Open Thread: Reaction Day
Jeffrey Lurie (Photo by: Jeff Fusco)
In case you managed to dodge the onslaught of updates, Chip Kelly was fired Tuesday evening. The Eagles have practice Wednesday, and team owner Jeffrey Lurie will be addressing the media to discuss the decision to release Kelly.
Practice begins at 12:05, Lurie will address the media at 12:30, and players will be available to the media starting around 1:45.
We’ll be covering everything as it happens, and you can come to this open thread to read about and discuss the latest news and updates from what promises to be a hectic day-after at the NovaCare Complex.
3:05 – The locker room provided some good quotes and reactions from key players. Here’s a sampling.
Tim has Sam Bradford, who will be keeping a close eye on the team’s coaching hunt.
Adam talks with Lane Johnson, who thinks Chip Kelly had a hard time communicating.
1:40 – Three big takeaways from the press conference.
Tim, on the new power structure that has evolved in the Eagles’ front office.
Josh, on the pending search for a new head coach and what Lurie is looking for.
Adam, on where Lurie believes things went wrong for the Chip Kelly experiment.
1:00 – Highlights from Lurie’s press conference.
Lurie clarifies that GM title will not be used, Roseman, Donahoe two key figures.
— Tim McManus (@Tim_McManus) December 30, 2015
Lurie: “This has been 1 of the most disappointing seasons I’ve ever endured.” “Thought we were on the verge of something very, very special” — Josh Paunil (@JoshPaunil) December 30, 2015
Jeffrey Lurie said he’s still open to hiring a college coach. Later added: “We’re looking for the best leader.”
— Josh Paunil (@JoshPaunil) December 30, 2015
Possible there will be interviews of members of current staff, says Lurie. — Tim McManus (@Tim_McManus) December 30, 2015
Two of the things Jeffrey Lurie is looking for in his new head coach: A smart, strategic thinker and a clear and good communicator.
— Josh Paunil (@JoshPaunil) December 30, 2015
Lurie on if he thinks Chip would’ve left if he didn’t get the additional power last offseason: “No.” — Josh Paunil (@JoshPaunil) December 30, 2015
Coaching search began last night, said Lurie. Confident in group (himself, Roseman, Smolenski) that will be heading it.
— Tim McManus (@Tim_McManus) December 30, 2015
Jeffrey Lurie said hiring Chip Kelly in 2013 was unanimous: “He was our first choice.” — Josh Paunil (@JoshPaunil) December 30, 2015
Lurie said much was made over his plane ride conversation with Murray, but he often talks to players: “I’m not someone who’s hands off.”
— Josh Paunil (@JoshPaunil) December 30, 2015
Howie will have a say in personnel in a collaboration role, said Lurie. — Tim McManus (@Tim_McManus) December 30, 2015
Jeffrey Lurie: Howie Roseman will remain in his current position.
— Josh Paunil (@JoshPaunil) December 30, 2015
Jeffrey Lurie on whether Chip Kelly lost the locker room: “No, I would not say that.” — Josh Paunil (@JoshPaunil) December 30, 2015
Lurie on why he fired Chip last night: “Wanted to get a jump start on our head coaching search.” “Having 6 extra days was pretty important.”
— Josh Paunil (@JoshPaunil) December 30, 2015
Lurie says he never offered Kelly a reduced role without personnel power. — Adam Hermann (@AdamWHermann) December 30, 2015
Lurie on whether Chip tried to make a play to keep his job: “No, he did not.”
— Josh Paunil (@JoshPaunil) December 30, 2015
Lurie on trying to go “from good to great”: “There’s dangers in that.” “It’d be a shame not to try, but the end result was mediocrity.” — Josh Paunil (@JoshPaunil) December 30, 2015
Lurie: It was a clear and important decision that had to be made.
— Tim McManus (@Tim_McManus) December 30, 2015
Lurie: It was a clear and important decision that had to be made. — Tim McManus (@Tim_McManus) December 30, 2015
12:10 – Eagles players, heading out to practice without Chip Kelly for the first time in three years.
Players walking out to practice. pic.twitter.com/nAY2e7tE8o
— Tim McManus (@Tim_McManus) December 30, 2015
Normally fiery Jerry Azzinaro, confidant of Chip Kelly, subdued by his standards. pic.twitter.com/DNJDaHb69z — Tim McManus (@Tim_McManus) December 30, 2015
12:03 – On his way out to the first practice of the post-Chip Kelly era, Billy Davis chatted and briefly touched on the events.
Billy Davis chatted a little before practice. Surprised move happened before end of season but knew staff was on notice when eliminated…
— Tim McManus (@Tim_McManus) December 30, 2015
…from postseason. Davis sounds like he knows chances of being retained are slim. — Tim McManus (@Tim_McManus) December 30, 2015
Hardest part, Davis said, is affect it has on family. He has five kids and will likely be moving once again.
— Tim McManus (@Tim_McManus) December 30, 2015
Also, remnants of the Kelly regime remain in the atmosphere at practice.
Yes, they’re playing music at #Eagles practice. — Martin Frank (@Mfranknfl) December 30, 2015
11:50 – Some morning-after reading from the bombshell firing.
Tim examines what led to the unceremonious dethroning of Kelly, less than a year after he was granted full personnel power.
Josh takes a look at the potential fallout from firing Kelly, and what the organization could lose by letting go of everything he brought to the table.
Adam breaks down the statistical reasoning behind getting rid of Kelly at this point in his tenure, and whether it’s the right decision.
11:47 – You can cross former Eagles assistant coach John Harbaugh off the list of potential coaching candidates.
John Harbaugh was asked about replacing Chip Kelly in Philadelphia: “No, it’s not part of the conversation.” https://t.co/3pTRATDuhH #Ravens
— Jon Meoli (@JonMeoli) December 30, 2015