The effects of Chip Kelly's busy week are still reverberating through the NFL. Everyone around the league has an opinion. While many have been critical, a few can see a method to Kelly's madness.
A two-time Super Bowl champion coach, an infamous former Eagles executive, and an analyst for NFL.com see what the third-year head coach is building in Philadelphia.
Ex-Cowboys coach a mentor?
Peter King of Sports Illustrated and Monday Morning Quarterback, spoke with former Dallas Cowboys coach Jimmy Johnson, who said that he has become a "sounding board" for Kelly. Now an analyst for FOX, Johnson sees some similarities between Kelly and himself. After a successful stint with the University of Miami, a brash Johnson took the NFL by storm 25 years ago. The only difference is that Johnson's Cowboys teams did not go 20-12 in their first two seasons.
"You can’t be afraid to make moves," Johnson said. "Chip’s not. So some of it is similar. But there is one big difference: We were the worst team in the league two years in a row (1988, 1989). People were ready for a big change."
Banner respects changes Kelly is making
Former long-time Eagles executive Joe Banner, also in MMQB, echoed Johnson's opinion. While Banner remained mum on the changes in the teams personnel department, he spoke glowingly of Kelly's maneuvering. Banner believes what Kelly is doing is something all NFL teams should not be afraid to do, saying that "continuity" can be overvalued around the league.
"I know Chip believes [continuity] matters, too. Anybody in the NFL who has knowledge believes that. But you can take the point too far, and then you get paralyzed," Banner said.
"I think Chip saw an opportunity here, with him being relatively still new in his tenure, with a system he is still implementing, to not feel like he was unable to radically change the roster to be more conforming to what he wants he do, and not overrate the importance of continuity. That’s what’s refreshing here. That’s good. It’s smart. More teams should have been doing this sooner. I think maybe you’ll see it become more common now. Not to this degree; this is very significant. But to see more aggressive moves made that still value continuity, but not overvalue it."
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In a lengthy interview Banner also discussed the departures of LeSean McCoy, Jeremy Maclin and DeSean Jackson, which he understood but admitted was "a little surprising," the addition of DeMarco Murry and Chip Kelly's endgame.
"I think he is getting players that he believes are very talented that best fit the way he wants to use them," Banner said.
Brooks likes what he sees on tape
NFL.com analyst Bucky Brooks not only sees Kelly's vision but also believes the offseason moves will make the Eagles a title contender.
Brooks uses game footage to illustrate how the additions of running backs DeMarco Murray and Ryan Mathews fit Kelly's desire to attack the middle of the field.
"LeSean McCoy's jitterbug running style certainly didn't match the "north-south" premise of Philly's running game," Brooks writes.
"Murray and Mathews have the patience and discipline to attack creases between the tackles. Each runner goes at the line of scrimmage with burst while also exhibiting the poise, body control and balance to slide to another hole if the original lane is clogged. Most importantly, Murray and Mathews routinely hit the hole with their shoulders square to the line, allowing them to jump into open lanes or run through defenders at the point of attack."
Brooks also mentions that tight ends Brent Celek and Zach Ertz, and slot receiver Jordan Matthews will be a focal point of this reconfigured offense. This approach should help the Eagles improve on a meddling red zone offense.
"The offense must be able to score touchdowns instead of settling for field goals in the red zone," Brooks said. "Most pass-happy offenses can operate swiftly between the 20s, but the teams that can run effectively are better equipped to post six points from close up, due to their ability to punch it in from run-heavy sets or use the threat of the run to score off a variety of play-action passes."