January 28, 2017
When he met with the media earlier this week during Senior Bowl practices, Howie Roseman was asked about the role Philadelphia Eagles owner Jeffrey Lurie played in the team's offseason decision-making process, both as it relates to the evaluation of talent and assistant coaching moves.
Roseman downplayed his bosses role in both -- he's here "to ask questions" were his exact words about Lurie's involvement. Roseman also specifically stated that it was head coach Doug Pederson who had final say over the coaching staff, both in the decision to fire wideout coach Greg Lewis (and hire Mike Groh) and to block quarterback coach John DeFilippo from interviewing with the New York Jets for their vacant offensive coordinator position.
But, according to Jeff McLane of The Philadelphia Inquirer, it appears Lurie played more of a role than Roseman wanted to admit, a rare move that becomes even more disconcerting when you consider the fact that DeFilippo and the Eagles had an agreement in place that the team would not prevent him from interviewing for an offensive coordinator position elsewhere.
When Doug Pederson and Howie Roseman hired John DeFilippo to be the Eagles' quarterbacks coach a year ago they told him that if he had an offer to become an offensive coordinator they wouldn't stand in his way.
Earlier this month, the New York Jets asked to interview DeFilippo for that very job. Pederson and Roseman, true to their word, signed off on the request. NFL teams can't block assistants from auditioning for head coaching vacancies, but they can prevent them from interviewing for coordinator positions.
It's unclear whether DeFilippo would have gotten the Jets job or even wanted it, but he never got an opportunity to toss his hat in the ring. Eagles owner Jeffrey Lurie stepped in and rescinded the original consent, according to four independent NFL sources. [philly.com]
While that may scare some on its face -- the owner stepping in and forcing his coach and top front office executive to go back on their word won't help them the next time they need to hire a position -- the reasoning behind Lurie's decision to block DeFilippo sends a strong message to the players.
Or at least one player.
According to McLane, who added that this kind of move from the Eagles owner is unprecedented, Lurie was acting in best interest of his franchise quarterback and the display of power "represents his passion - some called it his 'obsession' - with making sure the young quarterback has all the tools necessary to thrive."
That includes "acquiring skill position talent this offseason." According to McLane's sources, Lurie is "prepared to give Wentz the skill-position players he lacks."
Could the first step toward upgrading the receivers have been the decision to part ways with Lewis and hire Groh? That was the only other coaching move the team made this year
But Lurie's block [of DeFilippo] was not only extremely rare for an owner, but it potentially undermined Pederson. ... Roseman reiterated, when asked about Lewis, that Pederson has final say over his staff. But in light of the DeFilippo situation, could Lurie have forced the dismissal of the receivers coach? Again, everything is seemingly in play, especially as it relates to Wentz. [philly.com]
In blocking DeFilippo, Lurie and the Eagles didn't buy themselves a whole lot of longevity at the position. His contract is up at the end of next year. And although it remains unknown if the team offered any kind of extension as a sign of good faith after keeping him from a potential promotion, the requests to interview DeFilippo aren't likely to stop.
Unfortunately, there's not much the Birds can offer him in terms of an in-house promotion. Here's more from McLane:
Whether the Eagles offered him an extension or a raise as compensation remains unknown, but DeFilippo has only one year left on his deal. A lot could happen in a year, but if Wentz continues to progress, the coach should once again be a candidate for coordinator posts next offseason.
The Eagles may have to promote DeFilippo to keep him, although they still have Frank Reich as offensive coordinator and Pederson calls plays. [philly.com]
You can read the entire story, here. I highly recommend it; there's a lot more than what's included above.
