The Times Herald (Norristown, PA)
Birds showing Roseman deserves to be appreciated
The photograph is familiar, a memento from the Eagles’ Super Bowl championship victory in 2018, Howie Roseman lifting the Lombardi Trophy over his head, his hair not mussed, his tie not loose, his smile one of utter contentment.
To some Eagles fans, it is iconic. To others, ironic.
To those in between, it was evidence that Roseman deserved better treatment from a criticchorus than he’d received almost ever since.
Sports being sports, and pro sports being a particular pit of potential pickiness, owners and general managers and coaches and quarterbacks, just to name a few, are ever at risk for overthe-top criticism. Comes with the ticket fees. But the constant battering of Roseman as an incompetent football fool has been a sturdy exhibit of evidence that Philadelphia fans have a reputation for a reason.
Too often, they are intolerant bullies, hiding in talk-radio or social-media packs, practicing group-think, choosing their favorites, picking on those declared unfit for their jobs. Since the Eagles were 4-11-1 last season and had begun this one horribly, Roseman was in a perfect spot to be blamed.
Then, a resurgence began, continuing Sunday with a 40-29 victory over the visiting New Orleans Saints, the Eagles’ third victory in four games, enough to shove them into reasonable conversation about the postseason.
It began with Jalen Hurts turning from ordinary to spectacular. That would be Hurts, the quarterback Roseman drafted in the second round while being heckled that he should have invested in whatever some draftnik thought.
It began with DeVonta Smith playing like a veteran, not a rookie. That would be Smith, whom Roseman was able to acquire after multiple maneuvers heading into the last draft.
It began with T.J. Edwards emerging as a special linebacker when few were looking. That would be Edwards, sniffed out as an undrafted free agent.
It began with Darius Slay, who returned an interception