*Official 2015 Philadelphia Eagles* - Winning when it doesnt count (2 Viewers)

[Bigboy10182000]

@MattLombardo975: Todd Herremans on Evan Mathis' release:"Evan kind of brought some of this on himself." #Eagles http://t.co/d93SdJL1k8 http://t.co/2s5AKXIIOq

"I think it's unfortunate for Evan," Herremans told Anthony Gargano on 97.5 FM The Fanatic Friday morning. "He kind of brought it on himself by not showing up. If you're going to violate some of the things that they expect us to do then you have to be able to deal with what comes next.

"I think it's very unfortunate how it all went down. It's tough to not draft any offensive lineman and get rid of both of your starting guards in one offseason. Chip's got a plan. Nobody really knows what it is, but he has a plan and he's putting it into action."

As for the fact that Mathis elected to sit out the voluntary portion of the Eagles' offseason program, Herremans isn't surprised that he met his fate Thursday.

"Chip's main goal is to get everyone in his roster that wants to stay in shape,' Herremans explained. "The way he looks at it is that if you're not here during the voluntary stuff, when all of your teammates are, trying to work together to win ... That means that you don't want what anyone else wants. That means you want money. You don't want to win.

"That wasn't true. I know that Evan wasn't happy about his contract. I know he also wanted to win. He's a monster in the gym. I know he was working out in the gym and keepin ghimself in shape. I know that wasn't an issue. It was more of the team camradarie, the bonding and needing him there ... What's going to make you think that if someone's not coming to all of the voluntary stuff? That doesn't give you a real good feeling that they're going to show up to the mandatory stuff."

There were reports that Mathis was planning on attending next week's mandatory minicamp, but after his months-long protest he now won't have that chance.

"I think of Evan as a pretty professional person," Herremans said. "He's not a guy that's going to bring the rest of everyone else down while he's there. He would have come in, done his work and gotten back out to [his home in] Phoenix, as quick as he could."

 

[unckeyherb]

Tre Thomas on Mikey Miss basically said that he thinks there were definitely protection issues and problems with cohesiveness last year with Mathis/Peters and that Barbre is not only NOT a downgrade, but in many ways potentially an upgrade.

 

[Bigboy10182000]

FWIW, Mathis was set to be the oldest starting OL in the NFL this season

 

[sspunisher]

Wow Kelly is something else. He'll be back in college in two years, max.

Why?

Because it's the "chic" thing to say.

He never struck me as a coach who wanted to be in the NFL. He had countless offers and rejected many of them many times before joining Philly. Was a bit "convenient" that he finally left for the NFL once Oregon started getting investigated, not that the investigation amounted to much but either way, it's worth mentioning.

He clearly has an NFL mind and I even recall many NFL coaches consulting him when he was in college. He also has that head coach presence about him, from being a disciplinarian to something as simple as being organized.

But two things really stand out: His inability to handle the business side of the NFL and players just don't seem to like him (some issues we saw with Saban, Harbaugh, Schiano for example).

In terms of the business side, inability is a strong word, it's more like inexperience at the moment but I feel like the writing is already on the wall. Contract situations, trade demands, hold outs, skipping workouts, these are all things a college coach doesn't usually deal with. He will never have the control in the NFL that he had in college.

In terms of players not liking him, yes, he's a no-nonsense, straight forward coach but for some reason he doesn't command respect from players the way a BB or Parcels did. His players are complaining the way Schiano, Harbaugh and Saban's players did.

Bottom line, there's a constant inflow and outflow of players in college, no one has to deal with him for more than 4-5 years and they are all a bunch of 18-22 year olds anyway. I feel like he'll eventually realize college is where he prefers to be after this NFL coaching experiment is over.

 

[Amused to Death]

Wow Kelly is something else. He'll be back in college in two years, max.

Why?

Because it's the "chic" thing to say.

He never struck me as a coach who wanted to be in the NFL. He had countless offers and rejected many of them many times before joining Philly. Was a bit "convenient" that he finally left for the NFL once Oregon started getting investigated, not that the investigation amounted to much but either way, it's worth mentioning.

He clearly has an NFL mind and I even recall many NFL coaches consulting him when he was in college. He also has that head coach presence about him, from being a disciplinarian to something as simple as being organized.

But two things really stand out: His inability to handle the business side of the NFL and players just don't seem to like him (some issues we saw with Saban, Harbaugh, Schiano for example).

In terms of the business side, inability is a strong word, it's more like inexperience at the moment but I feel like the writing is already on the wall. Contract situations, trade demands, hold outs, skipping workouts, these are all things a college coach doesn't usually deal with. He will never have the control in the NFL that he had in college.

