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Eagles

Eagles "GM" candidate promoted and no longer available

    by Jeff McLane
    Published 

The Texans promoted Brian Gaine to director of player personnel before the Eagles had the opportunity to interview the senior scout a second time for their personnel executive vacancy, a source close to the situation said.

Gaine, Houston's director of pro personnel, interviewed with Chip Kelly on Sunday in Texas. The Eagles coach attended the national championship game between Oregon and Ohio State in Arlington, Tex. the next day.

The Eagles' level of interest beyond the first interview was unknown. Gaine has been in Houston for only one year, but has apparently developed a close bond with new coach Bill O'Brien. The Texans recently lost director of college scouting Scot Maccagnan, who was named the New York Jets' GM this week.

Gaine wouldn't have likely gained more power in Philly than he will have with the Texans after his promotion. Kelly was given complete control over personnel earlier this month after owner Jeffrey Lurie striped former GM Howie Roseman of his player evaluation powers.

Roseman will remain in charge of the salary cap and negotiate contracts, per Lurie. He was called to testify in the fraud case against former sportscaster Don Tollefson last week, but couldn't because he was vacationing in Turks and Caicos.

Kelly was spotted scouting players at the NFLPA Collegiate Bowl practice in California and East-West Shrine practices last week after Oregon lost to Ohio State on Monday.

There have been various candidates mentioned in connection with the Eagles' search, but the Eagles haven't been commenting during the "GM" search. Kelly, Roseman and Lurie haven't spoken publicly since the front office shake-up.

Jaguars director of pro personnel Chris Polian interviewed with the Eagles two weeks ago. There were separate reports that the Eagles had requested to interview Dolphins director of college scouting Chris Grier, Seahawks director of college scouting Scott Fitterer and Packers vice president of player personnel Eliot Wolf, but it was unclear if those requests were ever granted.

Ed Marynowitz, the Eagles' assistant director of player personnel, has been mentioned as an in-house candidate.

Kelly could be waiting until after Sunday's championship games or the Super Bowl to interview scouts with the Seahawks, Packers, Patriots or Colts.

Gaine was Dolphins assistant GM under Jeff Ireland before taking the Texans job. He worked in Miami for several years and with the Cowboys and Jets before that. He's been an NFL scout for 15 years.