Lurie: Resources shifted toward longer term, but team can compete now
BOCA RATON, Fla. -- Jeffrey Lurie sees one of the thrusts of this offseason being a shift more toward longer-term roster thinking, but the Eagles' chairman said that doesn't preclude competing for the NFC East title in 2016.
Lurie spoke to reporters following the morning session at the NFL meetings. He talked extensively about Howie Roseman's role, his own focus, and what Lurie envisions for his team, which has shed the expensive contracts of veterans such as Byron Maxwell and DeMarco Murray and re-signed core players such as Malcolm Jenkins, Lane Johnson and Zach Ertz.
"We expect to compete for the division title this season. At the same time, all decisions ... it's maximizing short-term, maximizing mid-term and maximizing long term. One of the reasons for changing the resource allocation, and making those trades, was a change in the preference of how we wanted to allocate the resources, and that's a short-term impact, mid-term and long term," Lurie said. "We wanted to reallocate to other positions and other players ... A key element in the whole thing was re-signing our best young players, We have a lot of really good young players. We wanted them all with us for the long run ... find and identify your best core talent, if they're really good people and good teammates, if they're good in the community, and they're real talented, make sure you get them and (ensure that they'll) be Eagles for a long time, and get them early.
Lurie said he was "very, very happy with the offseason so far." He added that "we don't change coaches very often, but the transition with Doug (Pederson, the new coach), has been smooth, outstanding. Great communication, high energy. The staff he put together, very excited about. It's important to hire really good coordinators when you're a first-time head coach. That was a big key with Andy (Reid), with (special teams coordinator) John Harbaugh and (defensive coordinator) Jim Johnson."
Lurie said he preferred Roseman remain executive vice president in charge of football operations because he feels it's a more precise term than general manager. He resisted confirming what seems obvious, that the personnel exec the Eagles intend to hire after the draft will work under Roseman, though Lurie acknowledged Roseman will run the personnel operation.
"What Howie's been able to do is pretty outstanding, in terms of a league that values salary cap space and draft choices ... He's had a great plan, kept his nose to the grindstone and just kind of did the the right thing strategically, communicates outstanding(ly) with everybody, the scouts and coaches," Lurie said. "At the moment, couldn't be more pleased. We have a lot more work to do. By no stretch are we satisfied. We've got a lot of work to do and a lot of opportunity to really improve the team. It's great having the eighth (overall) pick in the draft, as well."