Following Saturday afternoon's practice, after all the players had left the field, Roseman loomed on one of the practice fields, pacing back and forth while calmly talking on his phone. Eventually, Roseman was joined by other members of the Eagles brass, including team president Joe Banner.
A few minutes later, Roseman called over defensive coordinator Juan Castillo, who had been hanging out on an adjacent practice field with his family. Roseman then said something that brought a huge smile to Castillo's face and elicited a mutual fist-bump before Roseman proclaimed, "You're gonna have to buy me dinner tonight Juan!"
Then, word trickled out as to the reason for Castillo and Roseman's joy. The Eagles had once again swooped in for a premier free agent, agreeing to terms with defensive lineman Cullen Jenkins on a five-year deal reportedly worth $25 million. Jenkins, who notched 7.0 sacks last season as a 3-4 defensive end for the Super Bowl champion Green Bay Packers, is the fourth top-tier defensive addition of the past 72 hours, joining Nnamdi Asomugha, Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie and Jason Babin.
Where does the 6-foot-2, 305-pounder fit with the Eagles?
"He's a heck of a player, fits what we're doing on defense, and adds to our defensive line group," said Roseman to the group of reporters still gathered at the practice fields. "On third-down, he rushes from inside. We think he makes a difference in that role. In this defense and in this scheme, it really utilizes all his talents."
Another shoe dropped at defensive tackle following the announcement of the Jenkins acquisition when Brodrick Bunkley was traded to the Cleveland Browns for a 2012 fifth-round draft pick. That leaves Jenkins, Mike Patterson, Antonio Dixon and Trevor Laws, among others.
Meanwhile, the Jenkins addition is another example of what is clearly becoming a trend – players being so attracted to the Eagles that they're willing to accept team-friendly deals to become a part of what is promising to be a special 2011 season. Reports are that Jenkins, like Asomugha and Babin before him, left money on the table to come to Philadelphia.
"You do get that sense," said Roseman. "He had opportunities to go elsewhere, and he was a highly-coveted player. He decided to come to Philadelphia and we had to make that happen.
"People want to come to Philadelphia because of the organization, having Coach Reid, and having a quarterback like Michael and the players we have here. I think they're all great selling points. When you talk to agents, people want to come to Philly."
Even though there were a few more moves to come on the day – the Bunkley trade, re-signing Akeem Jordan and waiving Noel Devine – the lasting memory of a whirlwind start to the free agency period will be the playful back and forth between an admittedly punch-drunk Roseman and Banner, who was comfortably sitting in the back of the press tent, teasing Roseman with questions like "Are you done yet?"
Mid-way through the makeshift press conference, when asked if the team has any money left to add to the roster, Roseman deferred to Banner, who evoked Stone Cold Steve Austin by answering emphatically "Oh hell yes."
Neither of the two, nor Andy Reid presumably, has slept more than a couple hours a night since the league proceedings opened on Tuesday. But what a ride it's been so far, and what a ride it promises to be moving forward.
As for the reporters, their ride home will have to wait until Roseman's off the phone.
