Roseman on LBs: 'We're looking'
Philly.com, Inquirer, and Daily News coverage of the Eagles
Roseman on LBs: 'We're looking'
Jeff McLane
Howie Roseman met with reporters today to talk about the contract he and the Eagles hammered out with DeSean Jackson, but there are still a number of unresolved issues for the team with free agency just two days old.
No. 1: Why haven't they yet signed a linebacker -- a position they obviously need to upgrade at -- and do they plan on addressing that need through free agency?
"I think we're looking at some things," Roseman said. "We're probably being a little more patient, which has really been our M.O. in free agency. It just so happened that last year was such a different dynamic that we had to knock out a bunch of things quickly."
The way the market has unfolded for free agent linebackers hasn't necessarily forced the Eagles to get something done right away. The top inside 4-3 linebackers available -- Curtis Lofton, Stephen Tulloch and David Hawthorne -- remained unsigned.
There was some clatter about Lofton signing with Tampa Bay but that never came to fruition. Hawthorne is scheduled to visit the Saints. The Panthers' Dan Connor is in Dallas right now. (UPDATE: Connor signed a contract with the Cowboys Thursday afternoon.) The Redskins' London Fletcher hasn't gotten a sniff.
While teams are snatching up a number of wide receivers and cornerbacks, there are still a number of quality linebackers out there.
"It always goes that way in the free agent market," Roseman said. "You see a couple of positions get hot and then everybody jumps on them because they don't want lose out. And, I think, it'll be almost like the draft. Once one signs maybe you'll start seeing them all knocked out."
Issue No. 2 for the Eagles pertains to one of their own unrestricted free agents, Evan Mathis. The guard is currently visiting with the Ravens. The Redskins and Colts are reportedly also interested in the 30-year old. With former Ravens guard Ben Grubbs signing with the Saints, Baltimore may bolt their doors to keep Mathis from leaving without a signed deal.
"That's the dangers of free agency," Roseman said. "It's a big boy sport right there. You have that risk when players get to free agency that you're going to lose them. You're aware of that and we hope Evan Mathis remains a Philadelphia Eagle, but obviously when you're on the open market things happen."
Roseman was then asked if the Eagles were prepared to do whatever it took to keep Mathis, who helped solidify an offensive line that was collectively the team's best in years.
"Whatever it takes, that's a very powerful statement," Roseman said. "We like Evan back and we're in constant communication with his representatives."
Mathis left the Ravens’ facility this afternoon without a deal, but he's having dinner with team officials tonight, according to the Carroll County Times, and is staying in Baltimore until Friday. “It was a good meeting with the Ravens,” Mathis said to the paper. “I think it’s a good fit.”
Perhaps not Issue No. 3 -- the Eagles still need a backup running back, some safety help and maybe another reserve quarterback -- but whether the team will be able to work out an extension with running back LeSean McCoy has gone near the top of the list now that Jackson has his new contract.
Roseman was asked about The Inquirer report that the Eagles and McCoy are already negotiating.
"We don't talk about our contract negotiations with any player," Roseman said. "I'll just confirm our belief that he's a great player and we hope to have him in Philadelphia for a long time."
Comments (59)
There's a reason those LBs are still available....not a good LB crop for free-agency this year.— JimG- True, and most teams already have good linebackers because they value the position, unlike the Eagles.
— ej610 - Seriously? Lofton is a 25 year old middle linebacker who was 5th in the league in tackles last year. Tulloch was second in the league in tackles in 2010 (the last time he played behind a Jim Washburn D-Line) and is like 27. How is this not a good LB crop? who do you want, patrick willis? — jfd6812
- Just remember that the few dozen negative comments you read in the sports section are from a sad and tiny minority of negadelphians, WIPers, and poser trolls with nothing better to do in their sad lonely pathetic lives.
- How true Johnny how true. Notice it's the same small group who must live on here. Sad indeed.
- They don't need to break the bank on Evan Mathis. Howard Mudd may think that Julian Vandervelde can become a good player. Mudd has developed several mid and late round picks into good players throughout the years. Also, I think they like Dion Lewis as a #2 RB.— soulman386
- @JimG: True, but the names being mentioned are upgrades over what we have, and the Eagles wouldn't pay big bucks for a Ray Lewis-in-his-prime LB even if one was available.— Only in Philly...
