Image courtesy profootballspot.com
OUR opponents know that we’re a team that is largely dependent on finesse to run the ball, and you know what? That shouldn’t change. After all, that IS who we are now. It’s what this city (not so much this fan) fell in love with last year. Why overhaul what works? And yes, I still think it works, I just think it’s stuck at the moment.
So how do you get it unstuck? Simple, you run the ball.
Not a single offensive lineman on this roster (starter through 3rd string) played under Chip Kelly, or in a system similar to this in college. That means they all learned how to drive block for the run at some point. Most of the linemen we have were NFL veterans when Kelly was hired, which means they blocked for the run not just in college, but also at the pro level already. My point is they know how to do it. They may not be naturally gifted for it, and they may be rusty at it, but they do know how to do it.
What would help to get us ‘unstuck’ would be to mix in a basic dive here and there. No pulling. No zone. No counter. Just a few basic “body on a body, and man on a man” type plays, where LeSean McCoy knows ahead of time that it’s a quick hitter, and that zero time to dance is built into the play.
On too many of these runs to the outside, McCoy is being greeted by 2 and 3 tacklers, because they flow straight to the edge since they know we don’t really attack the middle with McCoy. Hey, did anyone notice where Darren Sproles 2 longest runs of year were? They were right up the gut. If Sproles can make his way through grabs and arm-tackles, you can bet your ass that McCoy can. We just need to commit to doing it.
We’ve gotten so fancy now, that we’ve forgotten about the basics. That it’s your heart and not your 40 time that makes you great. We’re so smart now that we’ve even started outsmarting ourselves, and strayed from the truth that at its heart, this is a violent sport, and that violence is not just reserved for defensive players to dish out.
Let’s not overlook the physical toll it takes on a defender to fight off an offensive lineman, and then try to bring down a RB with a full head of steam. Some downhill running would take some of the wind out of defenders who’d later have to chase McCoy to the edge, or hustle over to help on a bubble screen. If they’re beat-up already, the likelihood that they can make a play goes down.
We don’t get much of that right now. At games end, opponents are starting to look fresher than we do. Near the end, did the Rams look at all tired to you last week? They seemed to be surging from where I sat.
I’m a throwback type. I believe if you cut off a man’s head, he can’t outsmart you. If you break your enemy’s body, he can’t break yours. It’s why the finesse style can’t appeal to me. That being said, the pace we play at, by itself, won’t break a team. We need to lay hands on and physically break a team. We need to run them down. Run them over. Back up. Do it again. You want to get the running game back on track? Get back to basics. THAT’S the way you do it.
How do you get unstuck? Simple. You run the goddamn ball.
EAGLEMANIACAL.com 
I would love to see that. And maybe thats Chips longterm strategy. Its a long season and keeping players fresh for a whole year is a job in itself. But if thats part of the strategy to keep players fresh then its time to unveil some physical play now. Teams are on to our sweeps and so forth so you might as well add to the the playbook.
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Chip Kelly’s record since coaching the Eagles is 15-7. For as good as he’s been you would think this team were 7-15 with all of the complaining that’s come from fans since he’s been here.
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Fans ran the best coach in franchise history out of here the very same year his son died. No head coach will EVER (at least in my lifetime) have an easy way to go here.
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Fans didn’t run reid out. He did it to himself. His son dying was just another fuck up in his egocentric life. Fact is he got as far away from the media as possible. His story of steroid distribution on Eagle campus by his son potentially could have been the biggest story in sports. Some how it was kept from the public.
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I agree with Hollywood to a point. Reid’s poor decisions (allowing his sun to bring illegal steroids to a FOOTBALL FACILITY is one of them) are what got him run out of town. Reid was fired by Lurie and that was due to Reid being inept for two seasons. Reid’s own agent used his sons death ( WITH REID’S APPROVAL) to try and weasel in a contract extension. Reid could have taken more time off to take care of his own sons, but chose not to. I’m not going to have a pity party for Reid when the man himself seemed to move on from all of his family issues like they were nothing.