In terms of players not liking him, yes, he's a no-nonsense, straight forward coach but for some reason he doesn't command respect from players the way a BB or Parcels did. His players are complaining the way Schiano, Harbaugh and Saban's players did.

Bottom line, there's a constant inflow and outflow of players in college, no one has to deal with him for more than 4-5 years and they are all a bunch of 18-22 year olds anyway. I feel like he'll eventually realize college is where he prefers to be after this NFL coaching experiment is over.

Current or former?

 

[Bigboy10182000]

Wow Kelly is something else. He'll be back in college in two years, max.

Why?

Because it's the "chic" thing to say.

He never struck me as a coach who wanted to be in the NFL. He had countless offers and rejected many of them many times before joining Philly. Was a bit "convenient" that he finally left for the NFL once Oregon started getting investigated, not that the investigation amounted to much but either way, it's worth mentioning.

He clearly has an NFL mind and I even recall many NFL coaches consulting him when he was in college. He also has that head coach presence about him, from being a disciplinarian to something as simple as being organized.

But two things really stand out: His inability to handle the business side of the NFL and players just don't seem to like him (some issues we saw with Saban, Harbaugh, Schiano for example).

In terms of the business side, inability is a strong word, it's more like inexperience at the moment but I feel like the writing is already on the wall. Contract situations, trade demands, hold outs, skipping workouts, these are all things a college coach doesn't usually deal with. He will never have the control in the NFL that he had in college.

In terms of players not liking him, yes, he's a no-nonsense, straight forward coach but for some reason he doesn't command respect from players the way a BB or Parcels did. His players are complaining the way Schiano, Harbaugh and Saban's players did.

Bottom line, there's a constant inflow and outflow of players in college, no one has to deal with him for more than 4-5 years and they are all a bunch of 18-22 year olds anyway. I feel like he'll eventually realize college is where he prefers to be after this NFL coaching experiment is over.

Was it also convenient that he chose the NFL and not another college job where he would have got paid again and had everything he previously had in Oregon?

FYI....he still doesn't handle the business side. He just has the final say now, Contracts and things of that sort are still on Howie

How would you know the respect he or any of the coaches you mentioned commands?

 

[sspunisher]

Was it also convenient that he chose the NFL and not another college job where he would have got paid again and had everything he previously had in Oregon?

FYI....he still doesn't handle the business side. He just has the final say now, Contracts and things of that sort are still on Howie

How would you know the respect he or any of the coaches you mentioned commands?

A player not attending an involuntary workout because he is unhappy with his contract is a business issue. Obviously I'm assuming this is why Mathis was released.

Players who respect a coach don't suddenly start talking bad about him once they leave town. McCoy suddenly had a lot to say about Kelly. I remember Cary Williams complaining about practices and how he was the only one "man enough" to step forward, implying other players were grumbling behind closed doors.

I'm obviously speculating but... I've watched this movie before. I don't see him sticking around.

 

[Amused to Death]

Was it also convenient that he chose the NFL and not another college job where he would have got paid again and had everything he previously had in Oregon?

FYI....he still doesn't handle the business side. He just has the final say now, Contracts and things of that sort are still on Howie

How would you know the respect he or any of the coaches you mentioned commands?

A player not attending an involuntary workout because he is unhappy with his contract is a business issue. Obviously I'm assuming this is why Mathis was released.

Players who respect a coach don't suddenly start talking bad about him once they leave town. McCoy suddenly had a lot to say about Kelly. I remember Cary Williams complaining about practices and how he was the only one "man enough" to step forward, implying other players were grumbling behind closed doors.

I'm obviously speculating but... I've watched this movie before. I don't see him sticking around.

What if he does the unthinkable and is actually successful?

 

[sspunisher]

I'm obviously speculating but... I've watched this movie before. I don't see him sticking around.

What if he does the unthinkable and is actually successful?

Haha well then I guess I'll be wrong. Do you guys really see him as the Eagles head coach for the next 10 years? Or even 5? I'm not being sarcastic I'm actually curious how you feel about him long term. I absolutely do not see it happening.

 

[Bigboy10182000]

Was it also convenient that he chose the NFL and not another college job where he would have got paid again and had everything he previously had in Oregon?

FYI....he still doesn't handle the business side. He just has the final say now, Contracts and things of that sort are still on Howie

How would you know the respect he or any of the coaches you mentioned commands?

A player not attending an involuntary workout because he is unhappy with his contract is a business issue. Obviously I'm assuming this is why Mathis was released.