- Maybe we should scrap LBs all together and go with 7 defensive linemen. That should at least get rid of the big holes between our linemen! Our weaknesses at LB and safety need to be addressed or it will be a long season. How many years do we need to go without good LBs? Reminds me of the years of Torance Small, James Thrash, and some other stiff at WR, when fans were begging for upgrades. At least we only spent one year without a FB and only one year without a return game (when we had the Olympic Ski runt returning kicks). Andy is always smarter that all of us, so look out for the 7-man d-line!— Dish
- Soulman, I agree that Lewis can be a solid #2 back; no worries there. I'm intrigued by Brandon Jacobs becoming available, but he might want too much money for Banner's tastes. Too bad; consider the 1-2 punch of McCoy and Jacobs. Then again, Andy doesn't like to run the ball.
--
My hope is that the Eagles will take a top linebacker in the draft. I still don't know if Kuechely is the guy, or if he'll even be there when the pick comes up. I'd say take the best one on the board at the time.
— MidStaterUXB - Tulloch in Eagle green looks good to me. Besides he has played for Washburn and in the wide-9 scheme.— NC Eagle Fan
Added to that remember the Eagles signed a guard earlier Mike Gibson to a 2 year contract. Younger and may be cheaper than signing Mathis. Push come to shove, Eagles can always move Herremans back to left guard and draft a right tackle since Vick is left handed the Eagles can afford to see what happens.- "IF" the Eagles are dumb enough to trade Asante, [and I hope to hell they don't]! - they could maybe land Matt Flynn or London Fletcher? This would solve a lot of issues on both sides of the ball. This would give whatever rookie LB time to learn under a proven stud of a ML, or Flynn would be a perfect back-up should Vick not make it through another year.
NO to Jacobs he's a wet blanket!
Go Eagles!— Laughingaloud123 - IF ANDY DONT LIKE TO RUN HE NEEDS SOMEONE TO THROW 2.WE NEED PLAX LINED UP WITH DJ MAC THATS TOUGH TO COVER ALL.AND I DONT KNOW HOW MANY OF YOU EVER HAD A BLOWN OUT KNEE I DID PLAYYING FOOTBALL THE BOY DID A DAM GOOD FOR JUST COMMING BACK, HE IS STILL VERY YOUNG AND CAN PLAY, DONT COUNT HIM OUT.WITH OUT A LB SLOWWING THING UP IN THE MIDDLE ANY NFL SAFTIE ON ANY NFL TEAM WILL GET RAN OVER BY THESE BIG NFL RB— tjangellove
- With Shady having an ALL PRO year last season, the EAGLES were one of the top running teams in the league! Perhaps you should try doing some research before commenting.
- Ashante is as good as gone if the right deal comes along. Eagles can't afford that kind of money in one position. Namdie is making a lot, Ashante is making a lot and they will probably extend DRC but they are honoring the contract he had with Arizona. I hope Detroit and Philly do a sign and trade with Ashante and Tulloch. Detroit gave monster money to Johnson and lost a corner to Tampa. Makes since for Detroit to sign Tulloch to what the Eagles are offering for him then trade for Ashate. Maybe Eagles can offer one of those 6th round picks they collect like stamps to sweeten the deal.
- you cant trade a player for a free agent. You could just trade asante for picks and sign tulloch, being he's a free agent, but you knew that — crohnkiller
- First of all Ashante (Ashanti actaually) is an R & B singer. Asante Samuel is the guy who plays for the Eagles.
- Save the money on a linebacker. Draft Kendricks or Kuechly. Give Mathis an offer.— BigLadd
- Can't do sign and trades in the NFL because of the cap implications of the signing bonuses. Why would we need to trade for Tulloch when he's a FA and we can just sign him? It doesn't make sense.
Eagles could have signed Tulloch last year but didn't think he was worth 3M. I doubt his price went down. Also, If the Eagles can't get at least a 4th for asante, It's because the rest of the league knows he'll be cut and they can sign him without compensating the Eagles or paying him the 10.5M he's due to make this year.— Only in Philly... - My guess is that they've already given Mathis an offer, but his agent wants to see if they can do better elsewhere.— SteveS11
- Only in Philly says,"If the Eagles can't get at least a 4th for asante, It's because the rest of the league knows he'll be cut and they can sign him without compensation. I think Asante would get worn out quick playing for "the rest of the league", LMAO!!!
— Johnnydeagle 
Comment removed.- They've already addressed linebacker, remember? They brought in that guy from San FRan's practice squad and worked out Leber. Moving on...
