Is Chip Kelly Ruining the Philadelphia Eagles?

[polamalubeast]

When Chip Kelly jumped from the Oregon Ducks to the Philadelphia Eagles in January 2013, the Eagles' offensive core consisted of quarterback Michael Vick, running back LeSean McCoy and wide receivers DeSean Jackson and Jeremy Maclin.

Here we are just over two years later, and in that time frame, the Eagles have scored more points and compiled more yards than everyone else in the NFC, falling second to only the Denver Broncos in the league-wide rankings in both categories.

And yet now they've officially parted ways with all four of those Pro Bowl offensive players.

It was somewhat understandable when they gave up on Vick after the 2013 season. He was inconsistent and mistake-prone, and he was outplayed by the younger Nick Foles.

But then Kelly and Co. caused jaws to drop with the shocking release of Jackson following a career year in 2013.

Last week, more jaws dropped when the Eagles agreed to trade McCoy, a two-time first-team All-Pro, to the Buffalo Bills. And this week, ESPN's Chris Mortensen is reporting that Maclin, who is also coming off a breakout season, will sign with the Kansas City Chiefs in free agency.


Regardless of whether the Eagles wanted Maclin back—and Jason La Canfora or CBS Sports reports that they did—they clearly didn't value him as much as others. They have a lot more salary-cap space than the Chiefs, but they decided not to offer the five-year veteran the type of money he'll be making in Kansas City.

Fine, that move on its own wouldn't raise eyebrows. A lot of teams would decide against paying $11 million per year to a receiver with just one 1,000-yard season under his belt.

But combine that with Kelly's decision to deal McCoy away in exchange for a second-year former Oregon pal who has never been to a Pro Bowl and who spent the entire 2014 season on injured reserve. Then add the strange and still sort of mysterious release of Jackson, who had off-field baggage but led the league in deep receptions in 2013, per Pro Football Focus.

Consider also that Vick is gone, as is longtime defensive leader Trent Cole (released last week), and you begin to wonder if Kelly has become too stubborn about his personnel, too obsessed with giving this team his preferred identity.


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http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2...delphia-eagles

[fansince'76]

Funny, seems like just yesterday that this dude was being hailed as some sort of coaching wunderkind...

[st33lersguy]

Not a good offseason for Chip Kelly

[Dwinsgames]

lets be fair here ... none of the moves to this point have hurt them

lets also be fair on the McCoy - Alonzo deal has yet to prove to be a bad move , he was def rookie of the year I believe and spent last year on IR , hell of a football player to a team that needed Linebacker help , Cole has not been a great player as of late . Good but not special just 6.5 sacks last season and was due to make 10 million this year ...

it just goes to show you if you try hard enough you can spin an article to look like whatever you want if you omit important details and exaggerate others

[86WARD]

Ruining? I doubt it. On paper, it looks like a decent off season so far. If all the rumored transactions come true, like someone said, he traded McCoy for Gore, Maxwell and Alonso. Not a terrible trade. I think they botched the Maclin negotiations, but there are plenty of WRs out there at the moment and the Eagles still have Foles as a possible trade option. If they package him with some first round draft picks, they might be able to get up to the number one pick overall...

I think it's too early to say he's ruining the team. He just wants his fingerprints ALL OVER IT.

[st33lersguy]

Who are going to be their offensive weapons, they lost their top weapons

[86WARD]

They lost two players. McCoy and Maclin. McCoy wasn't himself last season in Kelly's offense still decent, but not LeSean McCoy good and Maclin can be easily replaced. He's not special. He was good, but there's other good WRs out there and the Eagles have money to spend...so it's this question really isn't relevant at the moment. Sproles is still there. Ertz is still there. Cooper is still there...plus whoever they add through free agency...

[Count Steeler]

And there is always Sanchez signing for another 2 years. At least backup QB is set.

I think the Eagles have done well so far. Alonso and Maxwell are pretty good additions for their defence.

[steelreserve]

I don't think they've done badly at all. They've dropped three $10M a year guys at positions that are relatively easy to replenish; now they've replenished one for less money (Gore) and spent some of it on a position that is difficult (Maxwell). Now just to pick up a couple receivers, which are a dime a dozen, and they're way ahead of where they used to be.

[salamander]

The Eagles haven't really done much to really hurt themselves...though I still hope they fail miserably because I'm surrounded by Philly fans where I live.

[86WARD]

The Eagles haven't really done much to really hurt themselves...though I still hope they fail miserably because I'm surrounded by Philly fans where I live.

This.

[steelreserve]

The Eagles haven't really done much to really hurt themselves...though I still hope they fail miserably because I'm surrounded by Philly fans where I live.

I've always found Eagles fans to be hilariously pessimistic. Like, even when the team is good, they're all saying, "Well, we're winning, but it can't be long until we fail again." Even the people calling in to the sports talk shows on the radio are like that, and so are the hosts. Although actually, the whole city is kind of like that, not just about sports. Was not my favorite place in the world to live.

[Pappy]

I think this coach knows exactly what he's doing. And I think he is going to prove it. McCoy has been in the league for 7 years, way past the normal for a running back and he got back a great young linebacker in return. The draft is full of a great many very good young running backs and wide receivers and the eagles will be better off with their cap and be able to be more flexible with the rest of free agency. I thought his moves made total sense. The eagles will be better off because of it.

[tube517]

[86WARD]

Ryan Matthews is expected to sign in Philadelphia.

[polamalubeast]

Another injury prone for Philadelphia!

[86WARD]

Maybe Chipper is collecting players that can't spend a full season on the field?

Don't get Gore and go with Matthews as a replacement? Matthews can't stay healthy...he'd be a good back to have as a back up cause his carries would be limited...I'm sure he'd still find a way to get injured...