Players who respect a coach don't suddenly start talking bad about him once they leave town. McCoy suddenly had a lot to say about Kelly. I remember Cary Williams complaining about practices and how he was the only one "man enough" to step forward, implying other players were grumbling behind closed doors.

I'm obviously speculating but... I've watched this movie before. I don't see him sticking around.

How many people left and how many people spoke bad of him?

McCoy had a lot to say and it was about Chip being a racist. After Chip filling McCoys position with black people. When you reflect on his comments do you see this as a Chip or McCoy issue? Easy choice there.

Cary did mention the practices and as far as guys who have had issues with Chip you have him and Desean Jackson if you're keeping score. How many have come and gone in that time and suggested players don't like Chip? Cary Williams and that's it.

 

[Bigboy10182000]

I'm obviously speculating but... I've watched this movie before. I don't see him sticking around.

What if he does the unthinkable and is actually successful?

Haha well then I guess I'll be wrong. Do you guys really see him as the Eagles head coach for the next 10 years? Or even 5? I'm not being sarcastic I'm actually curious how you feel about him long term. I absolutely do not see it happening.

5 is a lock

10 is also possible. Use Reid, Andy as an example.

 

[sspunisher]

How many have come and gone in that time and suggested players don't like Chip? Cary Williams and that's it.

And Tra Thomas. Obviously not many players, but all of them have implied that other players had issues as well. He's barely been in the league 2 years, there is definitely some smoke here.

 

[Bushead]

Was it also convenient that he chose the NFL and not another college job where he would have got paid again and had everything he previously had in Oregon?

FYI....he still doesn't handle the business side. He just has the final say now, Contracts and things of that sort are still on Howie

How would you know the respect he or any of the coaches you mentioned commands?

A player not attending an involuntary workout because he is unhappy with his contract is a business issue. Obviously I'm assuming this is why Mathis was released.

Players who respect a coach don't suddenly start talking bad about him once they leave town. McCoy suddenly had a lot to say about Kelly. I remember Cary Williams complaining about practices and how he was the only one "man enough" to step forward, implying other players were grumbling behind closed doors.

I'm obviously speculating but... I've watched this movie before. I don't see him sticking around.

How many people left and how many people spoke bad of him?McCoy had a lot to say and it was about Chip being a racist. After Chip filling McCoys position with black people. When you reflect on his comments do you see this as a Chip or McCoy issue? Easy choice there.

Cary did mention the practices and as far as guys who have had issues with Chip you have him and Desean Jackson if you're keeping score. How many have come and gone in that time and suggested players don't like Chip? Cary Williams and that's it.

I would also point to the Herramans article posted above earlier - he was cut/released and doesn't seem to be holding any animosity towards Chip or his philosophy

 

[Bushead]

How many have come and gone in that time and suggested players don't like Chip? Cary Williams and that's it.

And Tra Thomas. Obviously not many players, but all of them have implied that other players had issues as well. He's barely been in the league 2 years, there is definitely some smoke here.

And Tre Thomas was also on the radio today saying Barbre is an upgrade at LG

Not to mention the rest of the OL being quoted as saying they don't need him. Before he was cut, Peters said he didn't know if he would start when/if he came back

I don't think this is near the big deal it's being made to be. He wasn't happy with the money and/or the program, so they gave him a chance to be happy. 34 year old guard who was good, but won't be the downfall of the team

 

[Bigboy10182000]

How many have come and gone in that time and suggested players don't like Chip? Cary Williams and that's it.

And Tra Thomas. Obviously not many players, but all of them have implied that other players had issues as well. He's barely been in the league 2 years, there is definitely some smoke here.

Tra Thomas said "some players feel there's a hint of racism"

If you're buying what he heard or McCoy said you're beyond reach.

If what you're going with is smoke every coach will be in college in 2 years.

 

[sspunisher]

Tra Thomas said "some players feel there's a hint of racism"If you're buying what he heard or McCoy said you're beyond reach.

If what you're going with is smoke every coach will be in college in 2 years.

Thomas's comments were even more concerning b/c he was a part of the staff. He was clearly biting his tongue and more importantly, not denying anything that was said which in and of itself says a lot.

In your defense, Kelly is still creating the team in his image, he still has a lot of players from the previous regime. Ideally, these problems will slowly go away as the team becomes more and more compromised of players he personally drafted or signed.

But this is an impatient, fast-moving NFL nowadays. The coaching hot seat comes quickly and without warning. Harbaugh went from media darling head coach to fired in the span of what, 4 years? 2 NFC championship games, 1 Super bowl appearance, 44-19 record in SF and he got fired because of his toxic relationship with players.

