Chip Kelly Update: Almost Respectable

Mark Saltveit FishWrap, FishWrap Archive

from video Chip Kelly’s Eagles are surprising people — after disappointing them — after startling them, like a date with too many tattoos and no job who proves nicer and more respectful than you or your parents imagined. The Birds evened their record at 3-3 and stayed apace with Dallas with a solid, if not spectacular, win against Tampa Bay, …

Chip Kelly Update: Gain, and Pain

Mark Saltveit FishWrap, FishWrap Archive

from Video Since last week, the Eagles won an important game against the Giants, did not give up a turnover, showed play-making ability on defense with three interceptions and took first place in their very weak division with a 2-3 record (they’re ahead of the Cowboys, who are also 2-3, on tie breakers).  DeSean Jackson was named Offensive Player of the …

Chip Kelly Update: Where Do We Stand Now?

Mark Saltveit FishWrap

from Video It’s not exactly a bye week, but the Eagles’ compressed start to the season — 3 games in 11 days — has given them extra time to recover from the discouraging loss at home to Kansas City.  So this is a good time to take stock of where Chip Kelly’s renovation project stands. Here’s the short story: The team’s talent …

Chip Kelly Update: Welcome to the NFL, Noob

Mark Saltveit FishWrap, FishWrap Archive

Kevin Cline In five short days, the euphoria of Chip Kelly’s stunning NFL debut win over the Redskins has been wiped out by an icy blast of reality as cold as the Gatorade bath Andy Reid got last night.  Two quick losses in close games have put Kelly under the worst pressure of his coaching career, encouraging doubters and raising …

No Trap Games on the Ducks 2013 Sked

Victor Flores FishWrap, FishWrap Archive

Kevin Cline One of the biggest fears any fanbase has going into a season is losing to an inferior opponent.  These losses aren’t just unexpected, they’re completely contrary to what fans expect, making them absolutely devastating to the fans of the favored team.  There’s a reason they’re called “upsets.” Luckily for Ducks fans, the past four seasons have basically been …

Chip Kelly Update: Now that he has your attention….

Mark Saltveit FishWrap, FishWrap Archive

from video After careful analysis of expert opinions and game film, the lesson from Chip Kelly’s first NFL game is obvious: Suck It, Doubters. Pundits: “These college plays will never work in the NFL.  Chip’s another Steve Spurrier.  He doesn’t have the personnel.  Mike Vick can’t run this offense.  Cary Williams is a cancer.  Riley Cooper will divide the locker …

Chip Kelly, the Bullfighter

Mark Saltveit FishWrap, FishWrap Archive

Rafael Morán Chip Kelly’s play calling in his NFL debut was effective but not dramatic, with one striking exception.  Late in the second quarter, Kelly called one of the crazier formations you’re ever going to see, perhaps for the first time ever in the pros.  There were only three linemen up front, with a group of three players set wide …

Chip Kelly’s first NFL game: The Good, The Bad and The Duck-ly

Adam Dawkins FishWrap, FishWrap Archive

From Video Chip Kelly’s First NFL Game: The Good, The Bad, and the Duck-ly The eagerly anticipated Chip Kelly Era was inaugurated with as many explosives on the field as there were fireworks off the field, on Monday Night when the Philadelphia Eagles started their 2013 season with a convincing 33-27 victory over NFC East rivals, the Washington Redskins.  It’s time …

No Tyner, No Surprise

Sam Arney FishWrap, FishWrap Archive

Kevin Cline Now that we are officially one game into the season, I can breathe a sigh of relief and satisfaction at finally having watched an Oregon Duck football game again.  As expected, there were very few surprises about Saturday’s game.  And, given the predicted outcome, here are five things that did not, in fact, surprise me: Mark Helfrich kept it under wraps Oregon …

Chip Kelly Update: Boots on the Ground

Mark Saltveit FishWrap, FishWrap Archive

Graeme Main/MOD It’s Go Time.  The Eagles’ final roster is set, their carefully concealed offensive plays and defensive looks are being practiced in secret, and a much-hyped season opener will finally arrive Monday, September 9th, at 4 pm against Robert Griffin III and the Washington Redskins.  (I’ll be at the McMenamin’s Backstage Bar, behind the Baghdad Theater in Southeast Portland, …

Chip Kelly Update: More Oregon Trickeration?

Mark Saltveit FishWrap, FishWrap Archive

 from Video With the Eagles’ season opener against Washington barely more than a week away, fans are anxious after a puzzling game against the Jacksonville Jaguars. Gus Bradley’s team seemed to baffle Philadelphia with their slants and stunts on defense, while Chad Henne (the backup quarterback of this 2-14 team) dissected the Eagles on an opening drive as the Birds gave …