Eagles extend GM Heckert through 2011

By John McMullen

(The Phanatic Magazine) - The Philadelphia Eagles extended the contract of general manager Tom Heckert through the 2011 season Friday, and promoted Howie Roseman to vice president of player personnel.

Roseman replaces Jason Licht, who had a falling out with Heckert.

“I feel we have strengthened our personnel staff today by extending Tom’s contract and by promoting Howie Roseman,” head coach Andy Reid said. “Tom’s leadership and work ethic has continued to impress me over the years. Tom has also done a great job of nurturing and incorporating Howie’s talent into the personnel side of the organization. Howie has demonstrated a sharp eye for talent evaluation along with a knack for creative draft and free agent strategies. Both Tom and I feel Howie will be an excellent addition to the Philadelphia Eagles personnel staff.”

Now is in his eighth season in Philadelphia, Heckert works closely with Reid in all player personnel matters while managing the player personnel department. He originally joined the Eagles as the club’s director player personnel in 2001, and was promoted to vice president of player personnel 2003 and to general manager in 2006.

Prior to arriving in Philadelphia, Heckert served a 10-year stint as a member of the Miami Dolphins player personnel department. Over his 17-year career in the NFL, Heckert’s teams have experienced just one losing season, won their division eight times and made the playoffs 12 times, including five in Philadelphia.

Roseman, formerly the team’s vice president of football administration, is in his ninth year with the Eagles. He joined the team in 2000 as salary cap/staff counsel. He was elevated to director of football administration in 2003 and to vice president of football administration in 2006.

In his new role, Roseman, 33, will work closely with Reid and Heckert in all aspects of the player personnel department. He will manage the college scouting staff, organize and run draft meetings, and scout the top college prospects throughout the country. Roseman will continue to play a large role assisting Reid and Heckert with unrestricted free agency and roster moves throughout the year

In his previous role as the team’s vice president of football administration, Roseman spent a significant amount of his time working with Heckert in the personnel department evaluating players around the NFL and for the draft. He also represented the team to the NFL on contract, salary cap, and player personnel matters.