It's not exactly common to hear former players and staff complain so openly about a coach (especially one with such a short tenure) so I do feel like it's a sign of things to come in Philly.

 

[Long Ball Larry]

Wow Kelly is something else. He'll be back in college in two years, max.

Why?

Because it's the "chic" thing to say.

Bottom line, there's a constant inflow and outflow of players in college, no one has to deal with him for more than 4-5 years and they are all a bunch of 18-22 year olds anyway. I feel like he'll eventually realize college is where he prefers to be after this NFL coaching experiment is over.

How many NFL players really stay with one team longer than that?

 

[Long Ball Larry]

Tra Thomas said "some players feel there's a hint of racism"If you're buying what he heard or McCoy said you're beyond reach.

If what you're going with is smoke every coach will be in college in 2 years.

But this is an impatient, fast-moving NFL nowadays. The coaching hot seat comes quickly and without warning. Harbaugh went from media darling head coach to fired in the span of what, 4 years? 2 NFC championship games, 1 Super bowl appearance, 44-19 record in SF and he got fired because of his toxic relationship with players.

Certainly HArbaugh seemed to have some problems with the players, but ultimately wasn't it more about his strained relationship with Baalke, who had the power to fire him? Kelly now answers to no one but the owner and the owner seems to be fully on board and is generally pretty conservative when it comes to change.

 

[Bigboy10182000]

Tra Thomas said "some players feel there's a hint of racism"

If you're buying what he heard or McCoy said you're beyond reach.

If what you're going with is smoke every coach will be in college in 2 years.

But this is an impatient, fast-moving NFL nowadays. The coaching hot seat comes quickly and without warning. Harbaugh went from media darling head coach to fired in the span of what, 4 years? 2 NFC championship games, 1 Super bowl appearance, 44-19 record in SF and he got fired because of his toxic relationship with players.

Certainly HArbaugh seemed to have some problems with the players, but ultimately wasn't it more about his strained relationship with Baalke, who had the power to fire him? Kelly now answers to no one but the owner and the owner seems to be fully on board and is generally pretty conservative when it comes to change.

He's trolling. Comparing Chip to Harbaugh is just BS. Jed York walked into a meeting Harbaugh was having and Harbaugh looked at him and said "this meeting is for men only". Chip is in that same boat though

 

[Insein]

I'm obviously speculating but... I've watched this movie before. I don't see him sticking around.

What if he does the unthinkable and is actually successful?

Haha well then I guess I'll be wrong. Do you guys really see him as the Eagles head coach for the next 10 years? Or even 5? I'm not being sarcastic I'm actually curious how you feel about him long term. I absolutely do not see it happening.

I expect him for the next 3 seasons since that's what his contract has. He won't be fired. Perhaps Lurie will even offer him a new contract since he's won 63% of his games so far.

 

[ShaHBucks]

I'm obviously speculating but... I've watched this movie before. I don't see him sticking around.

What if he does the unthinkable and is actually successful?

Haha well then I guess I'll be wrong. Do you guys really see him as the Eagles head coach for the next 10 years? Or even 5? I'm not being sarcastic I'm actually curious how you feel about him long term. I absolutely do not see it happening.

I expect him for the next 3 seasons since that's what his contract has. He won't be fired. Perhaps Lurie will even offer him a new contract since he's won 63% of his games so far.

Got rid of 63% of the roster too Jk, but now is where he'll really be evaluated.

 

[Insein]

I'm obviously speculating but... I've watched this movie before. I don't see him sticking around.

What if he does the unthinkable and is actually successful?

Haha well then I guess I'll be wrong. Do you guys really see him as the Eagles head coach for the next 10 years? Or even 5? I'm not being sarcastic I'm actually curious how you feel about him long term. I absolutely do not see it happening.

I expect him for the next 3 seasons since that's what his contract has. He won't be fired. Perhaps Lurie will even offer him a new contract since he's won 63% of his games so far.

Got rid of 63% of the roster too Jk, but now is where he'll really be evaluated.

Well yea. I think he's being evaluated every minute he's employed.

 

[JetMaxx]

Tra Thomas said "some players feel there's a hint of racism"

If you're buying what he heard or McCoy said you're beyond reach.

If what you're going with is smoke every coach will be in college in 2 years.

Thomas's comments were even more concerning b/c he was a part of the staff. He was clearly biting his tongue and more importantly, not denying anything that was said which in and of itself says a lot.

In your defense, Kelly is still creating the team in his image, he still has a lot of players from the previous regime. Ideally, these problems will slowly go away as the team becomes more and more compromised of players he personally drafted or signed.

