What They’re Saying About the Eagles
Before we get to the links, Happy New Year and thanks from us to all of you for making this site what it is. As we’ve said often, we appreciate all the support in helping to grow Birds 24/7 over the last three seasons.
The Eagles sent out the Tom Gamble press release at 2:16 p.m. on New Year’s Eve. That didn’t exactly stop this group from paying attention and chiming in with opinions. Our Gamble post was published at 2:46 p.m., and as of Thursday morning, the smartest audience in all the land had weighed in with 326 comments.
You’ve proven that the model works. Regardless of month, day or time, Eagles fans want to talk about this team. And you’ve shown that civil conversation can take place even when factions of the fan base disagree. That’s a notion some didn’t think was possible, so congrats. And here’s to more of the same in 2015.
Now onto the links…
Interesting nugget from Jeff McLane of the Inquirer on Howie Roseman:
It’s unclear whether Roseman would have been driven to the point of leaving, but the 39-year-old GM had conversations about the New York Jets’ vacancy, according to two NFL sources.
The Jets didn’t put in a formal interview request, but it is believed that Roseman or his agent, Bob LaMonte, had informal talks with either consultant Charlie Casserly or owner Woody Johnson. The Jets’ level of interest was unknown.
Geoff Mosher of CSN Philly on the Eagles’ front office:
Multiple sources told CSNPhilly.com that tension has developed between Roseman and Kelly throughout Kelly’s two-year tenure, whereas the bond between Kelly and Gamble, two football guys who think along the same lines, was tightening.
The same sources also said bad blood in Roseman’s scouting department has been brewing and Gamble’s departure could be just the first shoe to drop.
Assistant director of player personnel Ed Marynowitz has also butted heads with Roseman, the sources said.
Mark Eckel of NJ.com writes that Chip Kelly’s comments last week did not sit well with Roseman:
On Monday, Kelly called Gamble “an outstanding football man” and said he did a “great job.” During that same press conference, Kelly said Roseman was good at handling the salary cap.
According to people inside the organization those quotes “infuriated” Roseman. The general manager — who has never been a scout, played the game or coached — has worked to overcome the image of being solely a salary-cap guy.
ESPN’s Louis Riddick, who worked in the Eagles’ front office with Roseman, offers his thoughts:
Philly “parting ways” with Gamble now? The pattern continues. #SMH
— Louis Riddick (@LRiddickESPN) December 31, 2014
If you can’t see what is really going on there, then….
— Louis Riddick (@LRiddickESPN) December 31, 2014
The Eagles finished 12th in ESPN.com’s final power rankings:
The Eagles missed the playoffs but still won 10 games with a backup QB playing half the season and the team committing a league-high 36 turnovers.
Gregg Rosenthal of NFL.com has Nick Foles and Mark Sanchez tied for 20th in his year-end QB rankings:
It was hard to separate the Eagles’ quarterbacks, who both put up big numbers despite way too many mistakes and missed open receivers. When they faced quality opponents, they usually cracked. …
Phil Sheridan of ESPN.com offers his 2015 outlook for the Eagles:
It changed as quickly and as certainly as the Eagles fell from 9-3 to 9-6. The defense that seemed to be improving weekly suddenly looked horrible and in need of a complete makeover in the secondary. Instead of looking as if they had two quarterbacks who could win games, it looked as if the Eagles really needed to find a franchise quarterback to run Kelly’s offense. Worst of all, the final collapse cost the Eagles their place in the NFC East pecking order. Dallas is at the top. The Eagles are alongside Washington and New York, trying to figure out how to get past the Cowboys.
Josh Norris of Rotoworld has the Eagles taking TCU inside LB Paul Dawson in the first round:
Now that Kendricks is receiving more attention, Dawson is next on the list. I know Demeco Ryans is a leader but the Eagles can save $6.9 million by cutting him. Dawson displays speed and comfort in coverage and attacks ball carriers near the line of scrimmage rather than waiting on them. I guess Marcus Smith was moved back to an edge rushing role at the end of the season…