They don’t always hit, but they hit pretty often. And when they do, they hit big.
There have been 10 offensive tackles selected with a top-five pick since 2001. Six turned into Pro Bowlers. And combined, those six have been named to the Pro Bowl a total of 18 times.
Howie Roseman says there is a reason why the return rate is so high.
When asked about potentially trading out of the No. 4 pick, Eagles GM Howie Roseman recalled a tale from the 2006 draft.
“Charley Casserly told us a story that he had the first pick in the draft with Mario [Williams] and he called the Jets and he said to Mike [Tannenbaum], ‘What will you give me for the first pick in the draft?’ ” Roseman said. “And Mike said to him, ‘What will you trade me to take that pick?’ I think that was based on the salary structure at that time. It’s a lot different now. The cost is a lot different to move up a couple picks than it used to be.”
The conversation between the two GMs happened seven years ago, but it pertains to the chances of the Eagles trading down in this month’s draft. Before the 2011 CBA, teams were reluctant to trade up because of the salaries that top picks demanded. But now, with the rookie wage scale in place, moving up for top picks carries less risk.
Howie Roseman described this as a “meat and potatoes draft,” heavy on quality offensive and defensive linemen, especially early. The Eagles are picking early, of course – No. 4 to be exact — and the general manager emphasized time and again during his hour-long session with reporters Monday that the organization has learned its lessons from previous drafts-gone-awry and will stay true to the board.
While smokescreens are being deployed by all 32 teams this time of year, Roseman’s opinion on the strength of this draft is in line with what independent analysts have been saying for weeks. The best bet is to add a hearty ingredient to the Philly stew.
Quarterback is a much more complex cuisine, and has the ability to drastically enhance or completely destroy the overall product.
Most analysts agree that it takes three years to properly judge a draft class.
But in the case of the Eagles’ 2011 picks, we might only need two.
As recently as last offseason, it looked like the assets acquired in the Donovan McNabb and Kevin Kolb trades would play a major role in re-shaping the Eagles’ defense.
But looking ahead to 2013, that probably won’t end up being the case.
While all the mock drafts we list in this space project who the Eagles will take with the No. 4 pick, another possibility exists: They trade down.
It’s an option that makes plenty of sense, and the organization has been more than willing to deal in the past. Consider this: The Eagles have made a first-round trade in five of the past six drafts.
This year’s class is not considered top-heavy, and the Eagles are coming off a 4-12 season. If they can grab an extra pick or two to slide down and still get a player they covet, Howie Roseman could definitely consider the option.
It’s now been a little more than two months since the Eagles hired Chip Kelly as their new head coach. Here are three things we’ve learned (or think we’ve learned) in that time period.
One of the most interesting scenes at the owners meetings in Phoenix last week came courtesy of Patriots owner Robert Kraft. He stopped to meet with a group of reporters outside of the Biltmore Hotel and, having just lost Wes Welker to the Denver Broncos, stepped out of character and went into great detail to explain why the Pats were unable to strike a deal with the popular wideout. In his efforts to paint New England in a better light, he allowed us a peek at the new NFL business model.
From Howie Roseman roasting marshmallows with Pete Carroll to Mike McCoy talking about his interview with the Eagles, we give you some color from the owners meetings in Phoenix.
The question was about the quarterback position, and it was offered up to either to Chip Kelly or Howie Roseman, who were seated at opposite ends of the table in the NovaCare auditorium.
You worked out Geno Smith earlier this week. You brought in Matt Scott for a visit. Do you expect to draft a quarterback come April?
The head coach and general manager exchanged glances and waited a beat before Kelly decided to take it on.
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Sheil Kapadia has been writing about the Eagles since 2008. His previous Philly.com blog, Moving the Chains, was named one of the best in the state by the Associated Press. Sheil's main joys in life are family, football and finding good parking spots.
Tim McManus is a bulldog reporter with a nose for news and story angles that will get people talking. He'll talk about it himself on 97.5 The Fanatic, where he serves as a host and Eagles beat reporter. Tim, an award-winning journalist, will be with the team around the clock.