But this is an impatient, fast-moving NFL nowadays. The coaching hot seat comes quickly and without warning. Harbaugh went from media darling head coach to fired in the span of what, 4 years? 2 NFC championship games, 1 Super bowl appearance, 44-19 record in SF and he got fired because of his toxic relationship with players.

It's not exactly common to hear former players and staff complain so openly about a coach (especially one with such a short tenure) so I do feel like it's a sign of things to come in Philly.

Do you think McCoy, Jackson, Williams, and Mathis have a fixed or growth mindset?

 

[Balco]

Tra Thomas said "some players feel there's a hint of racism"

If you're buying what he heard or McCoy said you're beyond reach.

If what you're going with is smoke every coach will be in college in 2 years.

Thomas's comments were even more concerning b/c he was a part of the staff. He was clearly biting his tongue and more importantly, not denying anything that was said which in and of itself says a lot.

In your defense, Kelly is still creating the team in his image, he still has a lot of players from the previous regime. Ideally, these problems will slowly go away as the team becomes more and more compromised of players he personally drafted or signed.

But this is an impatient, fast-moving NFL nowadays. The coaching hot seat comes quickly and without warning. Harbaugh went from media darling head coach to fired in the span of what, 4 years? 2 NFC championship games, 1 Super bowl appearance, 44-19 record in SF and he got fired because of his toxic relationship with players.

It's not exactly common to hear former players and staff complain so openly about a coach (especially one with such a short tenure) so I do feel like it's a sign of things to come in Philly.

Many forget how players complained about Tom Coughlin. Too strict, he should have stayed in the college ranks. . . etc. How did that work out?

 

[Slider]

Chip Kelly is here as long as he wins. He'll have to go to at least a Championship game in the next 3 years or this plan will lose lots of steam. I think the biggest chance of him leaving is if he wins the Bowl. I think that happens in the next 3.

 

[unckeyherb]

Of course success drives it all but barring multiple (I mean like three) seasons in a row of sub .500 seasons, I'd bet chip is here for at least another five years or more. Lurie is anything if not patient.

 

[Bankerguy]

Help me understand the Mathis release. What was the real reason...$?

Are you guys not concerned about another hole at G with the injury history of Bradford. What am I missing here?

 

[Bigboy10182000]

Help me understand the Mathis release. What was the real reason...$?

Are you guys not concerned about another hole at G with the injury history of Bradford. What am I missing here?

Same as Carroll and Belichek. You have to be on board or you're done.It's a plus that we saved 4.5 million.

Maybe during OTA's they really liked what they saw from Barbre and Tobin. Maybe him or his agent said something on his way in. No players seem to be defending him which seems odd everywhere outside of places like Seattle and NE.

 

[Amused to Death]

Really nothing to understand, players either want to be here or they don't. Chip will accommodate you if you don't.

 

[Bigboy10182000]

Really nothing to understand, players either want to be here or they don't. Chip will accommodate you if you don't.

Yep and my main point was that this happens in more places than people think. Randy Moss was cut midseason what, a year after a record breaking season? Percy Harvin traded for nothing. Guys running for 160 yards and 3 td's late to meeting and never playing again after. It's fine to have a plan but (IMHO) what seperates good from great is the discipline involved with that plan. Sticking with it no matter what. That's the culture.

 

[unckeyherb]

Help me understand the Mathis release. What was the real reason...$?

Are you guys not concerned about another hole at G with the injury history of Bradford. What am I missing here?

Others have covered most of it I think. Mathis has been flapping his gums about a new contract for two years, surprised he lasted this long with chip. Tre Thomas, who was one of the Chip-as-racist guys, basically said that if you look at film, Mathis is a jumper and peters is a drop back and punch tackle. Those types do not mix well, regardless of the success the team has had. Said barbre was an upgrade because his style is similar to peters. If true it probably made it very easy for chip to finally make an example of Mathis. The fact that teammates were digging Mathis before he was cut speaks volumes IMO.

 

[Terpman22]

They signed Barbre to a 3 year contract extension last year - not sure how everyone is missing that - pretty obvious Chip likes him. Put him between a top 5 LT and C and he might have some success. Kinda like Mathis did...

 

[Terpman22]

Jared Wheeler anybody?? G released by Seattle before draft.

 

[Long Ball Larry]

Help me understand the Mathis release. What was the real reason...$?

Are you guys not concerned about another hole at G with the injury history of Bradford. What am I missing here?

I think anyone who is not concerned about the OL is not being honest. They have not drafted an OL in the last 2 drafts somehow. I am definitely concerned, but I generally trust Chip when it comes to the OL. I certainly do not think that he undervalues good line play, so I assume that he has a plan.

