Howie Roseman has never limited his roster-building education to the NFL.
The Eagles' general manager continues to study successful organizations across professional sports, searching for principles that can help Philadelphia evolve before the rest of the league catches up. During an appearance on Daniel Jeremiah's relaunched “Move the Sticks” podcast, Roseman pointed to the Los Angeles Dodgers, New York Knicks, Oklahoma City Thunder, New York Yankees, Philadelphia Phillies and San Antonio Spurs as organizations worth examining.
Each example offered a different lesson.
Roseman praised Phillies president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski for remaining aggressive while trying to improve a contender. He also cited Yankees general manager Brian
Cashman’s ability to survive and succeed through nearly three decades in New York. The Spurs provided another example. Roseman has spent time with longtime executive R.C. Buford and watched San Antonio transition from one championship era into the beginning of another.
The common theme is evolution.
Roseman believes teams that wait for a trend to become obvious will pay a premium to follow it. His goal is to identify the next movement before it becomes popular, giving Philadelphia an opportunity to acquire undervalued players or resources. That approach has shaped the Eagles’ investments in quarterbacks, offensive linemen, defensive linemen and versatile defenders. Success creates its own danger because contenders can become too committed to the methods that previously worked. Roseman’s willingness to study other leagues helps challenge that comfort.
The Eagles are not simply trying to follow the NFL’s current roster-building model. Roseman wants them positioned to establish the next one.
This article originally appeared on Eagles Wire: Dodgers, Spurs among teams influencing Howie Roseman’s approach
