The NFL Combine gets underway this week at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, and both Eagles GM Howie Roseman and HC Nick Sirainni spoke to the media this afternoon to address their strategy with the draft and free agency.
Surprisingly, neither was pressed much on A.J. Brown’s call into WIP late last week, or the Marcus Hayes report that came out this morning indicating that certain players were treated differently than others when it came to criticism and that former offensive coordinator Brian Johnson was intimidated by A.J Brown.
Roseman took the podium first and here are some of the quotes that stood out.
On end of season not discrediting winning pedigree the Eagles have built:
“The plan is to put the team in a winning situation. I’m proud of the people we have on this team on and off the field. The end of season didn’t go the way we wanted it to but, at same time, making playoffs six of last seven years and two Super Bowls shows we have been successful.”
The Eagles GM later went on to say:
“I have to look at how do we improve as quickly as we can? How do we make good decision after good decision? Certainly, we weren’t good enough. We got to a point here where the standard is competing for championships. The last two years ended in a disappointing manner. Clearly, we weren’t good enough last year, and I have to do better and look at it with open eyes and look at how we can improve this team. We have some work to do. I’m excited to aggressively go after some future players.”
On the Eagles playing younger players:
“It’s okay to play young players. Based on where some were, they could sit back and learn a bit based on their situation. Going forward it will be harder to do that with who is making a lot of money. Nick and have talked about not being afraid to play them. You will have a depth chart with some areas where there is some uncomfortable spots because a player hasn’t shown much yet, but it’s exciting.”
What is the Eagles top priority this offseason?
‘You want to improve every area and every layer of the team. If you look back at last offseason, we made a conscious effort to put more effort on offense side knowing we’d miss some of the good defense guys. Looking back, we miss those guys and that’s on me.”
On DeVonta Smith and Hasson Reddick contract talks:
“Obviously, he’s (Smith) is an incredible player and person who is homegrown. Without getting into specifics, those are guys you really don’t want to leave.”
“He’s (Reddick) has been an unbelievable player for the Eagles. A great success story, Camden, Temple, local kid and we love having him. Anything you’re trying to do is blend what we did this year and what we are doing next year. I don’t want to get into specifics.”
Sirianni’s Notable Comments:
Analyzing season end drop off the Eagles endured:
“This is what the early part of offseason is for. Get a little time to getaway, hire new coaches, watch draft prospects, free agents and that’s what process we are in. What we did and didn’t do well? Obviously, there was a drop off of how we played and coached down the stretch and we are still in process of identifying the issues and we are committed to getting better.”
On Jalen Hurts being more of a vocal leader:
“There’s not a book written on how you lead. People lead in different ways and one thing I learned in leadership is you have to be yourself.
Everybody has to lead their way and Jalen has special qualities that people will and want to follow. He needs to do what he needs to do. Some styles are loud, some are by example, some are both Jalen and A.J. need to lead how they both need to lead. Slay needs to lead how he needs to lead…being who you are.
I think Jalen has done a good job of doing so and just like he has done, he’ll get better in that aspect, just like I know he will get better in everything else part of the game.”
On Jalen’s performance and how he needs to improve:
“Jalen has had high moments on success in 2022. He was the runner up in NFL MVP and through the first 11 games, same thing. Then we had a fallout as a team. It wasn’t just Jalen or just me…we had a fall off as a team the last six weeks. Jalen has played some really outstanding football. Whatever he sees and we see he needs to work on, he’s going to get better in that area and he puts everything into that. He can pick out a weakness and he will pour everything he has into improving in that area and that’s an example of leadership.”
On Eagles WR A.J Brown’s call to WIP and outside noise:
“I have been telling you guys for long a long time, A.J. is one of the best players and leaders I’ve been around. He is going to do whatever he needs to do stick up for teammates that’s why he’s wearing ‘C’ on his chest. There’s some people who need yelling to be led and you’re yelling, sometimes, it’s putting your arm around them, sometimes it’s in the middle. You don’t treat everyone the same, but the standard is what it is.
Everyone is a little different on how to lead to achieve that standard. I think he’s the best wide receiver in Philadelphia. I was a big T.O. fan and I was a Mike Quick fan too growing up. What he’s (Brown) done over last two years, he’s been one of the most productive players.”
On Working with new Eagles OC Kellen Moore:
“I hired him because he was best guy for the job and has been successful everywhere he’s been. I know it’s a young career, but has been successful as a young coach and player. I like how he thinks about football, take everything in and make decisions off that. Always had respect for him from afar. I’m looking forward to working with him on how we are going to improve and looking forward to meshing what he’s done well with what we’ve done really well together. I think it’s going to be a very good match, his track record speaks for itself.”
On Vic Fangio’s experience:
“I’m excited to have the experience of Vic here. He has been an outstanding coordinator for very long time. He was telling me while driving up here that the combine used to be in New Orleans. I’m really looking forward to working with him. As well as we’ve done on the defense in the past with Jonathan Gannon as a first year and I was a first year head coach, looking forward to the experience Vic provides and he’s a great play caller at a high level.
Sirianni went on to elaborate about the Eagles’ coaching staff changes:
“It’s important that Vic has some of his guys that he’s worked with and knows his system are here. There’s a reason why there are some changes on the defensive side because he needed some guys that have that familiarity. Sean (Desai) didn’t have that. Going into 2024, there will be thoughts from last year and what Vic has done and mixing them in as well. We want to mesh both sides of the football to be the best team we can. Going to be doing some different things, but also things we’ve done well in the past.”
So, there you have it. Nothing earth-shattering and zero updates on the Reddick and Smith contract negotiations as to be expected. Let’s see who the Eagles have their sights on after the combine in preparation of the draft in two months.
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AP Photo/Matt Slocum
