Face it. Not a single person thought Chip Kelly was still up for grabs. Not a single person thought the Eagles were capable of blindsiding their fans and the nation. Everyone thought they knew where the Eagles were going. Most assumed Gus Bradley, while some were watching Ken Whisenhunt closely. As we attempt to reach readers through our page, we try to bring you breaking news as quick as possible. I can tell you now that I had the outline for a Gus Bradley post as soon as he was hired, littered with jokes and Andy Reid references. Now, I'm writing about a guy that was lurking in the shadows for two weeks.
Between school and work, people were not glued to the radio or TV. The rumbling rumors weren't reaching many people, but when it became official, everyone stopped what they were doing. I, myself, was watching Scott Hartnell get slammed into the boards by Jakub Voracek at the Flyers Skate Zone. Surrounded by hundreds of Philadelphia fans, you could hear the whispers. As I scrolled through Twitter between drills, I couldn't believe it. When my buddy passed my phone to his dad, his dad refused to believe it. "I'm not calling you a liar. I just don't believe it." That's how everyone felt. But after practice was over and a flipped on the car radio, everything was confirmed. The Eagles and Chip Kelly successfully trolled (link) football fans everywhere, especially Oregon and Pennsylvania.
The reaction has actually surprised me. I was expecting mostly open arms and rejoicing crowds. Flags would be flown and the trumpets would sound. Crowds of fans would carry Chip from his plane to the press conference (scheduled for tomorrow at 1:30). Instead, two of the first three calls I heard labeled the move as a "disaster" for the Eagles. One even went so far as to refer to Kelly as Steve Spurrier in Washingotn. Oy. Even some of the radio hosts were skeptical, calling the move exciting and risky. Several tweeters have called it high risk, high reward. Now, even as I write this, the discussion has turned to 49-year-old Chip Kelly's personal life. He has neither a wife nor kids, and just lives football. This prompted one caller to go so fr as to call Kelly "the next Vince Lombardi" of the league.
*stares crazily at radio*
Anyway, the reaction has been interesting. The hiring raises so many questions for next season. Will Kelly keep up the schemed offense he ran at Oregon, or will he scale is back a bit? That decision probably rests with the quarterback, which has become another question. It seemed certain that Michael Vick was on his way out after the season. Nick Foles had gotten a few starts, and was ready to take the reigns. Now, with the offense Kelly brings to the eagles, Vick could return. Though some believe there is no chance of this, there are those that not only see him back in midnight green (or whatever color Phil Knight may make the team, with some suggesting "Chip Kelly Green"), but see him performing well under Kelly. It may come down to what the coach wants. So who would Kelly want under center? Take a look at this article sent to us by reader Pat Dougherty.
In the article, Chip Kelly describes his admiration for Nick Foles when he was playing for the Arizona Wildcats. Take his words how you may, but you have to believe Kelly wants Foles in his system. Would it work? He wasn't much of a running QB in Arizona, something vital to the system. Perhaps he could adapt, but Vick fits that mold better than Foles.
The other question mark stemming from the Eagles hiring is the position of defensive coordinator. So many names remain, but who would fit well with Chip Kelly? One of the most popular names to emerge is Lovie Smith, the recently fired head coach of the Chicago Bears (replaced by a CFL coach). His teams have been notorious for rushing the passer and ranking among the top teams in each defensive category. However, I don't see him taking a coordinator position. After being a head coach for several years, even taking his team to the Super Bowl, Smith would probably be hesitant to take anything less. My opinion? Picture this: After shocking fans with the Chip Kelly move, how could the Eagles take this madness one step further? Convince Gus Bradley to be the next defensive coordinator.
Let it sink in.
Kelly and Bradley have been the two biggest names associated with the Eagles this offseason, so bringing them in together would be unimaginable, yet possible. I'm not saying it will happen. I'm just saying keep an eye out.
Since I'm not exactly an Eagles fan, I thought it would be best to get some Philly fan's perspective on the whole situation. Here's some of what you guys said:
Pat Stewart: For QB, they might draft Geno Smith or Colin Klein.
I think they give Foles one more shot before grabbing another young guy. Alex Smith sounds like more of a possibility (but he'd look better in Jet green…)
Kevin Dickson: Only one head coach job still available I believe (Arizona), and I haven't heard his name in that sweepstakes. Look for Lovie to be DC somewhere. His offenses are always bad and his defenses are always pretty good. If not in philly, look for him to get hired somewhere as a DC.
Nick Russo: If he (Lovie Smith) becomes a DC, it's a waste of a great HC hiring by all these teams. I'd love for Dallas to demote Garret back to OC and hire him as HC. But that'll never happen.
Johnnie Sharp: Nick Foles is our bright young quarterback, and he will excel in an offensive style that Chip Kelly will bring. Our offense will look like New England's minus the tight end packages.
That's a bit of a stretch.
Charles Tursi: Definitely going to be a big change in Philly! Let's just hope it's what fans were looking for….. More wins.
Let us all hope.
In case you were wondering, yes. People are once again stalking a coach, and have found his flight.
Again, let's up he doesn't keep up on social media.
Maybe his offense will fail miserably in the NFL. Maybe he'll take the team back to the Super Bowl in two years. Either way, I see the hiring as a good move for the team. Chip Kelly is a fresh face for the team, an innovator and motivator for the players. He's not afraid to speak his mind, and could bring much success to the team. Sure, the lack of NFL experience is concerning. But his competitive spirit and genuine passion for the sport, combined with absolute intelligence and intense drive, should be a ray of hope for Eagles fans. His character will be fun for the fans and an improvement for the players. I believe in Chip Kelly's ability, and I see him raising the Eagles up from the NFC East's basement.
Andrew Gillen is a contributor for Eagledelphia. Follow him on Twitter @AndrewJGillen
