Catch a Falling Star: What Now, Chip Kelly?

Marc Burton Editorials

At one time or another we all slogged through basic literature and were tutored in the Greek structure for the dramatic story, that of Beginning, Middle and End. So if Oregon (my alma mater) was the beginning, and San Francisco (my home) the end, then I feel as though I’ve had a front row seat to the story arc of …

Fixing the Philadelphia Eagles

Noah Smith NFL

With the early season struggles of the Philadelphia Eagles, suddenly everyone is breaking their legs jumping off of the Chip Kelly bandwagon — proclaiming that they saw it coming. Everyone has their magic fix for the offense: “If LeSean McCoy were still here they’d be winning,” one will say, or “Jeremy Maclin is the magical missing piece.” I’d even bet …

NFL’s Defense of Terrell Suggs a Problem for the Game

Jimmy Friedricks FishWrap, FishWrap Archive

In week 2 of the NFL preseason, Sam Bradford made his first start for the Philadelphia Eagles after recovering from a second ACL tear that sidelined him for most of last season. He was impressive, completing 3-of-5 passes and leading the Eagles to a touchdown in his only drive of the game. But what stuck out to me was Terrell Suggs’ incredibly dirty …

Ascending Eagles — Bradford and Tebow

Noah Smith FishWrap, FishWrap Archive

With the NFL preseason around the corner, all of the intrigue that has been building throughout the offseason will finally be seen on the field. One of the most interesting stories coming out of Eagles camp this year has been surrounding Chip Kelly’s two new quarterbacks – Sam Bradford and Tim Tebow. Both players have looked impressive thus far, with Bradford looking …

Sam Bradford the Next Drew Brees? Chip Kelly Thinks So

Noah Smith FishWrap, FishWrap Archive

The NFL off-season was filled with talk about Chip Kelly and Marcus Mariota, the match made in heaven that was so good it couldn’t possibly happen — and it didn’t. Now they’ve moved on to talking about Kelly and Sam Bradford. Kelly’s the coach so desperate for a headline, he traded for a QB coming off of two ACL tears in the …

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 …

The Dawn of the Second Coming: The Oklahomafication of Chip Kelly’s Offense

Joe Kearns Analysis

Judging by the numbers, the Philadelphia Eagles had one of the best NFL offenses last season. They ranked third in scoring, fifth in total yards, sixth in passing yards, and ninth in rushing yards. However, PhillyVoice writer Jimmy Kempski persuasively argues the fast-tempo positively skewed the Eagles’ offensive statistics. Apparently, Eagles head coach Chip Kelly also decided the numbers didn’t add up, …

“The Dutchman” and the Original Vertical Passing Game

Noah Smith Men of Oregon: Players and Coaches

In Oregon’s history, there have been many players and coaches of note — from coach Cal Young and his one-game inaugural season in 1984 to Chip Kelly and Marcus Mariota. Although most people say Mariota is the greatest Oregon player of all time, another man held that honor since the 1950s. Back in the era of leather helmets, the hero of …

Why the Eagles Fumbled on the Chance to Take Marcus Mariota

Tyler Timm FishWrap, FishWrap Archive

Within the last year, and especially within the last three months, there has been a lot of speculation about where Marcus Mariota would end up in the NFL draft. Multiple scenarios swirled around as the draft began to get closer and closer. No team was mentioned more than the Philadelphia Eagles, due to the fact that Chip Kelly (the person …

Eagles Making One Final Push for Mariota

Caleb Couturie FishWrap, FishWrap Archive

After months of Chip Kelly mind games, it appears the Eagles are making one final push for Marcus Mariota. It’s unclear whether the Eagles are trying to trade for the No. 2 spot in the draft, or if they will try to land Mariota after the dust settles, but regardless it has Duck fans everywhere starting to buzz. ESPN’s Adam …

Just Duckin’ Around — Dion Jordan and Chip Kelly Reunion in the Works?

Noah Smith FishWrap, FishWrap Archive

We have all found out this offseason just how much of an “Oregon East” the Philadelphia Eagles have become under Chip Kelly, with the blockbuster trade for Kiko Alonso being the shining example of this. As Kelly continues to rebuild this team in his own image, the weeks that follow the draft could be just as interesting as the ones that …

On Wings of Eagles — Chip Kelly’s Plan for Tim Tebow

Noah Smith FishWrap, FishWrap Archive

Many people assumed that one of the NFL‘s most polarizing players, Tim Tebow, was done as an NFL player.  Despite these assumptions, one coach, Chip Kelly, decided to sign him.  Kelly’s signing a polarizing player who many people doubt can even be a backup in the NFL shouldn’t surprise anybody, as Kelly has shown time and again that he doesn’t …