As others have said, it seems like it was basically a culture thing. Chip wants guys who are all-in with the program. If you're not, he doesn't have time for it. Which I think is probably a little short-sighted ultimately. But the Eagles supposedly also had the oldest starting OL in the league with Mathis (according to Jimmy Kempski, I think), so I guess a move to get younger is good. However, it is unclear who is actually good enough to fill in at guard.

 

[Insein]

Chip Kelly is here as long as he wins. He'll have to go to at least a Championship game in the next 3 years or this plan will lose lots of steam. I think the biggest chance of him leaving is if he wins the Bowl. I think that happens in the next 3.

Chip Kelly is here as long as he doesn't lose 14 games a year in back to back seasons. Lurie will not fire the guy.

 

[Insein]

Help me understand the Mathis release. What was the real reason...$?

Are you guys not concerned about another hole at G with the injury history of Bradford. What am I missing here?

For better or worse, Mathis would have been one of the oldest starting lineman going into next year. Howie offered him $1mil a year extension in 2014 offseason but Mathis turned it down and signed Rosenhaus. Kelly was just not going to extend the contract any higher for a 34 year old Guard and recinded the offer. He was most likely willing to deal with him for he year but Mathis missing OTAs pushed Kelly to the point of no return.

Sucks because he did play well in 2013 but took a step back in 2014 even if he was better than the backup. Odds are he's not going to get better the older he gets. So Kelly just accelerated the process.

 

[Deamon]

Help me understand the Mathis release. What was the real reason...$?

Are you guys not concerned about another hole at G with the injury history of Bradford. What am I missing here?

For better or worse, Mathis would have been one of the oldest starting lineman going into next year. Howie offered him $1mil a year extension in 2014 offseason but Mathis turned it down and signed Rosenhaus. Kelly was just not going to extend the contract any higher for a 34 year old Guard and recinded the offer. He was most likely willing to deal with him for he year but Mathis missing OTAs pushed Kelly to the point of no return.

Sucks because he did play well in 2013 but took a step back in 2014 even if he was better than the backup. Odds are he's not going to get better the older he gets. So Kelly just accelerated the process.

I think the plan is still to compete this year, but he's realistic that we won't win a championship this year. We aren't losing many people next offseason, so maybe he's building this thing piece by piece and next spring we are gonna go all out on olinemen.

 

[Snotbubbles]

Help me understand the Mathis release. What was the real reason...$?

Are you guys not concerned about another hole at G with the injury history of Bradford. What am I missing here?

I think anyone who is not concerned about the OL is not being honest. They have not drafted an OL in the last 2 drafts somehow. I am definitely concerned, but I generally trust Chip when it comes to the OL. I certainly do not think that he undervalues good line play, so I assume that he has a plan.

As others have said, it seems like it was basically a culture thing. Chip wants guys who are all-in with the program. If you're not, he doesn't have time for it. Which I think is probably a little short-sighted ultimately. But the Eagles supposedly also had the oldest starting OL in the league with Mathis (according to Jimmy Kempski, I think), so I guess a move to get younger is good. However, it is unclear who is actually good enough to fill in at guard.

Meh. You can find guards off the scrap heap, you know, they same place they found Evan Mathis.

 

[dhockster]

Wow Kelly is something else. He'll be back in college in two years, max.

Why?

Because it's the "chic" thing to say.

He never struck me as a coach who wanted to be in the NFL. He had countless offers and rejected many of them many times before joining Philly. Was a bit "convenient" that he finally left for the NFL once Oregon started getting investigated, not that the investigation amounted to much but either way, it's worth mentioning.

He clearly has an NFL mind and I even recall many NFL coaches consulting him when he was in college. He also has that head coach presence about him, from being a disciplinarian to something as simple as being organized.

But two things really stand out: His inability to handle the business side of the NFL and players just don't seem to like him (some issues we saw with Saban, Harbaugh, Schiano for example).

In terms of the business side, inability is a strong word, it's more like inexperience at the moment but I feel like the writing is already on the wall. Contract situations, trade demands, hold outs, skipping workouts, these are all things a college coach doesn't usually deal with. He will never have the control in the NFL that he had in college.

In terms of players not liking him, yes, he's a no-nonsense, straight forward coach but for some reason he doesn't command respect from players the way a BB or Parcels did. His players are complaining the way Schiano, Harbaugh and Saban's players did.

Bottom line, there's a constant inflow and outflow of players in college, no one has to deal with him for more than 4-5 years and they are all a bunch of 18-22 year olds anyway. I feel like he'll eventually realize college is where he prefers to be after this NFL coaching experiment is over.

