Jeffrey Lurie explains his presence on Geno Smith scouting trip
The Philadelphia Inquirer Blog - Eagles
Jeffrey Lurie explains his presence on Geno Smith scouting trip
Zach Berman, Inquirer Staff Writer
PHOENIX -- The most intriguing part of the Eagles' private workout with Geno Smith last week was the presence of team owner Jeffrey Lurie, who seldom makes scouting visits. In fact, Lurie said at Monday's NFL league meetings that the last time he took such a trip was 1999, when the Eagles selected Donovan McNabb.
“It’s a common thing when it’s an important decision," Lurie said. "We haven’t had a very high draft pick in…14 years. It’s true on anyone we look at, we want all the information we can if we stay at No. 4 there."
The key part of the expression might be "if we stay at No. 4," but Lurie's presence in the traveling party should not be diminished. It shows that the Eagles are certainly considering the West Virginia quarterback, especially because Lurie said it does "not necessarily" mean he will accompany the team's decision-makers on other visits.
"But when you select a quarterback, it’s a very big decision," Lurie said. "You want every piece of information you can and have as many eyes on it. Nothing more than that.”
Lurie was also able to check another state off the lists of states he's visited because he had not previously been to West Virginia. The only two states remaining are North Dakota and South Dakota.
I can explain it.
Lurie's eyebrows insisted on going there and they dragged Lurie along with them. The eyebrows make all the decisions for the Eagles. Does that not explain Jason Baboon and Nnamdi and Jim Washburns?— ricciaje- Rapid City Ramblers have a 6'6" 235 lb. QB who can throw a ball 65 yards easy, and runs a 4.4 40.
... send us all a postcard Jeff.— FishFryFrank - Lurie needs to see Rushmore and the Eagles rush more.— dasher
- Rapid City Ramblers? I live in Rapid City and we don't have a professional football team.....kind of like Philly these past few years!— jakster
- One thing we do in Rapid City is play hockey - Go Rush!!!— jakster
- Lurie is a racist against North and South Dakota?— Flyerdom
- Laurie also admitted his favorite instrumental was "Dueling Banjos."— watsonmr
- That movie was set in Georgia, and had nothing to do with West Virginia, — mikenphilly
- Didn't know Roger Ebert posted on Philly sports. — watsonmr
- Clever and original. Like when out of town sports writers and announcers bring up Philly fans throwing snowballs at Santa...
Oh, and I'll take WVU fans singing Country Roads postgame over the theme to Rocky, thanks. - That's nice Jeffrey. I haven't been to New Hampshire, Maine, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Oregon, North Dakota, Michigan, Hawaii and Alaska.— vaphillyfan1
- WOW I feel soooo much better that Jeffie is personally scouting Geno Smith.
I hear he compiled voluminous piles of notes, too.......- jakster - I obviously had it mixed up with the Philadelphia Ramblers ... the first pro hockey team in Philly.— FishFryFrank
