Kelly On Foles Report: ‘I Control the Roster’

Chip Kelly made it clear today that his voice is the only one that matters when it comes to the Eagles’ quarterback situation.

Kelly was asked about an NJ.com report that suggested some in the organization, including GM Howie Roseman, had “soured” on Nick Foles even before he suffered a clavicle injury against the Houston Texans.

“I don’t know where that stuff comes from,” Kelly said. “I know this, I know I control the roster. And I think you guys can say first-hand, I don’t talk to anybody. So whoever says they have a source in terms of what’s gonna go on with roster maneuvers or people going up and people going down, they never talked to the right person because that comes from me, and that never was the case.

“I’ve got great faith in Nick, and I think he’s a hell of a quarterback, and I think sometimes he gets banged too much, but I wish there was more people like Nick Foles in our lives.”

Mark Sanchez is currently on a one-year deal and is scheduled to become a free agent at the end of the season. Foles is signed through 2015.

There will be a time when the Eagles have to decide what direction they’re going in at quarterback, and when that time comes, it will be Kelly making the call.

NO ISSUES WITH AVANT

A Charlotte Observer story in June quoted Jason Avant as saying that he and Kelly “butted heads” at times. Avant was released during the offseason and signed with the Panthers.

“I heard about that and then Jason called me afterwards and apologized and said that’s not what he said,” Kelly said.

Asked about his experience coaching Avant, Kelly added: “It was good. Being the old guy in the room, I think the one thing that Jason always did and that you could always point to as a coach is his work ethic, as witnessed to everybody, the immediate [moment] practice is over, he’s got the Juggs machine out and how he trained and how he developed and his approach on a daily basis. I told him that when we let him go that I appreciate everything he did in my first year as a coach because he made that transition for a new coaching staff coming here fantastic. Jason’s a special guy, both on and off the field. And I’ve got nothing but the utmost respect for J.”

FILLING IN FOR HERREMANS

Kelly noted that observers should not be quick to assume that Matt Tobin will fill in at right guard for Todd Herremans. He said it’s possible that Andrew Gardner gets the nod, and the coaching staff will decide later this week.