Eagles interview Steelers scout for personnel post

MOBILE, Ala. - The Eagles interviewed Steelers pro scout coordinator Brandon Hunt for their top personnel vacancy this week at the Senior Bowl, an NFL source said.

Steelers president Art Rooney told Pittsburgh reporters that his team granted the Eagles permission to talk with the 35-year-old Hunt. The scout met with Eagles owner Jeffrey Lurie and vice president of football operations Howie Roseman on Wednesday.

Lurie announced last week that the Eagles would begin their search for a "personnel head." It's unclear what title the scout will hold and what kind of authority he will have. It could depend ultimately upon whom they can attract, although it is likely Roseman, who helped select new coach Doug Pederson and has already been making personnel decisions, will remain in charge.

Hunt has held his current position since 2010. He first worked with the Steelers as an intern before joining the Texans as a pro scout. He was a four-year starting offensive lineman at Division II Indiana (Pa.) University from 2000 to 2003.

There have been no other confirmed interviews for the vacancy, although the Eagles are believed to have spoken with a number of candidates. Former Browns vice president of player personnel Morocco Brown is on their radar, according to a league source.

Roseman spoke with former Buccaneers general manager Mark Dominik, another source familiar with the conversation said, but he has decided for the time being to stay with ESPN as an analyst.

The Eagles could also promote from within. While Tom Donohoe is running day-to-day operations as senior director of player personnel, he will do so only on an interim basis. Director of pro scouting Dwayne Joseph is considered a candidate.

Carl Nassib proved a lot during his career at Penn State. He was a walk-on defensive end who ultimately was named Big Ten defensive player of the year as a senior. So he entered Senior Bowl practices more concerned about individual improvement than he was about the draft.

"I knew I just had to play my game and not worry about all the excess stimuli that was going on around me," Nassib said Thursday. "I just kind of focused on getting better."

The 6-foot-7, 273-pound Nassib worked almost exclusively as a 4-3 defensive end. That is where most scouts seem to project him in the pros. His long arms (341/2 inches) and large grip (his 103/8-inch hands were the largest on the North roster) will only increase his stock. Some scouts have the Malvern Prep product going in the second or third round.

"I feel like I did well. I improved," Nassib said. "I really just wanted to learn some new technique and define my skills."

Penn State defensive tackle Austin Johnson (6-4, 323) was also on the North roster. Nassib's former line mate declared for the draft even though he had another year of eligibility. Johnson had a solid week and could slip into the first round.

Temple was represented by defensive tackle Matt Ioannidis (6-4, 303), linebacker Tyler Matakevich (6-0, 233), and cornerback Tavon Young (5-9, 181). Ioannidis appeared to draw the most raves of the three. Matakevich and Young are small for their respective positions, but both showed a knack for making plays and being around the ball.

Eastern Kentucky defensive end Noah Spence grew up an Eagles fan and said that he tailored his game after that of former Eagle Trent Cole growing up in Harrisburg.

"I really liked his pass- rush skills and how he set the edge," Spence said Wednesday.

The 6-3, 254-pound Spence impressed the entire week. If it weren't for some past troubles, he would be an automatic first-round selection. He may still be. Removed from Ohio State's football program because of a drug problem, Spence spent the week trying to convince teams that he has put his struggles in the past.

"In most of the interviews I've shown them that I've matured from my situation and that I've grown up from it and I'm a better person now," Spence said.

Baylor defensive end Shawn Oakman will face the same scrutiny as a result of being kicked off Penn State's team. The Lansdowne native has appealing size (6-8, 269) and athleticism, but he will have to answer for several off-the-field and in-the-classroom problems.

Oakman, too, grew up an Eagles fan.