A lot of information about the state of the Eagles still comes to me the old-fashioned way— picking up random reports and observations on the radio. Maybe it’s because I spend at least two hours each workday isolated in my vehicle, and at night I like to sit out on the deck and spin the dial on an old portable AM/FM unit listening for NFL news from other cities.
There is a lot of national radio buzz about the Eagles. Most of it has to do with the changes made by Chip Kelly. The common thread is how much time should Eagles owner Jeff Lurie give Kelly to produce a championship-caliber team…and what happens if the Eagles regress in 2015 beneath Kelly’s vision of what it takes to win big in the NFL?
Big Jon Runyan, former Pro Bowl tackle for the Eagles and two-time congressman from New Jersey, appeared on 97.5 The Fanatic, an ESPN-affiliated station in Philadelphia, and he basically said don’t be surprised if after two consecutive 10-6 regular seasons, the Birds take one step backwards.
“I say give him the opportunity to get his own people in there and see what happens,” Runyan said. “It may turn out to not be that great of a season, but you go through those growing pains.”
“When you have massive turnover like that, that creates some inconsistencies. The lack of communication and that non-verbal communication that you have with your teammates — because you don’t have as many reps with them, that shows itself on Sundays.”
“It could be bad,” Runyan said, “but you never know. You get a defense getting turnovers and a prolific offense putting points up, it changes the whole dynamic. It can happen, but history says it’s not going to be pretty.”
Sobering words from Runyan, but he also expressed the need for patience and the will to carry on.
As the signal faded out, I tried to imagine what a “regressive” season for the Eagles would look or feel like.
3rd year on Kelly’s contract— after 10-6 and no playoff appearance in 2014, would a 9-7 season and a wild-card appearance in the playoffs (one and done) be considered a regression?
Or is Runyan talking about something really bad, like a 6-10 or a 7-9 ?
Admittedly it is possible for things to go the wrong way. And we’ve seen points of time in Eagles history where things had to get worse for new head coaches (Vermeil and Reid) before they were built up to championship levels.
I spun the radio dial again and caught an interview on a Yahoo Sports station originating out of Boston. On the airwaves was none other than Gil Brandt, the legendary Cowboys personnel exec from old glory days in Dallas. Brandt was being interviewed about his own optimism for the Chip Kelly Experiment which he had also expressed in a recent Sports Illustrated article.
Brandt said he loves the Eagles’ talent at running back and wide receiver, and thinks it will put Kelly over the top in 2015.
“Kelly’s a lot more tuned in to personnel than people know,” said Brandt. “He knows what he’s doing, he’s talked about his master plan with a lot of NFL people, and he definitely has his eye on the salary cap as he builds for the future.”
Of course Brandt can be excused for being partial to former Cowboys, but he was absolutely gushing over DeMarco Murray:
“This kid is going to be a difference-maker…DeMarco is an all-around player who can catch the ball and pass-protect if needed—he’s just a great 3-down back.”
Brandt also likes the way he thinks Kelly is going to use his receivers in the slot.
“Your receivers should be versatile, able to line up outside, or in the slot, or in the backfield. Jordan Matthews and former Oregon player Josh Huff fit this profile, as does first-round draft pick Nelson Agholor, who is going to be tough to stop in this system.”
They asked Brandt if he had concerns about the QB situation in Philly, with Sam Bradford not quite ready to go, and Mark Sanchez as the heir apparent if Bradford can’t go. He basically said we fans should have no worries, as Kelly’s offensive system with its fast tempo tends to neutralize the individual effect of a quarterback. If the play is run right, Brandt believes any NFL QB will become more efficient in the Eagles offense.
I’m not sure I agree with Brandt on that last point. I’m not sure I agree with a constant fast-tempo offense, either. But as the radio signal from Boston faded out on me, I had a sense of relief that a guy as NFL-savvy as Gil Brandt has a lot of confidence in the Chippah.
Summertime nights with the radio…my search of the dial continues…
No comments:
Post a Comment