Those firmly entrenched in the camp hoping that NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell announces that the Philadelphia Eagles have chosen West Virginia quarterback Geno Smith with the fourth overall choice may be in for a long night next Thursday.
Eagles general manager Howie Roseman met the media at great length discussing the Birds' draft plan and philosophy in advance of next Thursday's NFL draft. Roseman spent much of the discussion lauding the depth along the offensive and defensive lines in this year's draft class.
"This really is a meat and potatoes draft," Roseman said. "It's not exactly the flashiest thing, but it's exciting because NFL teams really are built along the lines."
With aging offensive tackles and a need for a nose tackle to anchor the defensive line, the Eagles certainly are in the market for an impact lineman in this draft with several immediate impact prospects available when they go on the clock.
Throw in an open competition at quarterback between four players after the team released veteran backup Trent Edwards Monday evening, paired with Smith likely remaining on the board, and there certainly is potential for spirited debate in the war room next week.
One thing Roseman made clear, however, it is that when it comes to the quarterback position, the Eagles have no intention of reaching just for the sake of hoping a player develops into a franchise quarterback.
There are few positions in sports where whiffing on a high-profile pick can be as detrimental to a franchise as at quarterback.
"I'll take it one step forward," Roseman said. "You're passing on a player that you think will be a really good player at a different position. Like anything in this draft, you want to be sure. You don't want to take someone because you think.
"We're not going to force anything. Our draft board may not be the same as people in this room or people outside of this room, but we feel very comfortable with the process and where we're at."
Sure, Smith may be on the Eagles board and may be well regarded within the organization after the front office, including owner Jeffrey Lurie, traveled to work him out in Morgantown, WV and again hosted him for a visit at the Novacare Complex in recent weeks.
However, given Smith's shaky performance in the Pinstripe Bowl and recent doubts about his leadership that have surfaced, there may be just enough questions to keep Roseman and company away.
"You look at last year, and I think the expectations are out of whack on groups going forward because last year was a unique group," he said. "When we look back at that group, I think it's going to be one where people look at and say it was a rare opportunity in the NFL, certainly at the top when you talk about those guys. If you take out last year and compare it to other years, it falls more in line."
The 2012 draft class was certainly a once in a generation type bounty at the quarterback position, including Andrew Luck, Robert Griffin III and Russell Wilson. Even the most ardent of Smith and E.J. Manuel supporters understand that reaching those levels of production and expectations are unreasonable for this year's class.
Sure, the Eagles would like a franchise quarterback, but in Nick Foles, they may already have one on the roster. The second-year quarterback became the first rookie in league history last season to complete over 60 percent of his passes while averaging over 240 yards per game. Yet, even if head coach Chip Kelly and the Eagles feel that there is a void at quarterback, it's unlikely that they will spend the fourth overall pick to fill that need in what is a subpar class for the position.
Names like Manuel and Arizona's Matt Scott will be available in later rounds, The key for the Eagles, especially in the first round, is that they cannot miss. If the front office views Smith to be a franchise caliber quarterback, by all means they will pull the trigger.
But this organization knows from past experiences and mistakes at several other positions, successful franchises don't draft for position simply because a player at the position is available.
Matt Lombardo is a contributor to Bleacher Report, as well as an on-air personality on 97.5 FM The Fanatic in Philadelphia, join the conversation and follow Matt on Twitter: @MattLombardo975
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