Chip Kelly shows signs of 'smartest man in room' syndrome

Either Chip Kelly has major onions or he is suffering from the same thing Andy Reid suffered from, a case of trying to be the smartest man in the room. It's a syndrome that some NFL coaches are diagnosed with; a syndrome that this city knows all too well.

We certainly remember Reid's "I'm smarter than you" moments. We heard it at news conferences. We saw it in decisions such as hiring a defensive-line coach (Jim Washburn) before hiring a defensive coordinator who was formerly an offensive-line coach (Juan Castillo). Then there was the release of Brian Dawkins, only to pass on Earl Thomas for Brandon Graham. I could go on.

Chip has certainly shown some of the same arrogance. Releasing Desean Jackson after a career year and calling it a "football decision." Trying to sell a bright fan base that Riley Cooper will be a solid contributor as a No. 2 receiver. And scoffing at the notion that time of possession is relevant in the NFL.

Then came this week's blockbusters. Gone are longtime veterans Todd Herremans and Trent Cole, two staples dating to the Reid era. Cary Williams was handed his walking papers after two less-than-stellar seasons that featured sconces, scrimmage scuffles, referring to himself as "Employee 26," and being on the losing end of one-on-one coverages more often than not.

All that was followed by the biggest news of all, the stunning report that LeSean McCoy was being dealt to Buffalo for linebacker Kiko Alonso.

I was a staunch defender of McCoy during his "down year" in 2014, one in which he still finished third in the league in rushing, behind only Dallas' DeMarco Murray and Pittsburgh's LeVeon Bell, two guys who had breakout seasons.

McCoy was the one who made the Eagles offense click, and I have been completely against the idea of moving him in a draft-day package that would land quarterback Marcus Mariota. Needless to say, I'm not enthralled by a deal that would net a linebacker who didn't play in 2014.

Alonso, coming off ACL surgery in July, says he expects to be ready for camp this summer. "I anticipate being 100 percent before camp. I feel very, very good with where I'm at. By camp, I'll be full go," he told BuffaloBills.com.

Maybe he will. Maybe he won't. We've seen Adrian Peterson come off a relatively similar injury and run roughshod over the competition. We've also seen Robert Griffin III look like a shell of himself and not regain his rookie form.

Chip could know something we don't, but I wouldn't deal a 26-year old running back who just amassed 1,319 yards last season – and has plenty of value left -- for a young linebacker coming off a major injury. If healthy, Alonso has promise.  In his rookie year of 2013, he compiled 159 tackles (including 87 solo), four interceptions (one less than Williams had in two years with the Eagles), and two sacks. Did I mention he played at Oregon?

It's apparent that Kelly is going to do things his way, after emerging victorious in the power struggle with Howie Roseman. Some people believe in surrounding themselves with smart people and collaborating to achieve a greater end result. Others want to be the sole decision maker and ride or die with their own decisions. I can't fault Kelly for that; I just wouldn't do it that way.

So where do we go from here? The Eagles have Darren Sproles and Chris Polk at running back. I assume they'll draft a running back in the middle rounds, perhaps Nebraska's Ameer Abdullah, who ripped off 1,611 yards and 19 touchdowns last year. Kelly could decide to make a play for Reggie Bush, on the cheap, or maybe the oft-injured C.J. Spiller, whose time in Buffalo appears to be done.

You might replace McCoy's production, collectively, but in no way, shape or form can you replicate the impact he has had on the field.

One of two things can happen next.

Kelly can bolster the defense via free agency, with more than $50 million in cap space, similar to the approach the 2011 Eagles took when they attempted to build a "dream team," with names such as Asomugha, Rodgers-Cromartie and Babin, and then spin a bunch of 2015 draft picks into Marcus Mariota.

Or, as the NFL Network's Daniel Jeremiah suggests, Chip keeps the draft picks and stockpiles talent on defense with the belief that he can insert whomever on offense because his system is vastly superior to NFL defenses.

Your guess is as good as mine, after McCoy's departure. One thing I know for sure is that Kelly is exuding the same symptoms of his predecessor, a case of "the smartest guy in the room" syndrome. The 2015 Eagles season has begun with a bang. Let the ride begin.