" 'Whatever it takes.' That's a very powerful statement," the Eagles general manager said. "We'd like Evan back, and we're in constant communication with his representatives."
Indeed, even if the Ravens set up barricades on I-95, the Eagles will get an opportunity to match a Baltimore offer. They pretty much have Mathis' agent, Drew Rosenhaus, on speed dial with client DeSean Jackson's deal done on Wednesday and with negotiations with client LeSean McCoy ongoing (more on that later).
But how high are the Eagles willing to go to match? Mathis didn't have an offer as of Thursday evening. He visited the Ravens' facility during the day, went out to dinner with team officials in the evening, and told the Carroll County Times that he was sticking around for another day.
"It was a good meeting with the Ravens," Mathis said to the paper. "I think it's a good fit."
Even if Mathis leaves Baltimore without an offer, there are reportedly other suitors. The Redskins and Colts have been mentioned. But how much are they willing to pony up for a 30-year-old guard whose one good season could arguably be a product of a system?
But what a season Mathis had last year executing Howard Mudd's blocking techniques and working with perhaps the Eagles' best offensive line in years.
The Eagles have to ask themselves if they can find a guy as good as Mathis if they're willing to let him walk.
Last August, Mathis was that guy. He showed up at training camp an unknown. Is it possible Mudd can work his magic on some other journeyman, the inexperienced Julian Vandervelde, or a draft pick?
Will left guard matter as much with the other four spots on the line - tackles Jason Peters and Todd Herremans, center Jason Kelce, and right guard Danny Watkins - settled?
Also still to be resolved is the Eagles' gaping hole at linebacker. None of the top free agents has signed a contract yet, but the Eagles have yet to schedule a visit with a linebacker, let alone any player.
"I think we're looking at some things," Roseman said.
They may have to be a little more impatient with the linebacker market heating up some. Curtis Lofton and David Hawthorne are scheduled to visit the Saints over the next few days. Dan Connor, formerly of the Panthers, Penn State, and Strath Haven High, signed a two-year deal with Dallas on Thursday.
Stephen Tulloch, meanwhile, reportedly said that he wouldn't take less than the $42.5 million that the Browns' D'Qwell Jackson signed for last month. It's hard to imagine Tulloch getting that much with teams spending so much on receivers and cornerbacks.
With DeSean Jackson on the books for the next five seasons, many are wondering if McCoy - who has a year left on his contract - will be the next to be knocked out. The Eagles and the running back have been negotiating since the end of the season but have yet to agree on an extension.
Meanwhile, former Eagles defensive end Juqua Parker, an unrestricted free agent, signed a one-year contract with the Browns.
Contact Jeff McLane at 215-854-4745, jmclane@phillynews.com or follow on Twitter @Jeff_McLane.
