Chip Kelly: 'Bigger people beat up little people'
"We want taller, longer people because bigger people beat up little people," Kelly said. This has not been the Eagles' philosophy in recent seasons.
Chip Kelly: 'Bigger people beat up little people'
Les Bowen, Daily News Staff Writer
PHOENIX --- New Eagles coach Chip Kelly held his most extensive media session since he took the job two months ago, chatting with waves of curious reporters gathered for the NFC coaches' breakfast at the NFL Meetings.
The Chipper's main message was that he is not coming in as some sort of miracle worker/genius whose ideas will revolutionalize football. (Even if that is what he hopes for, there is no advantage to having the rest of the league eager to watch the "smart guy" fail.)
"We don't run some magical offense or defense,' Kelly said. At another juncture, when asked about NFL people who think the spread option won't last in the NFL, Kelly shrugged.
"I would say they could be right," he said. "Anybody can say whatever they want. I don't have a crystal ball."
Then he subtly indicated that such thinking might be outdated. "Twenty years ago, if you had told people (the NFL) was going to end up throwing the ball 60 to 70 percent of the time, that would have been seen as a recipe for disaster."
Kelly remained reluctant to talk in any depth about his personnel until he sees the players on the field, which won't occur until the special minicamp granted new coaches, starting around April 15.
But asked if the eight free agent signees last week indicate a trend toward the longer, leaner athletes he preferred at Oregon, Kelly agreed.
"We want taller, longer people because bigger people beat up little people," Kelly said. This has not been the Eagles' philosophy in recent seasons.
Asked about his fast-paced practices, in terms of installing systems this spring, Kelly said he will "teach to the fastest learner. Everybody else's gotta catch up."
Kelly confirmed that Florida State quarterback EJ Manuel will work out for the Eagles next week.
He said he intends to hold a practice, not a walkthrough, the day before the game, sans pads. "We're going to run around a little bit," he said.
"We want taller, longer people because bigger people beat up little people," Kelly said. This has not been the Eagles' philosophy in recent seasons.
I hope this quote is noted by all the people who keep repeating over and over how Howie's going to draft nothing but little guys with "high motors". I agree that it was an annoying thing every year to see them wasting picks on guys everyone (but them) knew wouldn't last with the lack of size, but it's all we keep hearing when the discussion is the draft.— joeydub- That was all Reid's doing. Before we even had roseman in charge of picks we were picking up small RBs and WR's.
- First off, let me say that I never was happy with all those undersized players the Eagles drafted (although Brian Westbrook certainly turned out pretty good, as did DeSean Jackson). However, the Eagles problems really didn't start until JJ died and Joe Banner went on a power trip. — corpo
- Just when Andy Reid had all of the Kool Aid drinkers (like tpizza, etc.) convinced that the best way for the Eagles to win a SB was with midgets like M. Kendrix, Daniel Teo Neshim, Trevor Lindley, Casey Mathews, Jaquan Jarrett and Brandon "too short, too slow, arms like twigs" Graham. Now, we learn that we need big, strong, talented tough guys. Andy Reid the best Kool Aid sales man in history.— BP2
- Half time at the hanging? I heard there is a new lynch mob forming in South Africa for theBlade Runner. Better hurry, wouldn't want to miss out on that one.
— tpizza - a breath of fresh air!— gmr18901
More propoganda out of the Novacare Complex. What's he supposed to say he wants a undersized meak team???Lemmings will suck this up... (HTML deleted)— Professor1982- More propoganda out of the Novacare Complex.
What's he supposed to say he wants a undersized meak team???
Lemmings will suck this up...— Professor1982 - I never understood why Reid drafted smaller players constantly! He was drafting 265 lb DEF linemen. WTF!! It's the NFL, BIG wins EVERY TIME.— warrentheape
- Reid's teams got pushed around too much. Looks like Kelly's looking to put some dawg back in this team. Very refreshing indeed. Professor1982, please go jump off a bridge. Thanks.— beegal99
- No more of Andy Reid's "fastballs"? I always thought Andy had his sports crossed.— knighn
- Yes, just in time for the league to outlaw tackling.— 2ndNlong
- I'm looking forward to see who he drafts. I wanna see what positions he concentrates on. I would like to see a couple of big fast wideouts here too. Judging from the free agents that he brought in, it appears only Connor Barwin is considered a long-term solution.— Hack Wilson
- All of Nnamdi ad DRC uniforms were clean last year, even though they played every game! Go figure!
Signed
Juan Castillo— ricciaje - It started with an emphasis on speed, the fastest guys tend to be smaller, a trend started by J. Johnson and the 90s Cowboys. Really, it is foolish to limit yourself at all in the NFL, they need to concentrate on each player individually and how they perform, not follow some kind of template. I am way on board with Chip's comments, I felt there was a loss of perspective with the speed obsession, bigger guys do beat up little guys, but what is needed is an escape from rigid thinking and a return to balance, adjustment and aggression.— EagleEye61
