Chip Kelly Update: To DeSean or Not to DeSean?

Mark Saltveit FishWrap, FishWrap Archive

That is the question. At Oregon, Chip Kelly made it clear that he does not consider team stars untouchable if they don’t fit within the culture.  He dismissed Jeremiah Masoli (his starting quarterback) and Cliff Harris (All-American cornerback and returner) from the team outright, and suspended running backs LeGarrette Blount and LaMichael James, each of whom was the team’s biggest …

Chip Kelly Update: Matt Cassell Shoots Down Eagles

Mark Saltveit FishWrap, FishWrap Archive

The Minnesota Vikings were desperate Sunday in the MetroDome.  Not only was star running back Adrian Peterson (last year’s NFL rushing leader) out injured, so was his more-than-capable backup Toby Gerhart.  Desperate people are dangerous though, and as Tommy Lawlor said, the Vikings were backed into a corner and came out swinging. Swinging in this case meant throwing the ball. …

Chip Kelly Update: Maybe He Is a Genius After All

Mark Saltveit FishWrap, FishWrap Archive

from Video The Eagles consolidated their recent gains by knocking off division-leading Green Bay, 27-13.  It was a solid win (and their first against a team with a winning record).  Nick Foles did not have another Hall-of-Fame-type of game.  He started with some tentative play that brought back grim memories of his terrible showing against Dallas, but he steadied himself in …

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: Torn ACLs and Racial Incidents

Mark Saltveit FishWrap, FishWrap Archive

feature photo by Jimmy Kempski Training camp finally opened for the entire Eagles team, and Chip Kelly faced adversity almost immediately.  First, injuries: not one but TWO ACL tears in the first three days, by #2 receiver Jeremy Maclin and newly acquired linebacker Jason Phillips.  Maclin is a big deal for the Eagles, despite criticism for softness (some call him “self-tackling”); …