Howie Roseman has taken almost complete control of the Eagles ’decisions. He’s in a roll. – Morning call

Sixteen months ago I wrote this about Eagles general manager Howie Roseman:

“… let King Howie rule. Give him a free and terrible hand. Reduce his “advisors”. Give Howie information about the scouts, let the coaches express their contribution, then sit back and let Rosman rule. ”

According to two NFL sources, this is exactly what happened.

An early return seems good. Often the least popular figure in Philadelphia sports, Roseman receives a wave of support, unlike any he has ever enjoyed, even when his staff is going through massive coups.

Over the past year and a half, he has acquired two of the best receivers; brought the Giants out of their best corner defender and denied them the overwhelming choice in the first round; strengthened defenses above expectations; and even drafted a linebacker.

If you enjoy the work he does, give him credit because, according to sources, he is less affected today than ever. This includes his boss, owner Jeffrey Lurie. Ever since the Eagles fired Doug Pederson in January 2021 and hired Nick Siriani, Lurie has backed down, shut up and given Rosman free.

Romance ran with him.

He made a couple of deals that put the Eagles in 10th place in the 2021 draft, where he hooked DeVont Smith, which the Giants wanted to take under No. 11. During the 2021 season, he signed a left-handed fight with Jordan Mailata and a tight end with Dallas Gedert to extend his contract, which will definitely be a deal.

In 2022, when a free agency began in 2022, he received a pass from Rasper Haasan Radzik. Then, during the draft, he chose Jordan Davis ’monstrous defensive roll and used a peak in the third round on Georgia lineback Nakobi Dean, which is perhaps the most popular use of choice in the third round. in the history of the Eagles. Suddenly the soft defense of the “Eagles” tasted.

He made his most dynamic move – in the draft he exchanged first and third round elections for receiver AJ Brown, which he immediately extended – almost without cooperation.

“People in our call room didn’t know what was going on,” he said on the Dan Patrick show. “And then we brought everyone in when we were on the clock at 18, and I’m sure people had favorites to choose from, and basically said, ‘We exchanged choices.’

In the middle of it all, Roseman cut back and then re-signed Fletcher Cox’s defensive fight to save money. He also re-signed a contract with Derek Barnett with a free agent, which is essentially a one-year deal that will cost no more than $ 5.5 million, or about half of what Barnett cost them in 2021 to play 16 games. This cost savings helped the Eagles afford James Bradbury, a 28-year-old former corner Pro Bowl who the Giants had to cut and who would cost the Eagles no more than $ 10 million.

The entire NFL knew Bradbury would be releasing the Giants with a cap. One could almost see Roseman waiting, like a spider in his web, ready to pounce where several other teams could not.

Since January, seven prominent employees have left the Eagles’ front office. Some got better jobs. Some departures were reciprocal. Others were released.

It won’t matter. Howie replies, and he realizes it.

When Chip Kelly fired Roseman in 2015, Kelly played poorly with others in his two years as decision-making head of state. Lurie fired Kelly and brought Roseman back to power in January 2016, but provided that Roseman would be more attentive to top aides. These main assistants were Joe Douglas and Andy Weidl.

From 2016 to 2020, Roseman often complied with the wishes of his assistants. Lurie has also influenced decisions such as the double re-signing of a long-overdue match with Jason Peters. Douglas became CEO of the Jets three years ago, and Weidl remains and is Rozman’s best speaker. But lately Roseman has become less listening to the chorus of voices on the second floor of 1 NovaCare Way.

It’s not that Roseman doesn’t accept the contributions of scouts and lieutenants, or that he doesn’t listen to coaches. This input just has less weight than ever.

He trusts his intuition.

Disasters? Put them all at Roseman’s feet – that’s where the money stops – but understand that Roseman’s decision was influenced.

In 2019, Douglas loved Andre Dillard’s exquisite podcast, a prospect of high character and breed that the Eagles chose 22nd overall. As it turned out, Dillard was completely unprepared for the NFL’s demands. In three years he started nine games.

In 2020, Eagles coaches loved the bright Jalen Reagar, as did Lurie, who were fascinated by rough speed after the Chiefs-49ers LIV Super Cup, but the Eagles scouts preferred the prolific pass catcher Justin Jefferson. The deception went with the coaches and the host. Reagor has 64 catches and three touchdowns. Jefferson had 196 catches and 17 touchdowns.

“It’s the one who did it,” said one source, a former Eagles employee.

In 2021, Roseman fell in love with Smith from the beginning. He traded and got it.

Roseman also liked Milton Williams’ defensive roll, which he drafted under the 73rd overall – a moment that is known to have been filmed on camera, and a moment that explains the major changes in Rozmen from 2020 to 2021.

Rozman returned from number 70 to number 73, where as he gambled, Williams was still available. He was right after Alim McNeill became the 72nd. Live cameras broadcast Roseman’s joy when the choice was made, and Rozman’s attempt at a festive punch with front-line legend Tom Donahue – a fist that Donajo willingly returned. Donahue wanted McNeil.

By 2021, Rozeman’s reaction to Donahue’s alarm could have been conciliatory, perhaps even apologetic. Donahue – NFL gentry; he helped build the Steelers in the 1990s and he was at Eagles for 10 years and he helped build the LII Super Cup winner.

Rozman’s reaction in 2021? He shrugged.

Donaho and the Eagles broke up two weeks ago.

Sports noise

Every day

The latest sports news locally and nationally, as well as what is happening in sports this afternoon and evening.

It’s not as if Roseman ignores voices in the building. Just over the past two offseasons, Roseman has made no mistake in reassuring his staff, Lurie or coaches – with the notable exception of offensive line coach Jeff Stoutland.

“We really see everything through his eyes,” Rozman admitted after the call.

In each of the last two drafts, Roseman used a second-round pick on the lineman’s internal attack, who was not expected to start as a rookie. Stout backed injured guard Landon Dickerson on last year’s draft and future center-back Cam Jurgens this year. Dickerson started 14 games. Jürgens will support 34-year-old Jason Kelso, who battled four different injuries last season. These are the types of investment steps that pay off.

Will they continue to pay for Howie? For now, Roseman, untied, can’t miss it.

If you like what you see, give Roosevelt full credit.

Of course, if it doesn’t work out, blame him.

Marcus Hayes is a columnist for The Philadelphia Inquirer