- You do NOT want Brandon Jacobs. He is the world's biggest ballerina with the diva mentality to go with it. He is big but won't use his size to advantage. He never saw a straight ahead run that he liked. I repeat, you do NOT want Brandon Jacobs.— tpizza
- Having an m.o. of being a little patient is because it takes PeeWee Roseman that long to watch film with King Cartoon.— Astro Jones
- Mathis isn't worth a huge contract. Remember, he was a journeyman before he found a home in Philly. On top of that, this a good draft year for offensive linemen. Now I think we all agree that we'd like him back, but just for the right price. The team has an MLB to sign.— MrMiles1
- does it matter who plays LB? i'm sorry, but so disillusioned with any Andy-run organization. We have no hope until he's gone. Dick frickin Butkus in his prime couldn't save a team that uses all of their time outs in the first 2 minutes of the game and passes on 3rd and inches.— jakeAZ
- I'm sure they'll find one in the 5th round of the draft. And whoever it is would have been available in the 7th.— ej610
- Tpizza, I think i remember brandon jacobs running over nate allen,which was a straight ahead run. Soo... if he comes on the cheap do it, we need a big back for goalline situations or do you want ronnie brown to get tackled and try to throw a pass again back?— rmd2283
- Nate Allen couldn't tackle a quadriplegic. — coloradoeagle
- Howard Mudd will be a big part of our draft this year (as he was with last year's). If Mathis doesn't come back, it would be a sad day, but it also means we got some more money to spend. What we really need is the middle linebacker. This also might be addressed in the draft, but I would prefer going hard for Lofton or preferably Tulloch. Tulloch is asking for a lot, however, and Lofton is most likely not far behind. If we don't come up with either MLB, I expect our first round pick to be Luke Kuechly. Another thing to keep in the back of your mind is McCoy, Maclin, and Rodgers-Cromartie's contracts. If not this year, Asante will be gone next year to make room for these 3 young, vital players.— colahead420
- Howard Mudd will be a big part of our draft this year (as he was with last year's). If Mathis doesn't come back, it would be a sad day, but it also means we got some more money to spend. What we really need is the middle linebacker. This also might be addressed in the draft, but I would prefer going hard for Lofton or preferably Tulloch. Tulloch is asking for a lot, however, and Lofton is most likely not far behind. If we don't come up with either MLB, I expect our first round pick to be Luke Kuechly. Another thing to keep in the back of your mind is McCoy, Maclin, and Rodgers-Cromartie's contracts. If not this year, Asante will be gone next year to make room for these 3 young, vital players.— colahead420
- How do you do the replies where you're tagged to the comment??
Kuechly 2012— BuddyBall92 - Eagles "braintrust" obviously
A. must not have watched the pathetic defense last year
B. are looking through rose colored glassses
C. thought 8-8 was a damn good year
D. would rather talk to the taliban than a good linebacker— sammydelphia - Hawthorne would be a good signing.— ICDogg
- Does not matter who you sign or draft. You still have an OL coach as the defensive coordinator. You still have a bunch of non football people in the front office and you still have a smarter than everybody head coach who can't finish the deal. Depressing!— Ssteve115
- First of all I don't think the Eagles need wholesale changes at linebacker.
What's actually the problem with the young guys is it scheme related or Technique? In either case those defects can be ironed out during off-season work and study.
I would not choose one of the Linebackers available with pick 15 in the Draft. And I don't think it's necessary to bring in a top dollar free agent.
Case being, there wasn't a linebacker on either team in the Super Bowl who was considered a stud. No Linebacker in the Super Bowl would have made the Pro Bowl had they not been playing in the Super Bowl.
Every team with better linebackers were knocked out of the playoffs.
Today it's offenses that win Super Bowl, not defenses.
— Dexter - Dex - I typically agree with what you say but with regards to the LB's I have to disagree. You are right, none of the two Super Bowl teams had superlative linebacker play but both franchises have usually valued the position much better than the Eagles have. While both the Giants and Patriots have relatively young linebackers, like the Eagles, I have more confidence that the coaching staffs for both the Giants and Patriots will in fact "put them in a better position to make plays." For whatever reason AR just does not get it and that lack of vision costs us year after year. — coloradoeagle
- sammydelphia & Ssteve115 - both of your acts are tired. Good news for you guys... Wawa is hiring!
"THE" #1 priority for the Eagles this coming season is keeping their quarterback healthy for sixteen games and into the playoffs. Thus the offensive line is key and resigning E. Mathis will be their priority one. Herremans has already stated that getting him signed should be the first order of business. Add to this the team's new need for a back-up OT, I don't see the Eagles letting Mathis walk without working hard to keep him.
If they do sign a FA Linebacker, look for the team to draft a wide body OT or DT. Coach believes in depth in the trenches - BIG TIME! Would be wonderful to trade up and get Dontari Poe, but that doesn't look possible given the needs of the teams drafting in front of them.
