Howie Roseman: Eagles QBs Are 'Embracing Competition'
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) – On the day that rookies report to training camp for the Philadelphia Eagles, there are many, many questions about this year's team. There is one question however, that stands head and shoulders above all the rest: who will be the starting quarterback?
Since Chip Kelly informed the media that he would not be naming a quarterback until sometime during camp, many have weighed in on who should be under center for the team. Many such as Michael Vick himself, LeSean McCoy, DeSean Jackson (twice), and of course Snoop Lion.
"In all the conversations that I've personally had with [the quarterbacks], and the people around the building have told me they've had with them, is that they're embracing competition," Howie Roseman told 94WIP's Anthony Gargano and Glen Macnow on Monday. "Those guys know that they're in the National Football League, that the best players are going to play, and they're going to have every opportunity to show who is the best player at that particular spot. I think they're excited to get into camp, get an opportunity to showcase their skills, and then let the chips fall."
Even though Howie Roseman has been with the Eagles for over a decade, this is the first year that he's 'the guy' as far as personnel goes. Gone are Andy Reid and Joe Banner, two guys that Roseman learned from, and eventually took over for.
"Well it's tremendously different for me, personally," Roseman said. "You're talking about guys that were mentors to me and friends, and guys that, obviously, I took a great deal from. But I have my own style and the way that I want to do things, obviously take some from them, and also put our own spin on it. Don [Smolenski] and I have spent a lot of time together in different roles here and looking forward to a day like today, where we start up, and start really a new. So we're really excited about that and being able to put our own spin on it, and our own energy, and hopefully have a long run of success."
Quarterback isn't the only position where there is a question. The defensive line could be in flux, with some pieces that may not fit as well in a 3-4 scheme as they did in a 4-3. One of those pieces is Trent Cole.
"It's funny because Trent Cole has been here since 2005, and continues to prove people wrong. I know that he has a huge chip on his shoulder from what happened last year, he doesn't make any excuses about it," Roseman said. "I know he publicly said that he didn't have the year that he expected from himself. When we were here in the off-season he was working as hard as anyone on this football team. He's got tremendous will to be a great player in this defense and he's one of the people that I would not count Trent Cole out. I think he's going to surprise a lot of people in this transition and there's not a lot of better pass rushers in the National Football League than Trent Cole. So we are excited to see him, he will be in great shape when he comes here, and he's got a chip on his shoulder."
