So UnThotful
Superstar
The eagles had narrow down free-agent linebackers down to Jamie Collins and Zach Brown. The scouting recommendation was Collins, while Schwartz wanted Brown. Roseman went with the latter, sources said. Collins, meanwhile, is having an All-Pro-caliber season for the Patriots and Brown was released last month.
Chris Long’s exit from the Eagles during the offseason was widely considered by team sources to be hastened by Schwartz. Roseman, Pederson, and other decision-makers wanted the veteran defensive end to return in the final year of his contract, but Schwartz wouldn’t guarantee the 34-year-old a role similar to the one he had previously, and Long, who was coming off arguably his best season in five years, retired in May.
Roseman came calling in September, however, after defensive tackle Malik Jackson suffered a season-ending foot injury, sources said. Long’s return to the edge would allow defensive end Brandon Graham to move inside and give the Eagles the same third-down line -- with Fletcher Cox also inside and Derek Barnett on the opposite end -- as in the Super Bowl season.
Long spent two to three weeks working himself back into football shape. Roseman wanted him back, and a return appeared imminent. But after a conversation with Schwartz, in which Long was told to prepare for a lesser role, he relayed to the team that he would stay retired, sources said
Damn Gym Shorts got alot of pull
at his moves now
Jim Schwartz’s sway within the Eagles is unparalleled for a coordinator | Jeff McLane
Chris Long’s exit from the Eagles during the offseason was widely considered by team sources to be hastened by Schwartz. Roseman, Pederson, and other decision-makers wanted the veteran defensive end to return in the final year of his contract, but Schwartz wouldn’t guarantee the 34-year-old a role similar to the one he had previously, and Long, who was coming off arguably his best season in five years, retired in May.
Roseman came calling in September, however, after defensive tackle Malik Jackson suffered a season-ending foot injury, sources said. Long’s return to the edge would allow defensive end Brandon Graham to move inside and give the Eagles the same third-down line -- with Fletcher Cox also inside and Derek Barnett on the opposite end -- as in the Super Bowl season.
Long spent two to three weeks working himself back into football shape. Roseman wanted him back, and a return appeared imminent. But after a conversation with Schwartz, in which Long was told to prepare for a lesser role, he relayed to the team that he would stay retired, sources said
Damn Gym Shorts got alot of pull
at his moves now
Jim Schwartz’s sway within the Eagles is unparalleled for a coordinator | Jeff McLane