for Lindley, let’s see how he does this camp before writing him off, I believe he can be a decent slot CB and take over for the aging J Hanson.. Lindley has put on about 8-10lbs and is about 195-200lbs now and per sources looks to be in great shape physically
You are also forgetting about Brandon Hughes who the Eagles are pretty high on who was on the roster last year and expects to compete as the top Nickel Back in the CB Rotation..
It won’t matter how bad Rosebush and Fatty do at the draft. This owner will bring him back and the fans will still put money in his pocket.
I’m dupious that Lindley out on 10 lbs and can maintain speed and quickness for such a small frame. Either way, at this point he’s nothing more than a body to fill out the depth chart.
I did forget about Hughes. But lets put into perspective this discussion: we’re talking about what now amounts to a 3rd starting CB. The nickel was one of Philly’s biggest weaknesses last season. We are relying on competition from a guy who was cut as a 2nd year player and not picked up by anyone, a vet who didn’t play well enough to keep the spot, a 2nd year project CB better suited to play on the outside, and an UDFA who played well in 2 games. what that sounds like is great for compettition for the 4th and 5th spots, not one that will play over half of the defensive snaps. They desperately need to bring in a highly talented CB suited to play on the slot on this draft, otherwise it will be more of the same…
Calling all Reid and Roseman haters. EXTRA EXTRA READ ALL ABOUT IT –
So you know how Navy, myself, and other rational folk have always said you need to compare all 32 teams in drafting to get an objective sense of how the Eagles actually perform? Well – (criteria is All-Pros – remember, this is more objective and accurate than using probowlers because it’s just professional media – not fans who can vote multiple times for thier allstar)….
http://mobile.cleveland.com/advcleve/pm_59556/contentdetail.htm?contentguid=TpSXNtGY
BAM
After you click on the above link, click on “#2” (you know, like Songs, Jakedog, Drummerwinslow, and Butch’s nicknames) and there you have it.
WARNING: THE ABOVE INFORMATION LEADS TO ACTUAL FACTS. OBJECTIVE MATH THAT MAY CAUSE HATERS’S HEADS TO LITERALLY EXPLODE. PROCEED WITH CAUTION.
Again….. BAM
(ps. I posted that link without this website delaying the post to clear for viruses or inappropriate content or whatever the reason is. So does anyone else notice the change in policy? Perhaps their anti-virus is down? Maybe they just improved the site? Maybe you guys want to post a link to test?
Oh yeah, and….. BAM. Just couldn’t resist.
Ha, never mind, they’re checking it.
Still……BAM
what link?
Dam thing is still awaiting moderation…..
Go to profootballtalk and click the link about cleavland drafting sucks…the link in there, then #2…
1rst is new england,. Second, baltimore, third philly
Dontari Poe and Vontaze Burfict will get our D over the top. Dam Character issues and a bad pro day. I don’t mean a thing. What you do on the gridiron when the helmets are on is what counts. ALL OF THIS IS MY OPINION.
It don’t mean a thing (sp). The hell with character issues.