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Eagles Chairman and CEO Jeffrey Lurie spoke to reporters for the first time in over a year on Tuesday evening. He talked for 35 minutes so he covered a lot of topics. We’ll have more extensive coverage of Lurie’s press conference right here on Bleeding Green Nation but for now here’s a quick recap of the major takeaways.
Lurie is optimistic about Carson Wentz
Lurie didn’t anoint Wentz as the team’s savoir but he’s hopeful.
Why Lurie is sold on Wentz
— Brandon Lee Gowton (@BrandonGowton) March 29, 2017
1) Physical talent
2) Personality + leadership
3) Football intelligence + passion
4) Humble + great teammate
Lurie says Eagles tried “very hard” to get the No. 1 overall pick in the 2016 NFL Draft.
— Brandon Lee Gowton (@BrandonGowton) March 29, 2017
Lurie says he was 99.99% confident who the Rams were taking at No. 1 (Goff) and that’s why they traded up to No. 2 to get Wentz.
— Brandon Lee Gowton (@BrandonGowton) March 29, 2017
To sum up 35 minutes with Lurie: He's really excited about Carson Wentz. Won't anoint him, but thinks Wentz has all the ingredients
— Zach Berman (@ZBerm) March 29, 2017
Lurie said Eagles had 80 pages of notes on Carson Wentz during draft process.
— Jimmy Kempski (@JimmyKempski) March 29, 2017
.@JimmyKempski Here’s an exclusive look at those notes: https://t.co/4DKSDNLYnX
— Brandon Lee Gowton (@BrandonGowton) March 29, 2017
The Eagles really view Joe Douglas as a key addition
This is the first time Lurie has really spoken about Douglas since the executive was hired after the 2016 NFL Draft last year. He said he’s gotten a lot of praise around the league for hiring Douglas.
Lurie says hiring Joe Douglas was the "pivotal moment" last offseason.
— Zach Berman (@ZBerm) March 29, 2017
Jeffrey Lurie says Joe Douglas will be leading the way with the Eagles’ drafts.
— Brandon Lee Gowton (@BrandonGowton) March 29, 2017
Lurie: “The draft board will be set by Joe and the final decision will be made by Howie.” Notes the two are “unbelievably collaborative.”
— Brandon Lee Gowton (@BrandonGowton) March 29, 2017
A key in putting Roseman back in power was hiring a personnel exec. That's where Joe Douglas came in. Lurie getting a lot of praise for Joe
— Zach Berman (@ZBerm) March 29, 2017
Lurie praised Howie Roseman
Lurie says Howie did a "heck of a job" trading up for Carson Wentz #Eagles
— Eliot Shorr-Parks (@EliotShorrParks) March 29, 2017
Lurie was also effusive in his praise of Howie Roseman. Noted how deep running football operations is. Different than personnel.
— Zach Berman (@ZBerm) March 29, 2017
Will the Eagles consider drafting Joe Mixon?
He didn’t rule it out.
Re: Joe Mixon - Lurie says Eagles are an organization that has given players second chances, but also an organization that values character
— Brandon Lee Gowton (@BrandonGowton) March 29, 2017
Lurie repeatedly emphasized the need to be better at drafting
Lurie admits the Eagles still have a lot of work to do before they can be considered legitimate championship contenders.
Lurie: You have to have multiple drafts in a row where you do well and surround your franchise QB with talent.
— Brandon Lee Gowton (@BrandonGowton) March 29, 2017
Lurie says Eagles are “hellbent” on not just focusing on short-term needs. Says Eagles rly need to focus on drafting best player available.
— Brandon Lee Gowton (@BrandonGowton) March 29, 2017
Lurie: You have to have multiple drafts in a row where you do well and surround your franchise QB with talent.
— Brandon Lee Gowton (@BrandonGowton) March 29, 2017
Lurie denied the report he’s more involved in football decisions
Lurie also denied the report he blocked the Jets from hiring John DeFilippo. He said it was Doug Pederson’s decision.
Lurie said his role in personnel and coaching decisions has not changed during his ownership. Asks a lot of questions, but doesn't decide.
— Zach Berman (@ZBerm) March 29, 2017
Lurie gave as assessment of Eagles head coach Doug Pederson
Lurie notes how Chip Kelly left a fractured locker room behind and Doug Pederson helped bring players back together. #Eagles
— Brandon Lee Gowton (@BrandonGowton) March 29, 2017
Lurie says he doesn’t want the Eagles to be risk averse. He likes Doug Pederson’s aggression (such as going for it on fourth down).
— Brandon Lee Gowton (@BrandonGowton) March 29, 2017
Lurie admitted the Eagles basically bought a draft pick by trading Sam Bradford
Lurie basically just admitted the #Eagles signed Sam Bradford with the plans of trading him before the two-year contract was up
— Eliot Shorr-Parks (@EliotShorrParks) March 29, 2017
Lurie said key to Bradford trade was way the contract was structured. Said it was like buying a draft pick.
— Zach Berman (@ZBerm) March 29, 2017
Lurie says it was a “tough yet obvious decision” to trade Sam Bradford. #Eagles
— Brandon Lee Gowton (@BrandonGowton) March 29, 2017
Lurie kept using a Sam Hinkie-ism
Jeffrey Lurie keeps using the word “optionality” over and over. #Eagles #Hinkie
— Brandon Lee Gowton (@BrandonGowton) March 29, 2017
Lurie said key in free agency was optionality. Having an opportunity to sign a FA who another team can't keep and ability to keep him
— Zach Berman (@ZBerm) March 29, 2017
Lurie wants to bring Kelly Green jerseys back as alternates
Jeffrey Lurie did not rule out Kelly Green becoming the Eagles’ primary jersey again one day https://t.co/tzYH652FBe
— Brandon Lee Gowton (@BrandonGowton) March 29, 2017
Lurie said the Eagles won’t be on Hard Knocks this year
The Eagles will NOT be on Hard Knocks this year https://t.co/R5ALP3jcDn
— Brandon Lee Gowton (@BrandonGowton) March 29, 2017