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Eagles GM Roseman still working hard

Just because the draft is over, that doesn't mean that Howie Roseman can go on vacation. In the midst of one of the busiest Eagles off-seasons in recent memory - 39 new faces have been added - the general manager said Tuesday that there is always time to acquire more players, even if most of the 2010 roster is in place.

"There's opportunity at every position to keep getting better, " Howie Roseman said. (Michael S. Wirtz/Staff file photo)
"There's opportunity at every position to keep getting better, " Howie Roseman said. (Michael S. Wirtz/Staff file photo)Read more

Just because the draft is over, that doesn't mean that Howie Roseman can go on vacation.

In the midst of one of the busiest Eagles off-seasons in recent memory - 39 new faces have been added - the general manager said Tuesday that there is always time to acquire more players, even if most of the 2010 roster is in place.

"We discussed this all along," Roseman said. "We don't play until September. There's opportunity at every position to keep getting better. But we do feel comfortable with what we have."

That may qualify as reassuring news for those who feel the Eagles failed to address two pressing needs through free agency or the draft - at cornerback and on the offensive line. This first minicamp, which begins Friday, will give coach Andy Reid a better idea on whether he needs Roseman to fetch him some better players at those positions.

Although a significant addition during the spring is unlikely, the Eagles have brought in players during the summer who have contributed. Last year, defensive end Jason Babin, quarterback Michael Vick, defensive tackle Antonio Dixon, and tight end Alex Smith joined the team during that period.

The backups, however, were not the main problem last season. Because of injuries or attrition, the Eagles still have question marks at several starting positions.

The most urgent may be at right cornerback, where Sheldon Brown was a fixture for seven seasons. When Brown was dealt to Cleveland earlier this month, the Eagles said that Ellis Hobbs would be his replacement. Hobbs suffered a season-ending neck injury last year.

The Eagles did not acquire another cornerback before the draft and waited until the fourth round to select Trevard Lindley, a 5-foot-11, 183-pound defensive back out of Kentucky.

Helping the pass rush

Because they place an emphasis on their pass rush more than anything in their defensive scheme, the Eagles had made drafting a defensive end a priority. They traded up from No. 24 to 13th to grab Michigan's Brandon Graham in the first round.

Several quality cornerbacks were available late in the first round, but the Eagles were unable to trade up, according to one team source.

"I think there were few corners at the top that were really good players, and after that . . . our board dropped off," Roseman said.

Instead, the Eagles took South Florida safety Nate Allen with the fifth pick in the second round. It's possible that he could move to cornerback.

"I think that does make you feel better when you add him to the group of our corners," Roseman said, also mentioning two other safeties the Eagles consider hybrids, Macho Harris and Marlin Jackson.

If Hobbs or left cornerback Asante Samuel falters or gets hurt, the Eagles have depth. Along with Allen, Harris, and Jackson, there are corners Joselio Hanson, Dimitri Patterson, and Lindley.

The Eagles' decision not to draft an offensive lineman was much more elementary: There wasn't much talent available after their first two picks, Roseman said. But it will remain to be seen if the line - shorthanded as center Jamaal Jackson recovers from knee surgery - can survive without off-season reinforcements.

In the Eagles' only noteworthy moves on the line, they released tackle/guard Shawn Andrews and cut his older brother Stacy's pay, giving him the starting right guard spot.

"We probably feel less bare than the outside perception is," Roseman said.

The Eagles spent the majority of the off-season remaking their defense. They obtained four players via free agency or trade, and expended nine of their 13 draft picks on defensive players.

The Eagles' roster now has nine linebackers. In seasons past, they've carried as few as five at that position. When final cuts are announced in September, there are sure to be several veterans on the chopping block at linebacker and at other spots.

"We just wanted to provide competition at every spot on our offense and defense," Roseman said, "and we thought that competition would bring out the best in all our players."

Extra points

The Eagles added three more undrafted rookies, signing West Texas A&M running back Keithon Flemming, Miami defensive end Eric Moncur, and Arizona cornerback Devin Ross. The team also announced it claimed guard Shawn Murphy off waivers from Tampa Bay. The 6-foot-4, 315-pound Murphy, a fourth-round pick of the Dolphins in 2008, is the son of former Phillies and Braves outfielder Dale Murphy.

Stewart Bradley told the team's Web site that doctors have cleared him to practice this weekend. The middle linebacker is recovering from a torn anterior cruciate ligament suffered during training camp last summer. . . . At this juncture, the Eagles aren't bringing quarterback Jeff Garcia back, according to a team source. . . . Former Eagles quarterback Donovan McNabb will continue to hold his children's football clinic in the Philadelphia area when he hosts the June 12 affair at the Memorial Sports Complex in Marlton, Burlington County. For more information, go online to DonovanMcNabbKidsClinic.com.