What They’re Saying About the Eagles

Here’s a roundup of coverage on the Birds.

John Middlekauff of The Sideline View compares the Eagles’ ownership to San Francisco’s:

The major difference in Philly and SF was ownership. One values the head coach as the most valuable individual in the building (which he is), while the other thinks he can replace him like a backup offensive lineman. Let’s take a look at the two situations starting with Philly.

Rumors had been flying in league circles for months that the Eagles were every bit as dysfunctional as the 49ers. It was a ticking time bomb, sure to blow up — except it never did. Ownership refused to let it happen.

Dan Wetzel of Yahoo Sports draws a similar comparison:

Kelly is now Bill Belichick, only without all the Lombardi Trophies. That doesn’t mean it’s a bad idea. In New England, Belichick was recognized as a great coach and was ceded all power even if through the years he has proven to be an uneven executive (he had a heck of a 2014 though).

The tradeoff is worth it. Take the great with the occasional bad. Let the excellence on the sideline count for more than growing into the job and making inevitable mistakes (there are no perfect general managers or talent evaluators).

Derek Sarley of Iggles Blog offers his thoughts on the Eagles’ shake-up:

Except, what if the reason Chip went off the board for a guy like Hart is because the board wasn’t giving him the kinds of guys he really wanted? What if he was simply aping — in reverse — the old Cincinnati draft strategy, in which an organization that refused to invest enough money in scouts took character risk after character risk because at least those guys could play?

Culture trumps 40 time, right?

A team’s draft board isn’t just a list of players, it’s a collection of settled arguments. If the GM and the head coach are fighting on draft day over whether or not they should take an — at best! — fifth round talent two rounds earlier, then those arguments are happening way too late.

Bucky Brooks of NFL.com identifies the Eagles as one of nine teams that need a QB in the draft:

It’s rare for a team with a Pro Bowler on the roster to be in the quarterback market, but Chip Kelly could look for a more athletic playmaker to take the Eagles’ offense to another level. While Nick Foles and Mark Sanchez have been productive within the fast-paced scheme, a dynamic athlete like Oregon’s Marcus Mariota, if he enters the draft, could add an explosive element to the Eagles’ attack.

Interesting note here on the QBs from Daniel Jeremiah of NFL Network:

I’ve had multiple texts from personnel guys with the same message: “I feel bad for teams in the top 5 looking for a QB.”

— Daniel Jeremiah (@MoveTheSticks) January 5, 2015

That’s your yearly reminder that consensus draft projections can change quite a bit from January to the end of April.

Phil Sheridan of ESPN.com offers a different angle on the Taylor Hart pick:

Never mind that Hart appears to be a poor fifth-round choice. The Eagles once got Cole — now second all-time to Reggie White on their list of quarterback sacks — in the fifth round. Hart might blossom into a fine player, but he was inactive for all 16 games as a rookie. There is no reason to think he was a good pick in the fifth round, let alone the third.

But here’s the thing: The fact Kelly revealed that exchange with Roseman tells you that he wasn’t embarrassed about it. He wasn’t hiding it. He learned something about how the NFL works. Given everything else we see from Kelly, it is reasonable to expect that if he learned it, he will not make a mistake like that again.

Rob Rang of CBSSports.com has the Eagles taking UCLA QB Brett Hundley in the first round:

Incumbent starter Nick Foles did a fine job when healthy and Mark Sanchez provided evidence that others could come in and be successful with this scheme. Neither, however, possesses the mobility at quarterback that made Chip Kelly’s offense so formidable at Oregon. Given full power over personnel as part of the Eagles’ recent restructuring of the front office, Kelly is in position to make a splash on draft day.

Dane Brugler of CBSSports.com has the Eagles taking Washington CB Marcus Peters:

Would Chip Kelly really draft a player who was dismissed from school due to coachability issues? I think he would, if he believes the player won’t be a problem moving forward. Who knows if Peters will be able to keep his head on straight, but his talent is top-10 worthy, potentially giving the Eagles a steal with him this late.