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Color me surprised. Two guys who were practically waving “Fire Reid” banners don’t think we run players and coaches out of here.
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Knowing what I know about the Eagles FO I can’t see how anyone would think the fans would have a say in such things. I could name countless decisions made by Lurie and the brass that went completely against what the fans wanted. I’ve never heard or seen one statement where the FO said they made a personnel decision off the fans. Ultimately Reid’s 12-20 record the final two years in Philly is what got him canned. Those final years (dream team, Oline/D coordinator named Juanita, wide 9, overpaid bums, and horrible draft picks) were his death nil as coach here in Philly. He left the franchise in ruin. I know you have had this stance of “fans ran Reid out,” but I see no proof of such stance.
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We will never see eye to eye on the Reid thing. fact is he’s the Chiefs coach now. Your stance is good riddance. Okay
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There’s nothing to see eye to eye on. Believe me if I truly felt I ran Reid out of town I would pound my chest and say so. The reality is Reid got himself fired, because his message went stale, he lost his team, and frankly it was time to go. It’s not like he was at the top of his game when he left. I do appreciate the Fletcher Cox draft though.
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Reid is obsessed with his career. Its easy to throw yourself into something and ignore the people around you or pretend problems dont exist. Reid was a very capable coach but not at well rounded person. He looked down at the fans. His answers to questions were a symptom of an ego that wasnt held to account. He had a very defensive personality. I think Chip is a very intelligent coach that realizes its a game that means alot to people but its a game. Chip is fan friendly and has his own signature. So far I have to admit Lurie made a very intelligent choice. But lets hope he doesnt handcuff Chip.
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I do not miss Reid. Not even a little. I’m happy he’s gone, and I could care less if he succeeds or fails in KC. He’s their problem now. On to our guy. Chip does things I find a little unconventional, but so far he’s been fairly successful with it. I’m willing to give him the benefit of doubt. 5-1 at the bye and I’m happy, because I know we haven’t even hit our full potential let. Imagine if we do?
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I agree EZ. Chips got a unique style and it may turn out not to be suited for the NFL. But so far in his own quirky way he has held the team together and appears to have captured some momentum. Is it look to be a model of success ? I cant say that yet but I dont see a implosion around the corner. Right now he appears to have a grasp on things. His play calling is solid. His game day coaching seems steady and he makes adjustments. I think the organization has done a good job rounding out the team. Now they need an impact player or two to put them over.
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I agree with you. Moving on from Reid, Kelly has done a fine job so far and he’s righted many of Andy’s screw ups. Time will tell like you mentioned if this will work in the NFL. What I do like is (and why I think Chip will be able to succeed in the NFL) is Chip is willing to adjust his offense for the talent he has. He went from never going under center to running numerous plays under center in order to jump start his run game. Andy Reid provides only lip service of “I gotta do a better job” and then he would do the exact same thing. I can’t help but to think all of these injuries the Eagles have been receiving lately would all b season ending if Reid were here. It seems like Chip is even ahead when it comes to taking care of his players. Reid’s still in the up adjustable Stone Age where he has a guy like Jamaal Charles and refuses to use him. It’s been so long since we had a guy who you know was more than capable of making half time adjustments. Willing to tailor his offense to the player and not try and turn a player like Mike Vick into something he wasn’t.
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I think thats a very fair assessment of Reids rein in Philly. He had a decent model that he followed . Rode on the back of an excellent QB and when things didnt play out to form had a difficult time changing. He was an utter failure in maintaining good player relations. He had a tendency to be a manipulator and a liar. Just wasnt at all impressed with Reids character. I can tell you watching Harbaugh in Balto it was a mistake to let him go. He should have been an Eagle coach and when he left was the right time to dump Reid.
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Reid’s entire coaching staff took major hits over the years. That is a factor. He lost a bunch of great coaches and the guys he replaced them with just couldn’t get the job done. He thought his offense would score at will so that’s why he went with the Wide 9, but that was a miserable failure. You need real linebackers to play the wide 9. Reid never believed in the position.
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