Chip Kelly Update: Playing Through Injuries

Mark Saltveit FishWrap, FishWrap Archive, NFL

In his first three months as general manager of the Eagles, Chip Kelly machine-gunned a stunning series of roster changes that left many observers saying he was over his head in player personnel decisions. He traded RB LeSean McCoy for LB Kiko Alonso, refused to match Kansas City’s $11 million offer for WR Jeremy Maclin, signed two CBs (Byron Maxwell …

The Butterfly Effect: The Spread Offense’s Effect on the Philadelphia Eagles’ Inside Linebackers

Joe Kearns Analysis

What if the flap of a butterfly’s wings in Brazil began a chain reaction that set off a tornado in Texas? This notion raised by MIT meteorologist Edward Lorenz has  implications for causation in physics, economics and yes, football. The rise of the spread offense in the 21st century generated a butterfly effect on defenses. Coaches in bastions of the …

Chip Kelly Update: “I’m not governed by the fear.”

Mark Saltveit FishWrap, FishWrap Archive

The winter and spring are long and barren for a football fan, especially one who follows Chip Kelly. The Eagles coach speaks to the press only at press conferences, and he basically doesn’t have any from the day the team cleans out its lockers after its final game until organized team activities (OTAs) start again in late May. There are …

Chip Kelly Update: Forget Seattle, Beat the Cowboys

Mark Saltveit FishWrap, FishWrap Archive

The Philadelphia Eagles under Chip Kelly keep reaching for the stars. They encourage fans to hope for a Super Bowl run with unselfish teamwork, clever schemes on both sides of the ball, and emerging young talent. Then reality slaps them back down to earth, as the Eagles lose to the top level of NFL teams: Green Bay (at Lambeau), San …

Chip Kelly Update: Quarterback Resistant

Mark Saltveit FishWrap, FishWrap Archive

The Philadelphia Eagles won again, beating Houston 31-21, and have the second best record in the NFL at 6-2.  They also lost three more key starters to injury and continue to play poorly in many respects, leading to lots of crazy statistics. For example, the Eagles have the second lowest red zone efficiency in the league, yet they are the …

Winning the Trenches: The Key to the Oregon Ducks and Philadelphia Eagles’ 3-4 Defenses

Joe Kearns Analysis

There is a reason why defensive line guru Jerry Azzinaro was the one Oregon position coach who joined Chip Kelly on the Philadelphia Eagles’ coaching staff. The 3-4 defensive scheme and two-gap technique are just as important to Kelly as the fast-tempo, zone-blocking, and packaged plays. Azzinaro was Kelly’s right-hand man in installing the 3-4 as the base defense at …

Chip Kelly Update: Vulnerable to Weakness?

Mark Saltveit FishWrap, FishWrap Archive

Chip Kelly’s first season in the NFL ended with a field goal – kicked by the New Orleans Saints as time expired in the Wild Card round of the playoffs. It was a rough ending to a great season, and very likely Michael Vick’s last game as an Eagle.  No one is happy about the loss, close as it was, but …

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 …