Howie Upbeat on DeSean; Edwards Added
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Howie Upbeat on DeSean; Edwards Added
Les Bowen
INDIANAPOLIS -- Eagles general manager Howie Roseman didn't say he expects to apply the franchise tag or reach contract agreement on a long-term deal with wideout DeSean Jackson, but Roseman did indicate optimism today, when he was asked about Jackson's situation during a media session at the NFL Scouting Combine.
"We're excited about the future of DeSean Jackson in Philadelphia," Roseman said.
Later, when Roseman met with Philadelphia-area reporters off to the side, Roseman was told that his words from the podium probably were going to be viewed as optimistic.
"I'm an optimistic guy," Roseman said. Asked if he intends to meet with Jackson's agent, Drew Rosenhaus, while both men are in Indianapolis this week, Roseman said: "I expect to meet with a lot of representatives of players on our team."
Roseman spoke of wanting to sit down with Jackson and his agent; asked about that in the side session, he said he wants to make sure Eagles players are getting the team's message "from us, not through the media."
In fact, the Eagles have been frustrated in the past by what they feel is an incomplete or inaccurate picture of what they've offered as it travels from the agent to the player. Pretty savvy of Howie to blame the media instead of calling out Rosenhaus directly.
Roseman also indicated the Eagles expected to sign former Bills quarterback Trent Edwards to compete for a spot on the roster. Sure enough, a few hours later the Eagles announced they had agreed to terms with the former Buffalo starter to a one-year deal. Edwards, 28, was cut by the Raiders after training camp last fall. He was a third-round Bills pick out of Stanford in 2007.
The move might indicate the team, which retains backup Mike Kafka, isn't planning on drafting a quarterback this year. Obviously, Vince Young is moving on. Of course, the Eagles could still draft a QB and have Edwards and Kafka compete for the veteran backup spot.
More Howie highlights:
*Roseman echoed other talent evaluators here in saying he feels the offensive line might be the strongest position grouping in the 2012 draft. He said defensive end is a relative weak spot.
*Asked how likely it is that corner Asante Samuel remains an Eagle in 2012, Roseman called Samuel "a big-time playmaker who handles everything like a pro ... we're fortunate to have him as an Eagle.' Which, of course, wasn't the question.
*Roseman indicated the Eagles are very interested in re-signing pending free agent defensive tackle Derek Landri and guard Evan Mathis, but he said that since those players signed one-year deals for the veteran minimum last year, the Birds must wait until free agency begins March 13 to re-sign them. He said rules prohibt them from getting reworked contracts during the league year they are playing under the veteran minimum. Mathis saw on twitter that Roseman had said this and promptly tweeted that he and Landri were headed to the Arena League Allen Wranglers. (He was joking.)
*As he has done in several appearances lately, Roseman talked about still having great expectations for defensive end Brandon Graham. Graham spent much of the season coming back from his 2010 ACL tear, as Jason Pierre-Paul, taken by the Giants two slots later in the 2010 draft, developed into the dominant key to a Super Bowl championship.
It could be a smoke screen to help them get a good trade offer for Desean after they franchise him. Perhaps Cleveland will offer their 2nd round pick. If the Browns get RG3 with their 1st rounder and Desean with their 2nd rounder that would go a long way to help their franchise. The Browns GM was here when Desean got drafted so he probably holds Desean in high regard.— soulman386- All I have to do is offer two nickels instead of one Nickel as my grandmother used to say.
Signed Howie Roseman!— eaglessuck@life - "Trent Edwards to compete for a spot on the roster"
That should bring joy to the hearts of all Eagles fans.
— SteveS11 - The Eagles and Andy Reid want Desean here, it's time to get over it and find another dead horse to beat.— Eaglehaslanded
- Howie is jsut a mouthpeice for the real GM Joe Banner....and all his words are jsut smoke....If we are lucky, they sign him long term...If he is lucky he is released, gets a 3 year deal and plays for a winning franchise....Thanks Joe and Howie and Jeffery....your football knowledge belongs in your fantasy football league.....and unfortuantely you think it translates to the real world of the NFL— nuggett
- @Eaglehaslanded, tell these haters again! TELL 'EM!! Stop whining about what Desean did or did not do last year, what his stats were or were not and get ready to clap your hands for our All World WR, #10, Deseeeeeeeeeeeeeeean JACKSON!!! here to stay! YEAH! Go Eagles!!!!— Panthro2011
- 7-9 next year, book it.— jimmymack
- Desean 2011 season was NOT filled with memoriable moments, in fact what I remember most is his campy pout. The Eagles have not beenstorng on re-signing players that sulk and mouth off to the media. Good bye DeSean.— unbelieveable!
- Tell you every year for the last 7 years as long as Reid is there that equals lost season again! have fun!— losteagle
- Vince Young -- the worst qb ever to beat the eventual SB champions— warbiscuit
- When Red talks and evades the press he's a jerk. When Howie expresses enthusiasm, he's a "mouthpiece". Is there never any time when the folks here just shut up a listen. They want #10 back. Can't be clearer. Trent E gets a try-out. Can't be more straighforward. #10 is a man-child and we can only hope he grows up before retirement. If not his agent will help him into the same financial situation that he helped TO get into.— jjthree
- It's time to trade DeSean. He disappears in the red zone, happy or unhappy. He also loses the ball a couple times per year with stupid plays showing off. He was oone of the league leaders in drops. So they need to get a red zone receiver first, then another speedy receiver. Then we can live without DeSean.— ml307n
- Christ obviously no one outside of Buffalo watch's Bills games (NO OFFENSE WAY TO GO BUFFALO)! WAY TO GO WHEN THEY GOT RID OF THIS PIECE OF SHIET! Edwards sucks worse than Vince Young! Garcia would climb off the Playboy Bunny 4 the price of a phone call! SUPER BOWL CONTENDERS DO NOT SIGN A PLAYER THAT COULD NOT BE A BACKUP ON A CRAPPY TEAM (NO OFFENSE WAY TO GO BUFFALO)!— ivewaitedthislong
- Here is the Eagles Plan For DeSean.
Go find the best deal that you can(50m) or come back here for this(40m).
Same thing they said to Dawk.— dmanphilly 
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