Howie: Opportunity, not cash, drives late free-agency signings

BOCA RATON, Fla. --- We are approaching the point where a team's focus shifts from free agency to the draft, Howie Roseman noted, as the Eagles' de facto general manager took a break from the NFL Meetings at the Boca Raton Resort to speak with reporters Monday morning. Unsigned veterans remain on the picked-over market, though the big-money deals have long since been inked.

"It's kind of a natural breaking point,' said Roseman, who said the organization is "really kicking into high gear, in terms of draft preparation."

At the same time, "we're looking to add depth. We're building," Roseman said. He has addressed the defensive backfield, the offensive line, quarterbacking, linebacking and wide receiving in free agency so far.

"Slow," Roseman said, when asked to describe the state of free agency in late March. "Kind of grinding to a halt, because everyone's here, and you're talking about this transition that goes on now where everyone's really going to start focusing all their efforts on the college group. But there's still some guys out there. Our pro department, led by (senior director of pro personnel) Lou Clark and (director of pro scouting) Dwayne Joseph have done a great job of setting that board and giving us all the names we should look at. We're constantly evaluating where we are and if there are opportunities out there."

The back-and-forth with agents of unsigned players "is very different now," Roseman said, "You're trying to sell opportunity. It's almost -- I equate it to after the draft, where you're trying to recruit and sell, where I think money does a lot of the talking early in the process."

After the draft, teams sign undrafted rookies, usually with the selling point that they have a need at that player's position, there's a clear path to making the team. Veteran free agents still sitting on the curb at this point aren't going to get a lot of money, so their best shot might be to take a one-year deal with a team that clearly has a potential role they might fill, perhaps setting the table for a more lucrative contract next time around.

The Eagles were reported to be in the mix last week for Nick Fairley, the defensive tackle who was drafted 13th overall by the Lions five years ago. Those talks fizzled, and Fairley was reported to be heading to these meetings Monday to meet with the Patriots.

The Eagles are thinner at defensive tackle with Cedric Thornton gone in free agency to Dallas, but Roseman, asked Monday about the deepest position in this draft class, answered "interior defensive line, the defensive tackle group is probably the best that's come out in a long time."

Roseman, whose team could use another starting-quality offensive lineman even after signing free agent Brandon Brooks, said the offensive line draft group also is strong.

"The numbers we have on our board are much greater than we've had the past couple of years," he said.

Roseman said the Eagles probably will carry 11 players combined from the defensive backfield and wide receiver groups.

"You're always looking, because it's much easier to add now than it is in August," Roseman said."