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."
- you cant trade a player for a free agent. You could just trade asante for picks and sign tulloch, being he's a free agent, but you knew that
— crohnkiller - First of all Ashante (Ashanti actaually) is an R & B singer. Asante Samuel is the guy who plays for the Eagles.
- Save the money on a linebacker. Draft Kendricks or Kuechly. Give Mathis an offer.— BigLadd
- Can't do sign and trades in the NFL because of the cap implications of the signing bonuses. Why would we need to trade for Tulloch when he's a FA and we can just sign him? It doesn't make sense.
Eagles could have signed Tulloch last year but didn't think he was worth 3M. I doubt his price went down. Also, If the Eagles can't get at least a 4th for asante, It's because the rest of the league knows he'll be cut and they can sign him without compensating the Eagles or paying him the 10.5M he's due to make this year.— Only in Philly... - My guess is that they've already given Mathis an offer, but his agent wants to see if they can do better elsewhere.— SteveS11
- Only in Philly says,"If the Eagles can't get at least a 4th for asante, It's because the rest of the league knows he'll be cut and they can sign him without compensation. I think Asante would get worn out quick playing for "the rest of the league", LMAO!!!
— Johnnydeagle 
Comment removed.- They've already addressed linebacker, remember? They brought in that guy from San FRan's practice squad and worked out Leber. Moving on...
- You do NOT want Brandon Jacobs. He is the world's biggest ballerina with the diva mentality to go with it. He is big but won't use his size to advantage. He never saw a straight ahead run that he liked. I repeat, you do NOT want Brandon Jacobs.— tpizza
- Having an m.o. of being a little patient is because it takes PeeWee Roseman that long to watch film with King Cartoon.— Astro Jones
- Mathis isn't worth a huge contract. Remember, he was a journeyman before he found a home in Philly. On top of that, this a good draft year for offensive linemen. Now I think we all agree that we'd like him back, but just for the right price. The team has an MLB to sign.— MrMiles1
- does it matter who plays LB? i'm sorry, but so disillusioned with any Andy-run organization. We have no hope until he's gone. Dick frickin Butkus in his prime couldn't save a team that uses all of their time outs in the first 2 minutes of the game and passes on 3rd and inches.— jakeAZ
- I'm sure they'll find one in the 5th round of the draft. And whoever it is would have been available in the 7th.— ej610
- Tpizza, I think i remember brandon jacobs running over nate allen,which was a straight ahead run. Soo... if he comes on the cheap do it, we need a big back for goalline situations or do you want ronnie brown to get tackled and try to throw a pass again back?— rmd2283
- Nate Allen couldn't tackle a quadriplegic. — coloradoeagle
