Medium Splash: Eagles Can Improve Without Breaking the Bank

Feb 21, 2013; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Philadelphia Eagles general manager Howie Roseman speaks during a press conference during the 2013 NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports

Howie Roseman, the General Manager of the Philadelphia Eagles, has inferred recently via CSNPhilly.com that there won’t be a revisitation of the team’s massive spending habits of 2011 while he’s in charge of the team’s personnel. When asked about his free agent philosophies moving forward, Roseman had this to say:

"“It’s interesting, because when you look at it, if you can sign a bunch of guys that maybe aren’t the high-priced guys, you have a chance to kind of have a batting average, as opposed to if you sign one or two big-priced guys and one or two don’t work out, it kind of puts you in a bind.”"

With the idea in mind that the Eagles will not be primary players for common hot-button names such as Buffalo Bills safety Jarius Byrd, Cleveland Browns safety T.J. Ward, or Washington Redskins outside linebacker Brian Orakpo, I’ve created a list of players who could fit the bill as secondary market “budget” signings without sacrificing production. The intent is not to fill the roster holes with overhyped former Pro Bowlers and it should go without saying that I don’t expect all of these players to sign, but continuing to build with silver-tier talent would emphasize the competitive culture that head coach Chip Kelly has been intent on creating.