Howie Roseman hears all the talk, just like you do.
Go to ProFootballTalk.com, and youll discover that maybe Robert Griffin III isnt the second coming of Michael Vick, that the Jaguars like Georgia Tech receiver Stephen Hill, and that the Browns know who theyre going to take with the fourth pickassuming they keep it.
Remember, the Eagles purportedly were discussing a deal with Cleveland for the fourth picka notion they recently shot down.
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Roseman hears it alland the draft din is beginning to reach a fever pitch. But by now Roseman, who is entering his third draft as the Eagles GM, knows not to listen to any of it.
Its a confusing last week so we try to stick to what we think we know, and thats based on the value of the players and not what were hearing, because its silly season right now in the NFL, Roseman said Wednesday at the NovaCare Complex, and everyone is trying to make sure that they get what they want, and thats how it should be, reallywere talking about a competitive sport and a competitive deal here.
We just try to put on our blinders and go to our board and our evaluations and then go to what we know about teams needs and the history of what teams do and do our best to try to figure out whats going to be there. And to tell you that were going to be perfect with that, its just not going to happen. Somethings going to happen that were going to go whoah.
Like in 2009, when receiver Jeremy Maclin fell into their lap at 19.
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I think the amazing thing is, as much as you think you know, something always changes it, Roseman said. We sat there a couple of years ago, and we didnt know Jeremy Maclin would be there. Obviously thats a good result for us.
Maclin has 189 career receptions, second most in team history in his first three seasons behind tight end Keith Jackson, who had 194 from 1988-90.
If you were to ask me before the draft, who we were going to take and the possibilities that would be there, that wasnt in the realm of possibilities to us, Roseman said. I think thats what makes the draft fun. I think thats what makes it exciting for the fans, it makes it exciting for us, and youve got to have some of that element of it, and thats why you grade all of the players.
For the fans, silly season is fun too.
I think theres always a lot of talk right now about trading picks because nobody knows whos really going to be there, so everyones trying to cover all their bases, he said. So people will act like they want to trade back or up, and then they get to their spot, theres someI use this word looselyinsecurity about whos going to be at your pick, so you always want to cover back to make sure that if a good players not at your pick, you have those bases covered in advance.
And a lot of times then youll get back on the phone, and say, Alright are you guys willing to move, or do you guys want to move up, or do you want to move back? And the certain player who they didnt think was going to be there is there, and they want to stay on the clock or the player that they wanted to hoped would be at your pick isnt there and then they dont want to move up.
Roseman naturally wouldnt reveal what the Eagles want to do in his hour-long session with reporters. He did his best to say a lot and say nothing at the same time. Well have more coming over the next couple of days. The NFL draft takes place next Thursday-Saturday.
E-mail Andy Schwartz at aschwartz@comcastsportsnet.com.