Roseman on Mikell, Asomugha, Jarrett and the draft
Eagles general manager Howie Roseman talked to us about a wide range of issues Tuesday, including outside criticism of Jaiquawn Jarrett’s ability in pass coverage, thoughts on Curtis Marsh and the future of Quintin Mikell. Some of that, which didn’t fit into today’s story, is below.
Roseman on Mikell, Asomugha, Jarrett and the draft
Jonathan Tamari
Eagles general manager Howie Roseman talked to us about a wide range of issues Tuesday, including outside criticism of Jaiquawn Jarrett’s ability in pass coverage, thoughts on Curtis Marsh and the future of Quintin Mikell. Some of that, which didn’t fit into today’s story, is below.
For the most part, though, our focus was the draft, how he decided on Danny Watkins and whether the Eagles tried to move up in the first round, specifically to get Prince Amukamara, who fell all the way to the Giants at 19.
What emerged was Roseman’s telling of how the draft came together, which I wrote about today. We thought it was worthwhile to get the perspective of one of the team’s top decision makers, even though it comes with an obvious pro-Eagles gloss.
It wasn’t surprising that Roseman talked about how much the team liked Watkins all along. What would have been stunning would have been if he, or any GM, said, ‘actually, we really liked this other guy but couldn’t trade up and so we settled.’
Still, that doesn’t mean Roseman doesn’t like the Watkins pick. He made a convincing case, to me at least, that if the Eagles were going to choose at 23, they were thrilled to have the Baylor guard.
“That doesn’t mean there weren’t other guys that we really liked in this draft, but we were really excited to get him with our 23rd pick,” Roseman said.
What was less clear was how hard the Eagles pursued a move up in the first round, to either get Amukamara or one of the pass rushing defensive ends that came off the board. I think you can be pretty sure that the team, which loves to make moves, at least poked around to find out what the going price was for a higher pick. It can be true that the Eagles liked Watkins at 23 (which Roseman said) and also true that they checked into moving up (which he was less clear about).
“You always look into what things would cost to get up there, but we felt very comfortable,” picking at 23, Roseman said.
Which could mean one of several things:
-- the Eagles tried to move up and couldn’t find a willing trade partner
-- the Eagles looked into moving up and decided they liked Watkins and their full complement of later picks better than the guys in the 15 to 22 range -- which would imply that they weren't enamored with any of the guys there, including Amukamara.
Getting anyone in the organization to say this close to draft day that they tried to move up is unlikely: it would require them saying they attempted a move and failed, and send a signal that Watkins was a fall back option.
“We felt comfortable where we were in the draft about getting a good player (Watkins) and we really liked having the flexibility of having a bunch of these picks,” later, Roseman said.
On other issues:
Roseman on the questions about Jarrett’s speed and ability to cover NFL receivers:
“He’s got a great feel for routes, so he’s positioning himself where that’s not an issue. You didn’t see it on the field.”
There’s a lot of debate about whether Jarrett could have been had later. It all hinges on how he plays. If he turns out to be great, no one will complain that Roseman should have waited until round 3 or 4 to pull the trigger – fans will just be happy to have him on their side. If he plays poorly, the mistake will be magnified.
On Mikell’s future:
When we asked about safety, Roseman listed every player at the position – naming Jarrett, Nate Allen, Kurt Coleman, Colt Anderson and even Jamar Adams – before he got around to talking about Mikell.
“Obviously at some point he’s going to be a free agent, and when you have an opportunity to get a player that’s the best available player at that position, that’s something that we just felt we had to do,” Roseman said. “We have a lot of respect for Quintin Mikell as a player and as a person.”
But it didn’t sound like they have much interest in keeping him on the team.
On Curtis Marsh and his relative inexperience at cornerback, having just moved to the position in 2009:
“You don’t watch the tape of Curtis Marsh and feel like this is a guy who’s not an experienced player.”
