Chip Kelly's 'football mind' critical in transition to NFL
Jeffrey Lurie emphasized that the Eagles hired "a brilliant football mind." When I asked around about Chip Kelly, discussion didn't center around the offensive system he ran at Oregon. It was about his mind.
Chip Kelly's 'football mind' critical in transition to NFL
Zach Berman, Inquirer Staff Writer
From the outset of the coaching search, the Eagles targeted Chip Kelly. After 16 days that included an aggressive pursuit of the Oregon coach followed by Kelly deciding to stay with the Ducks, Kelly had a change of heart and accepted an offer to come to the Eagles. Jeffrey Lurie and Howie Roseman got their man.
There will be much time during the next few days for dissection and analysis, but a few points to cover now:
1) The Eagles hired a mind, not a system
Lurie emphasized that the Eagles hired "a brilliant football mind." When I asked around about Kelly, discussion didn't center around the offensive system he ran at Oregon. It was about his mind, and how he can adapt. Kelly's teams are meant to play fast, maximize the amount of plays in a game, and identify and exploit mismatches.
Kelly might not be able to run the Oregon offense in the NFL. But the Eagles didn't hire him for the Oregon offense. They wanted Kelly's mind, which is universally praised. And they figure he'll be able to adapt.
2) Pay attention to Kelly's staff -- especially his defensive coordinator
Kelly's background was actually on defense, but he's made his name on offense. In fact, his defensive coordinator at Oregon said that in four years, Kelly's never changed a call. Kelly will need to hire a strong defensive coordinator who knows the NFL. The Eagles defense needs help, and a fresh, authoritative voice will be important for Kelly's success.
3) How Kelly works with Howie Roseman will be critical
Before the Eagles recruited Kelly, Kelly said he had twice met Roseman on scouting trips. So there was a relationship prior to the meetings. Now, Kelly and Roseman must work together to rebuild a flawed roster that went 4-12 last season. As The Inquirer's Jeff McLane reported, Kelly did not require full control. The Eagles did not want to give full control. Kelly will report to Lurie. So will Roseman. They will work together to make roster decisions. But this is a roster that needs a lot of help, and both Kelly and Roseman have much to prove.
First roster move, dump Vick!— Pineapple Betafish- Howie and Chip will work fine together. Two candy arse NFL neophytes. No commanding presence in the Eagles FO or coaching staff. I hope they cut all the vets as nobody going to respond to these dopes now. You though Reid lost a tram of vets....ain't gonna be pretty folks— glove69
- expect howie to draft geno smith. an undersized kid with a high motor. kinda like jaicqwan jarrett, brandon graham, danny watkins and neshiem te'o and nate allen
— hannibal barca - Please explain how Geno Smith is undersized?? 6'-3" and 215 lbs. for a QB is far from undersized. — GreenScabs
- it's "your," genius — hannibal barca
- This is a great pick-up! I had my doubts about Lurie but he is the man right now!— neozon
- Lurie is smart and knows to be successful you have to hire smart people.— PsychoPathetic1
- Come on MRDoosh get in here and paste that drivel. We all want to hear ur insightful crying ya big tw@t— bhamss1
- This time next year we will be wishing Reid was back! This time in 3 years they will be looking for a replacement!!!!— psd
- Look for a big Phillies trade. These teams like to 1 up each other.
— henry hill - lol. it will be a pitcher. — bloodymess
- The guys who sign on the "Will wish Reid was back " rolls can plan to hold there meetings in a phone booth.— NewMick314
- I'm on board with this hire. Let's wait and see how it plays out before passing judgement.— lowflyer
- Nice to have enthusiasm and energy after so many years of a taciturn iconoclastic sort. Please, please now give us back our Kelly green uniforms that are our heritage. Enough with the black....that's Raiders and Steelers- not Eagles. We soar in Kelly green, silver, and white!— tomficara
