Chip Kelly Update: Playoff Time

Mark Saltveit FishWrap, FishWrap Archive

It wasn’t easy and it wasn’t pretty, but the Philadelphia Eagles showed a lot of grit and poise in grinding out a 24-22 win against the hated Dallas Cowboys, to advance to the playoffs in Chip Kelly’s first year. Think about that for a second: Chip was never a head coach in his lifetime, until 2009. In the five years …

Chip Kelly Update: A Defensive Mastermind

Mark Saltveit FishWrap, FishWrap Archive

from Video Chip Kelly seems to spend half his life fighting shallow stereotypes about his teams.  He’s a passing demon!  No, wait — he’s obsessed with running.  Well, he demands running quarterbacks, right?  In any case, he has a huge book of tricky plays.  Or is it a small book of flexible plays?  They all come fast . . . …

Chip Kelly Update: Leading the division, taking a week off

Mark Saltveit FishWrap, FishWrap Archive

from Video The Philadelphia Eagles are now in first place in the NFC East, on track to make the playoffs just a year after finishing last and losing 11 of their final 12 games.  They have their bye this week, well timed to heal up some injuries and refocus for the final push. It won’t be easy.  In December they …

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: Nick Foles, Superstar

Mark Saltveit FishWrap, FishWrap Archive

Two weeks ago, against the Dallas Cowboys, Nick Foles had one of the worst games any NFL quarterback has thrown (up) this year.  Today, he’s in the NFL Hall of Fame.  Literally – as we speak.  Foles destroyed the Oakland Raiders, 49-20, last Sunday by tossing 7 touchdowns (3 to former pariah Riley Cooper), tying the league’s record for TDs in …

Chip Kelly Update: Rock Bottom & Rock Bottomer

Mark Saltveit FishWrap, FishWrap Archive

from Video Four weeks ago, I thought the Eagles had hit rock bottom with their 52-20 loss to Denver.  If only . . . Part of that was the schedule.  They had just lost to the dominant Broncos, the (still undefeated) Chiefs and the surprising Chargers.  Ahead was a parade of cream puffs: the Giants, Tampa Bay, Dallas (less so), …

Chip Kelly Update: Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Foles

Mark Saltveit FishWrap, FishWrap Archive

from Video Two weeks ago against Tampa Bay, Nick Foles was the best quarterback in the NFL.  He was the NFC Offensive Player of the Week, throwing for 22-of-31, for 296 yards and 3 TDs, and even ran in a touchdown.  His QBR (ESPN’s quarterback rating) was 89.8, and he was leading the NFL in completion percentage (at 58.3%) for …

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: 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 …