Filed under: Eagles, NFC East
The two-month period of
NFL front office personnel and coaches playing cat-and-mouse with the media regarding the draft began Thursday in Indianapolis.
Philadelphia general manager Howie Roseman did nothing to dissuade those of us who believe that the
Eagles have to focus on the offensive line in April -- after not using any of their 13 picks in 2010 on blockers and then losing center
Jamaal Jackson for the year in the opener.
"The talent level overall is probably better than it has been the past few years," Roseman said at the NFL Scouting Combine. "It's deep. You have some guys who are versatile, who can play tackle, who can play guard. We want to make sure we get the best talent on the offensive line. We have some guys that are scheduled to be free agents. It's an area we didn't really address last year (but) we believe in building the o-line."
With longtime line coach Juan Castillo having made the stunning switch to defensive coordinator, Philadelphia's guys up front -- who were largely responsible for allowing 49 sacks last year -- are now in the hands of an even more proven assistant, Howard Mudd.
"We spent some time with Howard as a personnel staff, just in terms of what he's looking for, maybe the differences in some of the guys that he's more comfortable with," Roseman said.
Mike McGlynn gained invaluable experience as the surprise starter in Jackson's place last year as the Eagles won the NFC East for the first time since 2006. Roseman is also confident that right tackle
Winston Justice will recover nicely from his recent knee surgery.
That position is more important in Philadelphia since franchise quarterback
Michael Vick is lefthanded, making Justice the blindside tackle. The other good news for the Eagles is that unlike their NFC East rivals in Dallas, New York and Washington, not one of their five returning offensive line starters will be as old as 30 this season.
Kevin Kolb, who began last year as the starting quarterback, has said he wants to be traded, but Roseman wouldn't discuss any possible deals.
"Kevin's a great player," Roseman said. "We have a lot of confidence in Kevin, obviously (since) we gave him the starting job and traded
Donovan (McNabb) last year. He's obviously looking forward to being a good starting quarterback, and a lot could happen."
Kolb was a second-round choice in 2007, the draft before Roseman became Vice President of Player Personnel. In fact, the Eagles have generally done better with their second pick during Roseman's three drafts with some measure of power (he was promoted to GM in 2010).
In 2008, Philadelphia selected defensive lineman
Trevor Laws with its top choice and Pro Bowl receiver/return man
DeSean Jackson with its second. In 2009, solid receiver
Jeremy Maclin was picked first and standout running back
LeSean McCoy next. And last year, second-round safety
Nate Allen had a better rookie year than first-round defensive end
Brandon Graham.
So maybe the focus in Philly should be on whom the Eagles choose with their second selection (a cornerback, defensive lineman or linebacker?) instead of their first.
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