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 …

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 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, …

Ducks Plaster the Nicholls Colonels, 66-3

Mark Saltveit FishWrap, FishWrap Archive

Craig Strobeck The Oregon Ducks demolished FCS doormat Nicholls as expected Saturday afternoon, by a score of 66-3, but the game gave the plucky Colonels some reasons to feel proud, and the Ducks’ coaches areas to improve this season. Speculation that the Ducks would pass more under Coach Helfrich proved unfounded on Saturday.  For the first time in history, three …

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 …

Chip Kelly Update — The Eagles are Curing the Cement

Mark Saltveit FishWrap, FishWrap Archive

Chip Kelly got his first win, 14-9 against Carolina Friday, and answered a lot of the questions surrounding his radical makeover of the Eagles. Anxiety among fans and sportswriters turned into swelling excitement as the offense moved into high gear, showing a stout front line against the Panther’s powerful rush and demonstrating some of the deceptively simple flex-plays that Chip …

Chip Kelly Update: the Double Stack Value Meal

Mark Saltveit FishWrap, FishWrap Archive

McDonald’s will sell you a double stack hamburger for a dollar*, an astonishing food value for so little money. Chip Kelly coached his first NFL (preseason) game Friday against the New England Patriots, and served up a heap of double stacks, himself. In this case, the “double stack” is a flexible (aka “packaged”) play with one running back and four …

Chip Kelly Update: Inside the Eagles’ Training Camp

Mark Saltveit FishWrap, FishWrap Archive

Mark Saltveit Lincoln Financial Field — the Philadelphia Eagles’ stadium — is black and modern, with severe angles and a skeletal design.  Even the eco-friendly windmills lined up along the roof have a nasty, heavy-metal look; the intertwined blades look more like Death Scythes than renewable energy generators.  If there was a stadium designed by a brilliant and semi-sympathetic Hollywood …