Report: Eagles Trade Eric Rowe To Patriots
Eric Rowe. (Jeff Fusco)
UPDATE #2: Sounds like Kline won’t even be part of the trade.
Whatever this unannounced #Eagles trade involving Eric Rowe is, my understanding is that Josh Kline no longer is involved in any way…
— Les Bowen (@LesBowen) September 6, 2016
UPDATE #1: The Eagles’ new offensive lineman may not be in Philadelphia for long.
New Eagles' OL Josh Kline might not be in Philly long — or at all. Eagles already in deep discussions to trade Kline, sources tell ESPN.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) September 6, 2016
Original Story
The Eagles traded Eric Rowe to the Patriots for offensive lineman Josh Kline and a draft pick, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter and Mike Reiss. NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport tweeted the pick is a fourth-round selection in 2018, which can become a third-round selection depending on Rowe’s playing time in 2016 or 2017.
Kline, whom the Patriots signed as an undrafted free agent in 2013, started 13 games last season because of injuries — seven at right guard and six at left guard. He also started four games in 2014 — two at each guard position — and has played in a total of 37 games in three seasons, including four playoff contests.
After replacing Nolan Carroll at the end of last season and earning praise from his teammates and coaches, Rowe slid down their depth chart this offseason in Jim Schwartz’s defense. The Eagles have reportedly been trying to trade Rowe for weeks, as he didn’t appear to have a contributing role on the team this year.
Rowe said yesterday before the trade he believed he played well in the preseason and improved during the summer, and he wasn’t sure why there appeared to be a disconnect between how he viewed his play and how his coached viewed his performance.
“I don’t have an idea. I don’t have an idea about that. It’s tough to hang your head on, but it’s the NFL, it ain’t easy. It’s just one of those things you got to overcome,” Rowe said. “I don’t know what they want me to improve on. I know what I can improve on, but as far as them, I’m not really sure.”
According to Rowe, Schwartz’s scheme is very similar to Billy Davis’ scheme for cornerbacks, so he didn’t think it was a system problem. He did note he was “a step behind” when breaking on the top of the routes during the spring, but he had been “slowly getting better” at that during training camp.
“It’s tough, but all I can control is how I play out there. Maybe there’s something they don’t see in me, but I just got to keep fighting,” Rowe said. “From my rookie year to this year, I personally think I got better. I’m getting comfortable with my press-man technique, deep ball – I’m getting better with that technique. I really thought I played pretty well in the preseason games, so personally, I don’t have anything holding me back, but I don’t know what they’re thinking upstairs. I can’t control that, but nothing’s really holding me back.”