Howie Speaks

The Eagles have had a strange offseason. Plenty of fans are disappointed. I’m okay with most of the moves and I’m more interested than anything. We finally got to hear Howie Roseman share some thoughts on the Eagles moves and non-moves.

He had an interview with Dave Spadaro and a conference call with reporters.

I took in all of this and here are some of my thoughts.

WR

This is a complex subject. First, it doesn’t sound like the Eagles were all that high on any of the targets. The team put together a plan of how to spend their money and they went away from WR.

Howie mentioned prices dropping and talked about how that caught them a bit by surprise. This was odd. They still have space and could have made a move on a receiver this week based on what we know, but Howie really pushed the narrative that the plans had already been made and money accounted for.

He was pushing the idea of not wanting to tie up every dollar this year and mentioned the need to have the cap also work in 2021, 2022 and the coming years. Maybe there are some contract extensions on the way.

Howie explained that the Eagles don’t feel desperate at WR. He knows the team must add talent, but talked about how the team is higher on the returning guys (DeSean, JJAW, Ward) than outsiders are.

Howie also talked about Alshon, as if he might be coming back. That caught me off guard. Is this legit or is there an agenda?

“Alshon’s future with the team is up in the air, sure, but who’s isn’t? That’s for sure. They’re certainly not going to just give him away.” – @AdamSchefter

— 975TheFanatic (@975TheFanatic) March 25, 2020

If Howie wants to trade Alshon, he’s got to make it sound like the Eagles still value him. This could simply be Howie trying to create any kind of a trade market for his veteran receiver. That would be smart business.

CB

You really got the feel that fixing the secondary was the primary focus off the offseason, specifically CB. The Eagles want guys that can cover, but also guys that can make plays. Howie mentioned multiple times that Darius Slay is a guy who can get the ball back for the offense.

Howie had strong praise for Avonte Maddox. The Eagles expect him to be the team’s #2 CB and to start across from Slay.

The team still has hope for Sidney Jones, but this is his time to “prove it”. Howie didn’t say anything bad about Rasul Douglas, but also didn’t make a strong case for him. It sure sounds like he is the odd man out.

DL

The Eagles really wanted Javon Hargrave. They wanted to improve the DL play and felt he was a great fit for the scheme. Hargrave gives them flexibility and depth. The Eagles now have three good interior rushers in Fletcher Cox, Malik Jackson and Hargrave, not to mention the ability to move Brandon Graham inside when they want. Jackson is athletic enough to play DE.

Howie talked about how good QBs are at getting the ball out and the best way to affect them is with pressure up the middle. The Eagles should be able to do that.

MISC

The Eagles are excited to have Nate Sudfeld back. He is the backup QB.

Jatavis Brown is an explosive player and should help the defense and STs.

Howie talked about how Jim Schwartz likes to play 3-safety sets and Will Parks is a key addition because of that.

OVERALL

Howie seemed pleased with the offseason. He said the team is better, faster and younger. Those were three key goals for the offseason.

He also stressed that the offseason isn’t over. The draft is less than a month away, but pro moves will continue to be made right up to the trade deadline. The Eagles are keeping their eyes and ears open.

Howie said the team still needs to get better. There is plenty of work left to be done.

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