The Chip Kelly Kool-aid

I like green. I like Kool-aid. I like my Kool-aid green—Chip Kelly Green. That’s right, I’m admitting it. I’m mixing up another pitcher of Chip Kelly Green Kool-aid. You know what? It’s mighty tasty. Sure, there are people who refuse to take a sip and may be able to pound their chests and utter, “I told you. He’s an idiot.” Great. If that’s what they need to feel good, by all means pound away if they’re right.

Me? I have no interest in that. Not now. Not for Chip Kelly. Perhaps, at the end of the next NFL season, I will have had my fill of the Kool-aid. For now, I’ve got a thirst that I just can’t quench. The Phillies stink so I might as well be optimistic about something in the sports world.

I have no reason not to drink the Kelly Kool-aid. Amaro-aid? No, thanks. Not after the past three seasons. The Ed Snider Kool-aid? No, thanks. Not after the past 39 years without a Cup. Hinkie-aid? Sure, I’ll take a glass of that, too.

Hinkie and Chip have given me no reason to stop drinking, for now. Kelly inherited a lifeless 4-12 squad and went to achieve back-to-back 10 win seasons. He did that with a combination of Foles/Vick as quarterbacks in 2013 and Foles/Sanchez in 2014. Right? The Mike Vick who couldn’t get on the field the following year for the woeful New York Jets. And the butt-fumble Mark Sanchez who looked atrocious as a New York Jet.

I know Foles is 14-4. I like Foles. He says and does all the right things off the field. He comes from behind to win games.  However, if Chip didn’t feel that he was right for his system. He’s with Foles every day. He would know better than I.

Do I like the trade for Bradford? Of course not. On its face it looks ridiculous. But what do I know? I had a brief, uneventful high school football career. I’m a writer, marketing/graphic design dude. I do okay in fantasy football. I’ve won a few championships, even in a highly competitive 16 team league. In light of that impressive resume, I still believe Chip Kelly knows more about the game of football, particularly his offense.

I didn’t want Chip Kelly as the Eagles coach. I was a fanatical member of the Gus Bus brigade, boisterously clamoring for Gus Bradley. But, Chip’s here. And he’s done well. He’s done better than I thought he would’ve.

There’s no denying that it’s hard to see the likes of DeSean Jackson, LeSean McCoy, and Jeremy Maclin jettisoned from the franchise.  They were all good players, who happened to have their career years in Chip Kelly’s system. This is especially true of Maclin, who never broke 1,000 yards receiving before Chip’s system. This past year he had over 1,300 yards. Coincidence? Was Maclin worth $11M a year? Probably not.

Is Chip Kelly a genius mad scientist? I hope so.  I know that he’s definitely unorthodox and sometimes that’s hard for people to accept. He wouldn’t be the first genius ridiculed at first. CJ Doppler proposed the Doppler Effect in 1842. He was opposed for two decades because the effect didn’t fit with accepted physics at the time. Remember old Galileo? People thought his use of a telescope was a waste of time.

If Bradford is the QB, then I have to trust him. I have no reason not to, yet. Bradford, Ryan Matthews aren’t exciting offensive pieces, but maybe they flourish in Chip’s system just like Jackson, McCoy, and Maclin. Maybe Chip is like Marc Vetri on the offensive side of the ball. Vetri could probably shop at a Save-A-Lot and create a dinner masterpiece. I’m incapable of that with the best/freshest ingredients from a farmers market or Whole Foods.  For now, I believe Chip can generate a potent offense with Save-A-Lot ingredients like Polk, Cooper, Matthews, Bradford or Sanchez, etc.

I do know that current Eagles’ players have discussed how great of physical shape they feel under Chip Kelly’s training, eating, and sleeping regimen. Bradford and Matthews have been plagued by injuries. Maybe Chip’s training and sports science implementations can keep those guys healthy. A much better offensive line in Philadelphia than in St. Louis may help with that, as well.

On defense, he’s no Vetri. He needs studs. He needs the likes of Curry, Cox, Barwin, Alonso, Maxwell, and more. He seems to be aware of that with the Eagles reported pursuit of Devin McCourty

It’s the second day of free agency. There’s a long road to go until the Philadelphia Eagles’ season begins.  More free agents will be signed. Players will be drafted. Late roster cuts around the league will happen. I’m going to withhold judgment until then or later.  I have no reason not to. On paper, the decisions and trades look suspect. But, who am I to suspect. If this team goes 7-9, then that’s a different situation.

For now, give me a tall, cold glass of that tasty Chip Kelly Green Kool-aid.

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