According to multiple reports, the University of Oregon and the NCAA have agreed that “major” violations occurred during Chip Kelly’s tenure as head coach.

Kelly today responded to the reports.

Howie Roseman did not dispute harsh criticism of Geno Smith that was published in a recent Pro Football Weekly scouting report.

The Eagles’ GM also offered his thoughts on this year’s safety class and explained how the team uses social media as part of its evaluation process.

Howie Roseman has been hesitant to offer a straight answer.

Perhaps he doesn’t want to feed into the perception that he’s a power-hungry GM looking for maximum control. Or maybe it’s just a matter of Chip Kelly wanting the organization to project a team-oriented approach in all aspects of the operation.

But asked many times over the past few months who has the final say on draft picks, Roseman has provided different variations of the same response.

One day before the start of the team’s voluntary minicamp, the Eagles announced that they have released quarterback Trent Edwards.

That leaves Mike Vick, Nick Foles, Dennis Dixon and G.J. Kinnie as the remaining quarterbacks on the roster.

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.

Ten days to go until the draft that is expected to lay the foundation for the Chip Kelly era, and the buzz has ratcheted up a notch.

Here’s the latest buzz from around the league.

A common practice, when scanning over the current Eagles roster for areas of need, is to skip right past the wide receiver position. They have DeSean Jackson, they have Jeremy Maclin, they have more pressing concerns. Move on.

But it’s worthwhile to take a more thorough look.

We’ve written quite a bit in this space about the possibility of the Eagles taking outside linebacker Dion Jordan with the No. 4 pick.

But there’s another Oregon Duck who could be on the team’s radar: offensive lineman Kyle Long.

Draft prospect visits continue for the Eagles. They recently hosted Western Kentucky pass-rusher Quanterus Smith and Alabama defensive lineman Quinton Dial, according to reports.

Even with the addition of James Casey via free agency this offseason, the Eagles could still very well pick up a tight end in this draft.

Plus, Ron Jaworski ranks the quarterback class, and Jon Gruden says one QB might just be the sleeper of the draft.

Earlier this week, we discussed the possibility of the Eagles trading down out of the No. 4 pick.

And while many believe teams at the top of the first round will have a tough time drawing significant offers, ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr. thinks the Eagles will get some calls.

“You’re going to get offers because it’s not costly to be up there,” Kiper said. ‘It’s a case where there’s going to be some hot players, and the hot players are going to be those left tackles. Everybody seems to want to go up and get those guys. After [Luke] Joeckel goes, if he goes one, that’s going to make Eric Fisher and Lane Johnson two possibilities for teams that are going to look to move up.”

The Eagles today released four players: linebacker Ryan Rau, linebacker Marcus Dowtin, wide receiver Ron Johnson and cornerback Chris Hawkins.