PHOENIX – Chip Kelly’s destroy-and-rebuild of the Eagles’ roster this offseason is still being met with skepticism by some local fans and media.
Maybe more than just some.
But other league executives have observed from afar what the Eagles head coach has done since inheriting total personnel power in January, and Kelly has fans in two NFL owners who think the third-year year coach has injected some enthusiasm into the league.
Patriots owner Robert Kraft, whose team has practiced against the Eagles in training camp the past two seasons, said Eagles fans should be thrilled to have Kelly spearheading the franchise.
“It's pretty exciting. If I were an Eagle fan, I'd be excited," Kraft said during a 20-minute chat with reporters at the Arizona Biltmore resort during the owners meetings. "He did an outstanding job in college. I know my head coach [Bill Belichick] has great respect for him, and he's trying to put his stamp on what's going on there.”
Belichick and Kelly are two of the few NFL head coaches with total authority over the roster. Belichick has also won four Super Bowls. Kelly hasn’t even won a playoff game.
Kraft admitted that Kelly faces challenges as the franchise’s top decision maker, a responsibility handed over in January after owner Jeffrey Lurie overhauled the front office and removed Howie Roseman, then general manager, from personnel responsibilities.
Lurie is expected to meet with reporters on Tuesday morning and speak publicly for the first time since the season finale, when he told reporters in the locker room that Roseman would definitely be back in 2015 as the team’s general manager.
Kelly and other NFC coaches will have roundtable media sessions early Wednesday morning.
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Kelly has taken the league by storm over the past few weeks, trading away LeSean McCoy, the franchise’s all-time leading rusher, and quarterback Nick Foles -- along with a second-round pick -- to bring back Kiko Alonso and Sam Bradford, two guys coming off ACL injuries.
He also threw big money at cornerback Byron Maxwell and running back DeMarco Murray but let Pro Bowl wideout Jeremy Maclin walk and still hasn’t replaced him. Kelly also hasn’t found an upgrade or replacement for Nate Allen, who left in free agency to sign with the Raiders.
Kelly’s growing “mad scientist” reputation has enticed a rival owner in his own division. Steve Tisch, who co-owns the Giants along with John Mara, told CSN’s John Clark that Kelly’s bold approach has brought some energy to the team and league.
“I admire him professionally,” Tisch said. “I also think Jeff made a great choice bringing him into Philly. I’m sure he excited the fan base, he ignited the team. He’s a breath of fresh air.”
Tisch drew parallels between the former Oregon head coach and Seahawks coach Pete Carroll, who won two BCS titles at USC before leaving to become an NFL head coach again in Seattle.
“I thought Pete Carroll going to Seattle was great. He also energized the team and he excited the team and the fans loved it,” Tisch added. “He created a tremendous amount of excitement in the locker room and outside of the locker room and I think Chip Kelly has done the same thing in Philly.”