Chip Happens!

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Yesterday felt like Christmas in March! Every hour another gift came via the twitter timeline as updates of the Eagles’ moves come one after another.

Cary Williams, Trent Cole, Shady, combined with Herremans earlier, the non franchise-tagging of Maclin. Make no doubt about things, Chip Kelly is in total control.

Chip KellyI understand that Shady being traded to Buffalo is a difficult pill for most to swallow. He’s a fan favorite. He’s the franchise’s all-time leading rusher. Keep in mind, you don’t become the franchise’s all-time leading rusher with a light workload. McCoy has six years of wear and tear. That’s a lot for a running back in the NFL. McCoy’s cap number was high. There were numerous rumors of friction between McCoy and Kelly’s style. This makes sense on several levels. Also, keep in mind that this a very deep draft at the linebacker position with players like Nebraska’s Ameer Abdullah projected to go in the third round in some mock drafts.

Granted, Kiko Alonso is coming off a knee injury. However, he’s not 32 coming off a knee injury, he’s 24. I know he’s another Oregon Duck, but this isn’t Casey Matthews. This is Kiko Alonso, who along with Mychal Kendricks, could be part of the best, young, inside linebacker duo in the NFL-if they are healthy. If Alonso isn’t healthy, the move simply becomes a wise salary dump.

The Eagles also added inside linebacker Brad Jones from the Packers. Injuries at the linebacker position decimated the Eagles last year. Chip has added a stud and depth. Linebacker is no longer an issue while free agency and the draft have yet to happen.

Cole and Herremans were solid soldiers who are simply too old for Chip’s squad. Chip likes big, athletic players. His tempo demands younger players. That’s where it looks like he is going.

Will Maclin return? Maybe. But, I’d rather have the option to sign Randall Cobb at a similar number. I also know that with upwards of $50M in salary cap space, the Eagles should have an entirely revamped secondary. That’s what we wanted, plus he solidified the linebacker position.

Chip is doing the opposite of what we’ve been criticizing the Phillies for doing, which was holding onto aging veteran with large contracts far too long. I love it. We, Eagles fans, are finding out, along with McCoy, Cary, and others that Chip happens. We just need to believe. We have no other choice.

E-A-G-L-E-S!