Would you say BB and Bill Parcels commanded respect before they won their superbowls? How about Tom Coughlin?

If a disciplinarian coach wins a super bowl then they can command respect because their method obviously works. And even if a disciplinarian doesn't win a super bowl, they are still commanding respect if the players are still responding to their method. As far as I know, the only player that had a problem with his coaching method was Cary Williams. Until there is an outright mutiny by the current players, I think Chip has the respect of his players. I also think Chip Kelly is the type of coach who will listen to ideas on how to improve the team from the players. He is not just a "this is the way we do things" type of guy. If you have a good solution to a problem that he doesn't have, he will listen to it. Knowing the coach will listen to you is another way a coach earns respect from the players.

 

[Amused to Death]

Who says Chip doesn't have a plan?

Eagles Sign OL Jared Wheeler
Nicknamed "Hot Wheels," the 24-year-old University of Miami product was recruited to the school by current Eagles offensive line coach Jeff Stoutland. Wheeler (6-5, 320 pounds) started a total of six games as a senior at both guard spots and center earning the team's Unsung Hero Award that season. He suited up for 38 games during his collegiate career.

Wheeler was signed by the Panthers as a rookie free agent in 2014. He was waived and claimed by the Bills prior to the start of Training Camp and spent the preseason in Buffalo playing in four games. Wheeler was released during the final roster cutdown. He signed with Seattle following the season, but was cut shortly after the NFL Draft.

 

[Insein]

Who says Chip doesn't have a plan?

Eagles Sign OL Jared Wheeler

Nicknamed "Hot Wheels," the 24-year-old University of Miami product was recruited to the school by current Eagles offensive line coach Jeff Stoutland. Wheeler (6-5, 320 pounds) started a total of six games as a senior at both guard spots and center earning the team's Unsung Hero Award that season. He suited up for 38 games during his collegiate career.

Wheeler was signed by the Panthers as a rookie free agent in 2014. He was waived and claimed by the Bills prior to the start of Training Camp and spent the preseason in Buffalo playing in four games. Wheeler was released during the final roster cutdown. He signed with Seattle following the season, but was cut shortly after the NFL Draft.

Sounds like he'll be cut before tebow.

 

[Ash]

I also think Chip Kelly is the type of coach who will listen to ideas on how to improve the team from the players. He is not just a "this is the way we do things" type of guy. If you have a good solution to a problem that he doesn't have, he will listen to it. Knowing the coach will listen to you is another way a coach earns respect from the players.

If I was a player I'm not sure I'd walk into Chip's office and say I didn't like how he was doing <whatever> and that I had a better idea. Didn't seem like he listened much to Cary's feedback on practice for older players. While he might listen, in the end I think he's like every other coach, he has a way he wants things done and there might be some flexibility but I don't think any of it will change much.

 

[Bigboy10182000]

Kelly says Evan Mathis asked for his release from Eagles

PHILADELPHIA _ Eagles coach Chip Kelly said Tuesday that left guard Evan Mathis and his agent had asked to be released.

Kelly said Mathis wanted a new contract and the Eagles weren't going to give him one. So Mathis' agent, Drew Rosenhaus asked the Eagles to release him "on multiple occasions." The Eagles did just that last Thursday. Mathis was coming off two straight Pro Bowl seasons. He had two years left on his contract, worth $11.5 million, but virtually all of his guaranteed money had been paid, meaning that the 33-year-old was basically on a year to year deal.

Why did the Eagles acquiesce now?

"We weren't going to come to a conclusion in terms of a contract extension," Kelly said. "We weren't going to extend any contract or adjust any contract, so we granted him what his agent asked for."

Kelly said the Eagles had asked Mathis to honor his contract, and he got the feeling that Mathis wasn't going to do that, perhaps meaning that Mathis could hold out into training camp, which starts Aug. 2.

Mathis was unhappy with his contract for the past two offseasons. The Eagles had granted Rosenhaus permission to seek a trade during each offseason, but Kelly said that the Eagles did not receive a single offer for him.

"I like Evan a lot," Kelly said. "If he wants to get released and see what he could get [in a better deal], then we released him."

Mathis' release will obviously affect the Eagles' depth on the offensive line. Allen Barbre is considered the favorite to take over at left guard. The Eagles have been rotating a combination of Matt Tobin, Andrew Gardner and Dennis Kelly at right guard in place of Todd Herremans, who was released in March.

"We're obviously down a good football player," Kelly said. "But we're confident in the guys we have, and that's why we made the decision that we made."

