Blog Archives

After Early Demotion, DeSean Jackson Says He’s ‘All-In’

Posted on June 4, 2013 by Tim McManus — No Comments ↓

DeSean Jackson walked into Chip Kelly‘s office, wanting to know why he had been demoted.

It was early and it was all very new and veterans like Jackson were trying to figure out what their new head coach was all about. Curiosity turned to frustration when Jackson found himself in an unsettling position.

“There were times when I was going with the threes, times when I was going with the twos, things like that,” said Jackson in a one-on-one conversation with Birds 24/7. ” There was a point where I went into Chip Kelly’s office and talked to him face-to-face to see what was going on with that.”

Tagged with: Chip Kelly, DeSean Jackson
Posted in Featured

Polk: ‘I Didn’t Come To This League To Be a Cheerleader’

Posted on June 3, 2013 by Sheil Kapadia — No Comments ↓

When Chris Polk watched tape last year, he didn’t like what he saw.

“I saw myself on film, like man I don’t look too good, especially with those tight-fitting jerseys,” Polk said. “I’ve got to shed a few pounds.”

And so he did.

Polk said he has dropped 15 pounds this offseason and is currently practicing at 215.

“That’s where I want to be at, especially with this high-paced offense,” Polk said. “You’ve got to make people miss and run in space, catch it. You’ve got to have your wind. So it was the best thing to really fit this scheme, get down lighter, be faster, get your wind up.”

Tagged with: Chip Kelly, Chris Polk, Sheil Kapadia
Posted in Featured

A New Role For Lane Johnson

Posted on June 2, 2013 by Sheil Kapadia — No Comments ↓

The Eagles unveiled a new role for Lane Johnson on Friday, lining him up in the slot on a wide receiver screen.

Tagged with: Lane Johnson, LeSean McCoy, Sheil Kapadia
Posted in Featured

Vinny Curry, Fletcher Cox Discuss New Roles

Posted on June 1, 2013 by Tim McManus — No Comments ↓

We checked in on Vinny Curry and Fletcher Cox to see how they are adapting to their new roles in Billy Davis‘ 3-4 hybrid scheme.

Tagged with: Fletcher Cox, Vinny Curry
Posted in Featured

Running Diary: Eagles Practice Observations

Posted on May 31, 2013 by Sheil Kapadia — No Comments ↓

Our first fight of the spring, the latest on the QB competition and more. Here are today’s observations from Eagles practice at the NovaCare Complex.

Tagged with: Chip Kelly, Sheil Kapadia
Posted in Featured, Practice Observations

All-22: Examining Connor Barwin’s Role And Skill Set

Posted on May 30, 2013 by Sheil Kapadia — No Comments ↓

Part of my contribution for this year’s Eagles Almanac (pre-order here!) focuses on the defense, and specifically Connor Barwin.

So I’ve been looking at quite a bit of All-22 over the past few days and have been surprised by some of the skills that Barwin brings to the table.

Barwin had 11.5 sacks during the 2011 regular season. Is he ever going to reach that mark again? If I had to bet my life savings (about 27 dollars, as of this afternoon), I’d say no. He only has 7.5 sacks in his other 37 career games (playoffs included).

But because of Barwin’s versatility, it’s easy to see why Howie Roseman, Chip Kelly and Billy Davis felt he could be a fit in this defense.

Tagged with: Connor Barwin, Sheil Kapadia
Posted in All-22

Jason Kelce On the Effects Of the Hurry-Up

Posted on May 29, 2013 by Tim McManus — No Comments ↓

Kelce brings up an important point: a byproduct of the up-tempo attack is that you become vulnerable to the blitz in some cases. You’re rushing to get the play off. If the center is trying to switch protections while the quarterback is calling out the signals, chances are not everybody is going to get the message. So it’s best not to introduce that element of confusion.

“That’s the thing: if we’re going to be wrong, we have to all be wrong, 11 people on the same page, and then let the quarterback use his hot read on the blitz that we didn’t pick up,” said Kelce.

Tagged with: Chip Kelly, Jason Kelce, Michael Vick
Posted in Featured

Why Chip Kelly Values Mychal Kendricks

Posted on May 29, 2013 by Sheil Kapadia — No Comments ↓

During one play Tuesday, Brent Celek motioned to the slot on the left side, and linebacker Mychal Kendricks went with him.

Celek ran a corner route downfield, towards the sideline, but Kendricks was able to stick with the tight end, and the pass went in another direction.

This is Chip Kelly’s offense. Identify versatile pieces, move them around the formation, create mismatches, and move fast.

But Kendricks has the skill set to negate that style. So it makes sense that Kelly is excited about what the second-year player can bring to the defense.

Tagged with: Chip Kelly, Mychal Kendricks, Rick Minter, Sheil Kapadia
Posted in Featured

Eagles Practice Observations

Posted on May 28, 2013 by Sheil Kapadia — No Comments ↓

The Eagles were back at it Tuesday for another round of OTAs. Here’s a rundown of practice observations during the outdoor session at the NovaCare Complex.

Tagged with: Billy Davis, Curtis Marsh, Danny Watkins, Jason Peters, Lane Johnson, Michael Vick, Sheil Kapadia, Trent Cole
Posted in Featured, Practice Observations

Cary Williams Behind, But Predicts ‘Cream Will Rise To the Top’

Posted on May 28, 2013 by Tim McManus — No Comments ↓

With Cary Williams missing a good chunk of these OTAs, cornerback Curtis Marsh has been running with first team opposite Bradley Fletcher. Now that Williams is back, the assumption was that he would supplant Marsh at right corner. On Tuesday, though, that was not the case — Marsh was still with the ones.

Williams strongly recommended that the media not make too much of it.

“If you guys look into that situation outside, I think that’s an issue,” said Williams. “It’s not an issue to me.

Tagged with: Cary Williams, Curtis Marsh
Posted in Featured