In Chip We Trust was the Eagles fans battle cry — but we are finding out fast how trust in an NFL coach can deteriorate. I for one believe Chip Kelly has everything under control.
While the rest of Philadelphia panics over Kelly and the Eagles cutting Cary Williams, Trent Cole while also trading LeSean McCoy — lets marinate on the fact that the Eagles right now have $41 million in cap space.
Chip Kelly was reluctant to devote $11.95 million in cap space to McCoy after watching his production dip from 5.1 yards per carry and 10.4 yards per reception to 4.2 and 5.5, respectively.
The passing game duties ended up being strictly Darren Sproles. You take Sproles, Chris Polk — who can handle a lot of the inside running duties, and McCoy is essentially no longer needed.
With that freed up money — Kelly can sign a list of guys that includes DeMarco Murray, Justin Forsett, Mark Ingram, Reggie Bush and Chris Johnson, Ray Rice and possibly Adrian Peterson.
Or what about a splash signing at receiver like Randall Cobb who can lineup outside, in the slot and in the backfield. He could make $2 million less than McCoy, while putting up similar numbers.
Kelly can also draft from a group that will possibly include Toddy Gurley, Melvin Gordon, Ameer Abdullah, Duke Johnson, T.J. Yeldon and others.
LeSean McCoy is only 26 — yet has already amassed 1,461 carries with the Eagles — plus and additional 584 carries at Pitt.
McCoy’s salary is a concern, and the offensive line in front of him is an unknown, but he’ll immediately make Buffalo’s offense better.
McCoy reportedly told his mentor — LaDainian Tomlinson — that he knew he’d be gone weeks ago. According to reports — Kelly and McCoy didn’t always see eye to eye.
“I’m not really surprised about it,” Tomlinson explained. “I had the chance to talk to LeSean McCoy a few weeks ago and he expressed to me that he didn’t think he was going back to Philly next season. … he just didn’t think Philly was committed to him and he actually thought that Chip kind of phased him out of the offense at times last year.”
The pundits will call it stupid, but Kelly could end up looking like a genius.
He’s reunited with former Oregon linebacker Kiko Alonso. Make all the Ducks jokes you want, but Alonso is a tackling machine — something the Eagles are lacking.
If Alonso returns to pre-injury form, the Eagles will boast one of the NFL’s speediest inside linebacker duos in Alonso and Mychal Kendricks.
Kelly is putting his stamp on the roster — that includes surrounding himself with guys he can control. The move also allows him to address the cornerback position, possibly another wide receiver — while allowing the Eagles to possibly target a big name player like Suh.
The Eagles didn’t win a Super Bowl with McCoy and wouldn’t have come close this season with a defense that has holes everywhere.
Trust in Chip Kelly Eagles fans, until he gives you a reason to run him out of town. If LeSean McCoy runs for 800 yards this season, Eagles fans will trust in Chip once again.