-Go Eagles!— Laughingaloud123 - The strange thing about Mudd on the staff is that how much time does have left in his coaching career? Obviously he's a good coach, but with Eagles now employing his system, and his personal choices, if Andy gets fired at years end, Mudd probably goes. Then they would have a new Oline coach, with his own system. It could be a mess.— watsonmr
- The same day they trade/cut Samuel is the same day they sign a LB, preferably Tulloch. That said, I see them drafting DeCastro in the first round. He'll be the answer at guard for the next ten years. IMO, the make or break of this draft for the Birds is what they do in te second round. I foresee a DT and a CB, best left on the board at both positions.— beegal99
- Now the Jags are entertaining offers for the #7 pick. That said, Eagles could move up by giving them their first, the higher second, and possibly a 3rd/4th round pick. I would if I knew it could land Poe. He'd be a beast playing next to Jenkins and in front of Tulloch.— beegal99
- I feel dumber just for having read some of these posts. Morons— blaqjaq
- i dont know why, but just the sight of howie roseman makes me angry. hes as unlikable as any eagles executive ive ever seen, and he makes joe banner look as charismatic as bill clinton.
— CosmoK - The Eagles keep looking but they have no idea what they are looking for. Howie should be ambulance-chasing or writing variance analysis, not trying to assess NFL-level talent for our supposed NFL franchise. Incompetence rules the day at 1 Novacare Way. Lawyer/Accountant/Capolgist as GM, failed offensive line coach as DC. Draft picks and contract signings based on accounting metrics and not football metrics. And an owner who says that 8-8 is completely unacceptable but does nothing to change the mentality or the culture because he is rich and is content with being almost good enough.— coloradoeagle
- Sign Lofton and put him at Sam for the running downs, Draft Kuechly and put him in the middle for 10 years.... Chaney, Clayton, and Martha Matthews can fight it out for the Will. If she brings her skates...— BuddyBall92
- Roseman: "I think we're looking at some things... We're probably being a little more patient..." Huh?
"It always goes that way in the free agent market. You see a couple of positions get hot and then everybody jumps on them because they don't want to lose out." Right... So what are you waiting for?! A lot of follow up questions begging to be asked...
— Mr. Magee - Sign Lofton or Hawthorn and then Draft Kuechly and you're set for years at LBer! That being said, watch them sign the 35 yr old Leber on the cheap and draft another high motor 255 lb Defensive End (a Bookend for IR Graham) with the 15th pick.— younged
- We are ok...there are plenty of 5-10 195 linebackers out there for us to sign to the league minumum.....they all have "great motors"— SkipinWV
- Mr. Magee, you've done it again. Spot on. The Eagles never work their plan. Their plan is always bass ackwards, developing after they get the player. Why not have a plan and get the player(s)? Obviously, their way doesn't work, hasn't worked...so it will not work.— beegal99
- Short term fix London Fletcher draft kuechly long term if not there at 15 trade down take next best inside linebacker. Sign Burris, and Mike Selllers fb. Rest of draft look to fill reserve holes o line & dbacks.— cvbaynum
- Comment removed.
London Fletcher is still my top choice in the Free Agent LB market...Very FEW if Any... Patrick Willis type players in Free Agency or the Draft. MUCH PROPS... RESPECT to Andy and the Front Office team, just loving how they deal...Howie, Joe Banner and Jeffery Laurie their philosophy of playing it close to the vest... ESPECIALLY this time of year. UNPREDICTABLY... focused their efforts this off-season on resigning our own. EXCELLENT... DJax, Bigg Todd, The Hunter TC. It amazes me in this day N.F.L the excellent job Joe Banner has done keeping my Eagles Ever-ready to compete year in year out... without Cap Hindrances. Resigning our talent by recognizing and rewarding player performance... An excellent example of A Gold Standard by my boys. E.A.G.L.E.S.- We need a great LB a lot more than we need Ashante. He's decent but he's go to go.— warrentheape
- Comment removed.
- The Eagles need to upgrade their LB'S and it does'nt matter who they get. Upgrade the position.— jwalker1
- Comment removed.
- The Eagles are "looking at some things" with proven, veteran, pro-bowl caliber Linebackers right in front of their eyes here in free agebcy (see above). Perhaps this is because they do not know what a proven, veteran, pro-bowl caliber linebacker looks like. Just a thought,,,,,,,— phillyroni
- Kamerion Wembley— despy22nd
1
Classifieds:
Site Services:
Partners:
Powered By:
