Eagles Notes: Roseman Talks Trade-Up Philosophy

On Saturday, Howie Roseman made his first public comments since being promoted/demoted to Eagles executive vice president of football operations.

Speaking at a panel in Boston during the MIT Sloan Sports Analytics Conference, Roseman discussed the wisdom of trading up in the draft to grab a specific player.

Howie Roseman at Sloan Sports Conference: “The history of trading up for 1 player, when you look at those trades, isn’t good for the team…

— Zach Berman (@ZBerm) February 28, 2015

“…trading up and putting a lot of resources into it. Because the guys who are really good at the draft,if you’re hitting on 60% of your…

— Zach Berman (@ZBerm) February 28, 2015

…1st-round picks, that’s a really good track record.” … Roseman’s sentiment was more lottery tickets, better odds. — Zach Berman (@ZBerm) February 28, 2015

Obviously, given all the Marcus Mariota buzz, those are some interesting comments. Was Roseman trying to throw some cold water on the idea that the Eagles are going to try to trade up? Or was he just offering his honest opinion?

Even though nobody from the Eagles has spoken publicly about the new front-office setup, the one thing that’s clear is that Chip Kelly is calling the shots. Roseman, in his new role, won’t have a say in whether the team pulls the trigger on a trade or not.

But if we take his comments at face value, a big move to land Mariota isn’t something he’d be in favor of.

MACLIN UPDATE

Les Bowen of the Daily News caught up with Jeremy Maclin at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital Heart Health Day. The Eagles have yet to lock up the pending free agent to a long-term contract.

Asked if he is keeping other options open — much was made of a possible Kansas City reunion with Andy Reid when Maclin went back to the University of Missouri recently to be inducted into the school’s hall of fame — Maclin said: “You don’t really know what’s out there until free agency starts. I know on paper what teams look like they need receivers. I also understand, this is the place I want to be. We’ll see what happens.”

Asked why no deal has been struck to date, Maclin said: “There’s no rush. What’s the rush? We’re going to do this thing, we’re going to do it right. That’s how you want it to happen, that’s how you want it to be. We want both sides to be happy. If it’s gonna get done, the right way, it will.”

From a financial perspective, the sensible move for Maclin would be to at least see what he’s worth on the open market. He can always come back to the Eagles if that’s his desire.

Of course, Maclin had the same option last offseason and chose to sign a one-year deal with the Birds before becoming a free agent. So there is backing behind the idea that this is where he wants to be.

Monday is the deadline for teams to use the franchise tag. It seems unlikely that the Eagles will go that route with Maclin.

THE MARKET FOR SANCHEZ

Another pending Eagles free agent, Mark Sanchez, got some good news over the weekend:

Josh McCown getting 6.25mil guaranteed is very good news for Mark Sanchez. — John Middlekauff (@JohnMiddlekauff) February 28, 2015

On one hand, the Josh McCown signing is an example of the Cleveland Browns doing Cleveland Browns things.

But the overall point is that the quarterback market this offseason is terrible, and despite his turnover issues last season, Sanchez is likely to have suitors.