Roseman on LBs: 'We're looking'
The Philadelphia Inquirer Blog - Eagles
Roseman on LBs: 'We're looking'
Jeff McLane, Inquirer Staff Writer
Howie Roseman met with reporters today to talk about the contract he and the Eagles hammered out with DeSean Jackson, but there are still a number of unresolved issues for the team with free agency just two days old.
No. 1: Why haven't they yet signed a linebacker -- a position they obviously need to upgrade at -- and do they plan on addressing that need through free agency?
"I think we're looking at some things," Roseman said. "We're probably being a little more patient, which has really been our M.O. in free agency. It just so happened that last year was such a different dynamic that we had to knock out a bunch of things quickly."
The way the market has unfolded for free agent linebackers hasn't necessarily forced the Eagles to get something done right away. The top inside 4-3 linebackers available -- Curtis Lofton, Stephen Tulloch and David Hawthorne -- remained unsigned.
There was some clatter about Lofton signing with Tampa Bay but that never came to fruition. Hawthorne is scheduled to visit the Saints. The Panthers' Dan Connor is in Dallas right now. (UPDATE: Connor signed a contract with the Cowboys Thursday afternoon.) The Redskins' London Fletcher hasn't gotten a sniff.
While teams are snatching up a number of wide receivers and cornerbacks, there are still a number of quality linebackers out there.
"It always goes that way in the free agent market," Roseman said. "You see a couple of positions get hot and then everybody jumps on them because they don't want lose out. And, I think, it'll be almost like the draft. Once one signs maybe you'll start seeing them all knocked out."
Issue No. 2 for the Eagles pertains to one of their own unrestricted free agents, Evan Mathis. The guard is currently visiting with the Ravens. The Redskins and Colts are reportedly also interested in the 30-year old. With former Ravens guard Ben Grubbs signing with the Saints, Baltimore may bolt their doors to keep Mathis from leaving without a signed deal.
"That's the dangers of free agency," Roseman said. "It's a big boy sport right there. You have that risk when players get to free agency that you're going to lose them. You're aware of that and we hope Evan Mathis remains a Philadelphia Eagle, but obviously when you're on the open market things happen."
Roseman was then asked if the Eagles were prepared to do whatever it took to keep Mathis, who helped solidify an offensive line that was collectively the team's best in years.
"Whatever it takes, that's a very powerful statement," Roseman said. "We like Evan back and we're in constant communication with his representatives."
Mathis left the Ravens’ facility this afternoon without a deal, but he's having dinner with team officials tonight, according to the Carroll County Times, and is staying in Baltimore until Friday. “It was a good meeting with the Ravens,” Mathis said to the paper. “I think it’s a good fit.”
Perhaps not Issue No. 3 -- the Eagles still need a backup running back, some safety help and maybe another reserve quarterback -- but whether the team will be able to work out an extension with running back LeSean McCoy has gone near the top of the list now that Jackson has his new contract.
Roseman was asked about The Inquirer report that the Eagles and McCoy are already negotiating.
"We don't talk about our contract negotiations with any player," Roseman said. "I'll just confirm our belief that he's a great player and we hope to have him in Philadelphia for a long time."
There's a reason those LBs are still available....not a good LB crop for free-agency this year.— JimG- True, and most teams already have good linebackers because they value the position, unlike the Eagles.
— ej610 - Seriously? Lofton is a 25 year old middle linebacker who was 5th in the league in tackles last year. Tulloch was second in the league in tackles in 2010 (the last time he played behind a Jim Washburn D-Line) and is like 27. How is this not a good LB crop? who do you want, patrick willis? — jfd6812
- Just remember that the few dozen negative comments you read in the sports section are from a sad and tiny minority of negadelphians, WIPers, and poser trolls with nothing better to do in their sad lonely pathetic lives.
- How true Johnny how true. Notice it's the same small group who must live on here. Sad indeed.
- They don't need to break the bank on Evan Mathis. Howard Mudd may think that Julian Vandervelde can become a good player. Mudd has developed several mid and late round picks into good players throughout the years. Also, I think they like Dion Lewis as a #2 RB.— soulman386
- @JimG: True, but the names being mentioned are upgrades over what we have, and the Eagles wouldn't pay big bucks for a Ray Lewis-in-his-prime LB even if one was available.— Only in Philly...
- Maybe we should scrap LBs all together and go with 7 defensive linemen. That should at least get rid of the big holes between our linemen! Our weaknesses at LB and safety need to be addressed or it will be a long season. How many years do we need to go without good LBs? Reminds me of the years of Torance Small, James Thrash, and some other stiff at WR, when fans were begging for upgrades. At least we only spent one year without a FB and only one year without a return game (when we had the Olympic Ski runt returning kicks). Andy is always smarter that all of us, so look out for the 7-man d-line!— Dish
- Soulman, I agree that Lewis can be a solid #2 back; no worries there. I'm intrigued by Brandon Jacobs becoming available, but he might want too much money for Banner's tastes. Too bad; consider the 1-2 punch of McCoy and Jacobs. Then again, Andy doesn't like to run the ball.
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My hope is that the Eagles will take a top linebacker in the draft. I still don't know if Kuechely is the guy, or if he'll even be there when the pick comes up. I'd say take the best one on the board at the time.
— MidStaterUXB - Tulloch in Eagle green looks good to me. Besides he has played for Washburn and in the wide-9 scheme.— NC Eagle Fan
Added to that remember the Eagles signed a guard earlier Mike Gibson to a 2 year contract. Younger and may be cheaper than signing Mathis. Push come to shove, Eagles can always move Herremans back to left guard and draft a right tackle since Vick is left handed the Eagles can afford to see what happens.- "IF" the Eagles are dumb enough to trade Asante, [and I hope to hell they don't]! - they could maybe land Matt Flynn or London Fletcher? This would solve a lot of issues on both sides of the ball. This would give whatever rookie LB time to learn under a proven stud of a ML, or Flynn would be a perfect back-up should Vick not make it through another year.
NO to Jacobs he's a wet blanket!
Go Eagles!— Laughingaloud123 - IF ANDY DONT LIKE TO RUN HE NEEDS SOMEONE TO THROW 2.WE NEED PLAX LINED UP WITH DJ MAC THATS TOUGH TO COVER ALL.AND I DONT KNOW HOW MANY OF YOU EVER HAD A BLOWN OUT KNEE I DID PLAYYING FOOTBALL THE BOY DID A DAM GOOD FOR JUST COMMING BACK, HE IS STILL VERY YOUNG AND CAN PLAY, DONT COUNT HIM OUT.WITH OUT A LB SLOWWING THING UP IN THE MIDDLE ANY NFL SAFTIE ON ANY NFL TEAM WILL GET RAN OVER BY THESE BIG NFL RB— tjangellove
- With Shady having an ALL PRO year last season, the EAGLES were one of the top running teams in the league! Perhaps you should try doing some research before commenting.
- Ashante is as good as gone if the right deal comes along. Eagles can't afford that kind of money in one position. Namdie is making a lot, Ashante is making a lot and they will probably extend DRC but they are honoring the contract he had with Arizona. I hope Detroit and Philly do a sign and trade with Ashante and Tulloch. Detroit gave monster money to Johnson and lost a corner to Tampa. Makes since for Detroit to sign Tulloch to what the Eagles are offering for him then trade for Ashate. Maybe Eagles can offer one of those 6th round picks they collect like stamps to sweeten the deal.
