The Linc - Should the Eagles have traded up in the Draft?

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Should the Eagles have traded up for one of the 'Sexy Six?' - JimmyK, Philly.com
However, even with the benefit of hindsight, the Eagles were probably better off not trading up. In order to beat the Saints' offer, the Eagles probably would have had to have given up their 3rd round pick to move up from 22 to 20, which would have been awful value. It would have also meant no Josh Huff in the 3rd round. Here is what the Eagles would have gotten if they had traded up vs. what they ended up with by staying put and trading out.

Evaluating Howie - Tommy Lawlor, Iggles Blitz
Howie Roseman has now run the last 3 Eagles drafts.We’re starting to get an idea of how he does things and there is enough of a track record that we can make some judgments. I’m sure some of you will say "But what about waiting 3 years to see how the players turn out?". That’s not all on the GM and scouts. A lot of that is on the coaching staff, in terms of player development and how they use the players. The focus with the GM is how he handles the actual draft.

Baker proud of his time as Eagles' PA announcer - Zach Berman, Inquirer
an Baker left his booth after the Eagles' postseason loss in January having just completed his 29th season as the team's public address announcer. He was already looking forward to his 30th season in 2014. Addressing the Philadelphia crowd had been an autumn ritual; he never missed a game in 29 years. There will not be a 30th season. The Eagles announced last week that Baker would not return. They told him they were "going in a different direction."

On the Roseman/Kelly Dynamic - Sheil Kapadia, Birds 24/7
Neither Chip Kelly nor Howie Roseman wants to answer the question directly. Who has final say on decisions during the draft? Really, all it would take is one or two words. But the head coach and general manager prefer to leave some wiggle room with their responses.

DE Joe Kruger: The Eighth Draft Pick  - Alex Smith, PE.com
The 2014 NFL Draft started one week ago today, and over the course of three days, the Eagles selected seven talented young players to help build a championship-caliber roster. In a way, though, the Eagles will add an eighth draft pick this year with the return of defensive end Joe Kruger. Kruger was drafted by the Eagles in the seventh round of the 2013 draft. After a successful Training Camp with the team, Kruger suffered a shoulder injury in the Eagles' final preseason game against the New York Jets. That injury would land Kruger on injured reserve, ending his rookie season before it even had a chance to take off. Ten months later, Kruger feels fully recovered, and he's ready to prove himself on the field.

Eagles quietly trying to upgrade special teams - Reuben Frank, CSN Philly
So while the Eagles’ offseason was dominated by DeSean Jackson’s release, a free agency season absent of big names, Jason Peters’ new contract and a draft heavy in wide receivers and defense, the Eagles quietly have been trying to upgrade one of the NFL’s worst special teams units. They didn’t land any big names during free agency -- Malcolm Jenkins was the biggest -- but the Eagles did add safety Chris Maragos, linebacker Bryan Braman and nickel corner Nolan Carroll, who are all being counted on to be special teams stalwarts.

NFL Draft Grades: Why Eagles' pick of Marcus Smith deserves an 'A' - ESP, NJ.com
After a week to digest the decision, however, one thing is becoming more and more clear -- Smith was absolutely the right choice for the Eagles, and the pick -- at least initially -- deserves an "A". More than anything, the Eagles needed a pass-rusher, and a player to help complete their transition from a 4-3 defense to a 3-4. That player needed to be an outside linebacker, and in Smith, the Eagles are hoping they found the player to fill both needs.

What's really driving the proposed NFL pot policy change? - Eric Sollenberger, SB Nation NFL
This proposal could mean a reduction in marijuana testing and suspensions while giving Commissioner Roger Goodell unilateral authority to hear future appeals on HGH. It's a great deal for the league's PR and a really bad deal for the NFLPA.