While the Eagles passed on Miami corner Brandon Harris, considered small for the position, Roseman said Marsh has “prototypical height, speed, athletic ability, length.”
“You put on the tape and he’s got a feel for the game … it’s hard to get corners in any round that can do that sort of thing.”
On potentially spending big money for Nnamdi Asomugha, with the team already paying a big salary to fellow cornerback Asante Samuel:
“Everything’s a trade off. If you’re going to put a lot of resources at a particular position, then obviously you’re not going to be as strong elsewhere. You’ve just to go think about your team and think about what your priorities are.”
Whatta piece!
I am now enlightened ... NOT.— CarpGuy- zzzz...another off-season of question marks, potential, and what-ifs. Wake me up when we lose in the 1st or 2nd round of the playoffs next year because we didn't address our needs in the off-season.— DennyP
- zzzz...another off-season of question marks, potential, and what-ifs. Wake me up when we lose in the 1st or 2nd round of the playoffs next year because we didn't address our needs in the off-season.— DennyP
- putting Nnamdi and Asante together would be the best thing the Eagles have ever done in free agency for a long time. The 2 would be nightmares for quaterback and the eagles would hardly to never get beat deep. Go out and get Nnamdi the 1st day free agency starts and if not, they are multiple reports that have the cardinals being agressive for a QB like Kolb so maybee they would trade Patrick Peterson for Kolb straight up. If some way the Eagles get Patrick Peterson, I would still go out and get Nnamdi because Peterson could be the replacement for Asante down the road. Think about Peterson, Nnamdi and Asante all on the same team together.— briandawkins20
- I have this ever-growing sensation that the lockout is going to lifted any hour now, and we will trade Kevin for a 1st rd pick and a starter, and we'll sign NNNNamdi, and ... it could just be some gas.— tommy_the_k
- I had the same sensation, but it passed. — birdseed
- Howie has learned the Reid double speak well....and I guess that is why this non-football Joe Banner geek got the job......and nothing relly matters till free agency and training camp...at this point it is jsut bs....— nuggett
- About what you would expect him to say a few days after the draft. I don't understand why the same questions are asked regarding free agents when no one is allowed to discuss any names.— billro33
Comment removed.- "we have the best roster in the league and we feel like we can compete for the Super Bowl."— section707
- Seemed like most of their first few picks could've been had later. It's one thing to stick to your draft board. But if everyone else has a guy pegged as a 4th rounder and you have him as a 2nd, it doesn't mean you have to take the guy in the second.— stikolaboloni
- Good answer on Asomugha. You don't break the bank, to the tune of $15 million, for a very good CB. Pay that money, and it had better be Brady or Manning.
Long before the Eagles drafted him, Curtis Marsh looked like one of the best guys after Round 1. We'll know in a couple years if he's truly an NFL corner. Some of the fans act like the top brass has done nothing to address cornerback. His name was Trevard Lindley, from Kentucky. This year we'll find out if they're right.— armchairGM - The defense is still mediocre at best and now has a rookie coordinator. Even if they get a great corner, the pass rush is weak. Reid hasn't drafted a good pass rusher other than Trent Cole (an excellent 5th round pick). The season will come down to how well they protect Vick and how well he executes. Reid has a way of getting them on a nice roll towards the latter part of the season but I don't think they'll really go too far. I hope I'm wrong.— Ballgame
- The more Howie Roseman talks, the less he seems to know about drafting quality NFL Players. Until they get a true football/personnel man running the draft, in the mold of Bill Polian or even Scott Pioli, they will never get beyond where they are now and that's a 9 or 10 win team, get to the playoffs once in awhile as a division winner or wild card team, and get beat in the first round. Andy must go, and he must take the rest of the front office with him. It won't happen, but it needs to, for this franchise to ever win a Super Bowl.— jimloughery
- We need Asomugha. That gives the D-line another second and makes opposing QB second guess, that's all they need.— NC Eagle Fan