In other news:

*Kelly said he doesn't pay much attention to the claim of former cornerback Cary Williams, who said last week that the players were burned out by the end of the season because of Kelly's uptempo practices. Williams, who now plays for the Seattle Seahawks, said something similar last season. Kelly said he talks to players constantly, and that they would voice their concerns if that were the case.

"I talked to the other players on our team, and Malcolm Jenkins said he felt the best that he did in his career after playing the most snaps," Kelly said. "That's a minority opinion. There's a majority of our players who would tell you they felt great at the end of the season."

*Kelly was asked if quarterback Sam Bradford would be ready to be a full participant once training camp starts on Aug. 2, which includes the 11-on-11 drills: "God, we hope so."

 

[KellysHeroes]

Sam Bradford (ACL) remained limited to 7-on-7 work Tuesday.

Unlike fellow ACL patient Carson Palmer, Bradford hasn't graduated to 11-on-11 work yet. There have also been whispers that he remains hobbled and is limping around -- observations that have been discounted by other reporters. When asked if Bradford will be ready for 11-on-11 when training camp opens, Chip Kelly said, "God, we hope so."

that's not good

 

[unckeyherb]

meh, that's Chip being Chip. I equate the "God, we hope so" quote to the "Foles is the starter for the next 1000 years" quote. He's aware of the constant news cycle, he knows these soundbites cause a lot of commotion (which I think he is amused by) and all the agita about Bradford allow him to play up to these questions. No different than the questions surrounding Foles back in '13.

 

[CentralPA]

Sam Bradford (ACL) remained limited to 7-on-7 work Tuesday.

Unlike fellow ACL patient Carson Palmer, Bradford hasn't graduated to 11-on-11 work yet. There have also been whispers that he remains hobbled and is limping around -- observations that have been discounted by other reporters. When asked if Bradford will be ready for 11-on-11 when training camp opens, Chip Kelly said, "God, we hope so."

that's not good

Nothing from that really surprises me. I always figured 11-11 practice for him would be training camp. Not to mention the Chip comment seemed more "I want to get the hell out of here" more than anything.

 

[Ash]

meh, that's Chip being Chip. I equate the "God, we hope so" quote to the "Foles is the starter for the next 1000 years" quote. He's aware of the constant news cycle, he knows these soundbites cause a lot of commotion (which I think he is amused by) and all the agita about Bradford allow him to play up to these questions. No different than the questions surrounding Foles back in '13.

This. It actually sounds like everything is coming along pretty well with Bradford's knee.

 

[fred_1_15301]

Help me understand the Mathis release. What was the real reason...$?

Are you guys not concerned about another hole at G with the injury history of Bradford. What am I missing here?

For better or worse, Mathis would have been one of the oldest starting lineman going into next year. Howie offered him $1mil a year extension in 2014 offseason but Mathis turned it down and signed Rosenhaus. Kelly was just not going to extend the contract any higher for a 34 year old Guard and recinded the offer. He was most likely willing to deal with him for he year but Mathis missing OTAs pushed Kelly to the point of no return.Sucks because he did play well in 2013 but took a step back in 2014 even if he was better than the backup. Odds are he's not going to get better the older he gets. So Kelly just accelerated the process.

I think the plan is still to compete this year, but he's realistic that we won't win a championship this year. We aren't losing many people next offseason, so maybe he's building this thing piece by piece and next spring we are gonna go all out on olinemen.

Why can't they win a championship this year? If they are competitive enough to build a playoff team, then I don't understand why they can't win if all? This isn't the NBA -- once you get in the dance, anyone can win.

 

[Bigboy10182000]

Help me understand the Mathis release. What was the real reason...$?

Are you guys not concerned about another hole at G with the injury history of Bradford. What am I missing here?

For better or worse, Mathis would have been one of the oldest starting lineman going into next year. Howie offered him $1mil a year extension in 2014 offseason but Mathis turned it down and signed Rosenhaus. Kelly was just not going to extend the contract any higher for a 34 year old Guard and recinded the offer. He was most likely willing to deal with him for he year but Mathis missing OTAs pushed Kelly to the point of no return.Sucks because he did play well in 2013 but took a step back in 2014 even if he was better than the backup. Odds are he's not going to get better the older he gets. So Kelly just accelerated the process.

I think the plan is still to compete this year, but he's realistic that we won't win a championship this year. We aren't losing many people next offseason, so maybe he's building this thing piece by piece and next spring we are gonna go all out on olinemen.

Why can't they win a championship this year? If they are competitive enough to build a playoff team, then I don't understand why they can't win if all? This isn't the NBA -- once you get in the dance, anyone can win.

 

[JetMaxx]

Health, Bradford, and the secondary are the only questions for a championship run.