Jeffrey Lurie shares reasons on why he likes Carson Wentz

PHOENIX - Jeffrey Lurie "couldn't be more excited" about the direction of the Eagles, and the reason is because Carson Wentz is his quarterback. In his first public comments in a year, the Eagles owner focused on all that it took for the Eagles to acquire Wentz last year and how promising Wentz appeared in his rookie season.

"I give ours guys a tremendous amount of credit for identifying a very special player and person and athlete who has a lot of the ingredients we're looking for," Lurie said Tuesday at the NFL meetings. "We made the move, and the rest is history, and we'll all see how it all plays out over the years, because you never know. You don't fool yourself into thinking you have something until it all happens and it all gets put together."

Lurie was careful not to anoint Wentz, noting that it has only been one year. But he identified four reasons why he's so bullish on Wentz.

It started with the physical talent, which Lurie said is "pretty obvious." The second was personality and leadership ability, which Lurie said is "special." The third factor was the football intelligence and "obsession to be really good," which upon critical analysis, Lurie said is present. And the final factor is Wentz's "impressive" way with teammates to use humility and hard work to endear himself in the locker room.

"He's got that," Lurie said. "Can he stay healthy? Can he continue to grow? Can he perform as we go forward the way the curve should go? It's a hope. That's all it is. It's a hope."

Lurie's excitement came not only from the way Wentz played, but how the Eagles acquired him. One year ago at the league meetings, the Eagles were drafting No. 8 with Sam Bradford and Chase Daniel as their quarterbacks. Lurie said he and executive Howie Roseman thought "identically" about the need for a franchise quarterback. When they sat down after firing Chip Kelly, they asked where they are without a quarterback. They agreed that they could "figure out a way" to reach 10-6, similar to the team that lost in the first round in the playoffs to the Saints in the 2013-14 season.

"But we were both mutually obsessed if the time came where there was a quarterback, we'd be willing to do a lot," Lurie said.

They focused on Wentz. Lurie called it a "very detailed, involved process" that could make for a book one day. It included several workouts, physiological and medical testing, and 80 pages of reports. They tried acquiring the No. 1 pick from the Tennessee Titans before the Los Angeles Rams reached a deal, and Lurie said a key part about trading to No. 2 was knowing with near certainty that Wentz would not go to the Rams.

When they determined that Wentz was able to play as a rookie - Lurie shared the anecdote of the coaching staff's effusive praise after a workout before third preseason game - they were willing to trade Sam Bradford. But Lurie insisted that the key to the Bradford trade was the way the contract was structured. He again credited Roseman. By convincing Bradford to sign a two-year deal, Lurie said Bradford became a more attractive trade option. He compared it to buying a draft pick. They could not have foreseen Teddy Bridgewater getting injured and the Minnesota Vikings sacrificing a first-round pick, but the net result was acquiring Wentz for two mid-round picks.

"If this all turned out how we hoped, that's the story of the past year," Lurie said. "If Carson's what we think he is, that's the story - how do you do it?"

So the task now is to build around Wentz. Lurie does not want to get overconfident, but admitted "all the ingredients are there with Carson" and the Eagles must maintain a "very patient, disciplined approach." That includes avoiding "short-term solutions," although he doesn't believe signing Alshon Jeffery to a one-year contract fits into that category. And it requires multiple good drafts, which is why he touted Joe Douglas' arrival in the front office as a "pivotal" decision last offseason. Douglas is responsible for setting the board, and Roseman makes the final decision on draft picks. By drafting well to surround a quarterback, Lurie said the Eagles would hit on the right formula.

"It's not that complicated," Lurie said. "It's hard to accomplish."

After years of questions about organizational structure and shifting power between different people and positions, Lurie insisted it's really the quarterback that matters. That position can transcend who makes the decisions, who's in the front office, and who's on the sideline.

"The best structure is to have a terrific quarterback," Lurie said. "You can then rationalize any structure you want. . . . No. 1, you have to start with getting that quarterback."

Lurie said the Eagles' proposal for alternate helmets was about wearing Kelly green uniforms. He wants the Eagles to wear Kelly green as their alternate and Thursday night outfits, but they need league approval for alternate helmets. The Eagles withdraw the proposal after feedback from the competition committee that it would not pass. He hopes they can pass it by March 2018. . . . Lurie said he does not think the Eagles will appear on HBO's Hard Knocks this season. They are among the teams eligible to appear on the program.

zberman@phillynews.com

@ZBerm