Philadelphia Eagles: Biggest Week in Franchise History? Part Two

Where was I?

Oh yeah: Wow.

Yesterday, I began to take a look at the apocalyptic first week of the Philadelphia Eagles 2015 NFL league year.

Today, I continue by examining the overhaul of the backfield, and by taking a closer look at Chip Kelly’s role in changing the franchise.

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Nick Foles (a third round pick that had underwhelmed in seven games a rookie, turning the ball over ten times) was inspired to become a mistake-free superstar. 27 touchdowns. 2 interceptions. A Pro-Bowl MVP award.

And the offensive line (which analytics-based football evaluation website ProFootballFocus rated the 19th best unit in 2012) was the the best in the league through a series of injury recoveries and lucky breaks.

That’s one theory.

The other: Chip Kelly came to Philadelphia and changed everything.

What would Occam say?

Chip Kelly took over the Philadelphia Eagles and inherited players that had been chosen by predecessor Andy Reid. He was in no position to overhaul the team in a single offseason and, despite the Eagles having had a mediocre offense and a 4-12 record in 2012, he resolved to do the best he could.

But because the best he could was wildly and almost impossible-to-have-expectedly good… the world made a couple of assumptions:

These players are all studs.

These players are the perfect players to operate in Chip Kelly’s offense.

Forgotten was that a group of mostly these same players had gone just 12-20 in the previous two seasons under Reid, another gifted and offensive-minded head coach.

Here we find ourselves in 2015. Chip Kelly is in complete control, for the first time, of the Eagles roster.

And, unsurprisingly, he wants to make it his own. He wants to see what can be done with a roster of players that were not inherited… but chosen.

Last week began with the trading away of the Eagles’ biggest star: running back LeSean McCoy.

Who would replace him?

The news broke on the eve of free agency that the Eagles were very near a deal with former 49er (and apparent discoverer of the fountain of youth) Frank Gore.

Mar 10, 2015; Orchard Park, NY, USA; Buffalo Bills running back LeSean McCoy speaks to the media during a press conference at Ralph Wilson Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Hoffman-USA TODAY Sports

Done, we thought: Gore will be a replacement that will serve, along with Eagles’ backup Chris Polk and spark plug back Darren Sproles to replace McCoy’s production for a short time and for a lot less money. Gore’s older. So it was a temporary plan that would probably also require the Eagles to draft a young back to develop. A lot of good backs in the draft. Fine.

Until it wasn’t: On Tuesday word spread that Gore was having second thoughts. Instead, he would visit with the Indianapolis Colts with the intent of signing there. He did.

And so ended the Frank Gore era in Philadelphia. Tied for last among Eagles’ backs in yards, carries, touchdowns and yards per carry: Nearly as disappointing as Freddie Mitchell.

The Eagles were now not only without a running back, but the world knew they wanted one and didn’t get him.

Bad for PR.

People began to talk about all the reasons why no one wanted play for Chip Kelly: their reasons ranged from his overbearing style to wildly unfounded accusations of racism.

He’s the maverick/idiot who had, in two years, cut DeSean Jackson, traded LeSean McCoy, failed to re-sign Jeremy Maclin, and dealt Nick Foles away.

A lunatic, right?

But for the fact that his offense and his influence are responsible for all of those names having the clout that they do.

And for the fact that no one has seen a Chip Kelly offense operate in the NFL with players of his own choosing.

But that’s all a little too rational a train of thought to entertain in the first few days of NFL free agency.

People lashed out. Fans. Members of the media. Upset, as human-nature dictates, because they didn’t understand what was happening. New is scary.

But then the Eagles did something measured and rational: they came to terms with former Charger Ryan Mathews on a reasonable four year deal. Mathews is a logical replacement. A younger Frank Gore. Productive when healthy.

The world made a little more sense.

Until Wednesday evening when it didn’t.

‘DeMarco Murray to the Eagles’ rumors began popping up. What? The Eagles had jettisoned McCoy because he cost too much, right? Why sign the premiere back in free agency to what would surely be a large deal? What would it mean for Ryan Mathews who’d already flown into town presumably to sign a deal?

By late Wednesday, #WaitingForDeMarco and #DeMarcoToEagles were trending on Twitter. It was announced that DeMarco would travel to Philadelphia for a visit on Thursday.

So we went to bed. Wondering if this was a ploy. Was DeMarco Murray using the Eagles to try to get the Cowboys to sweeten their offer. Were the Eagles feigning interest in DeMarco to force their fiercest rival into spending more cash?

Thursday came and the website crossingbroad.com tracked Murray’s plane. News helicopters followed him from the airport to the NovaCare complex. It was as comical as it was confusing.

By Thursday afternoon we knew it was happening: DeMarco Murray was an Eagle.

Oh, and Ryan Mathews? Him, too: he signed-on just hours after Murray.

So the Eagles backfield went from a heavy dose of LeSean McCoy with a sprinkling of Darren Sproles…

… to (I’m guessing) a slathering of DeMarco Murray, a healthy dusting of Ryan Mathews, and that same sprinkling of Sproles.

Why? Why did the Eagles trade away an $11 million dollar back to sign two more at what combines to equal nearly the same price?

There are tons of logical answers:

The Eagles turned LeSean McCoy into Ryan Mathews, DeMarco Murray, and young stud linebacker Kiko Alonso (the player they got in the McCoy trade.) Three players for the price of one.

The Eagles also signed Murray to a much more team friendly contract than any McCoy would have taken. The totals look similar. But NFL contracts are never about totals. Murray deal is worth far less in guaranteed cash and can be ended after two years will little risk to the Eagles and after three years with no risk at all.

The Eagles are also, now, able to spread the load of carries between two lead-backs. Ostensibly preserving both of them for the end of games and the end of the season… when things seem to matter most. Also potentially extending each of their careers.

“I can’t say enough great things about DeMarco. He is obviously a true professional, came in as a true professional. Obviously he had the right people guiding him to get to this point. He went to Oklahoma, big school and a lot of times when you are in a situation where things are earned, sometimes you take them for granted and he’s the type that never takes anything for granted.”

But I maintain that this wasn’t as much about logic as it was about fit.

I’ve long said (and written) that McCoy is not a ‘Chip Kelly’ guy: in personality or running style: He is loud and brash. He wants to be the focus. He complains when he isn’t. He makes headlines for battling with his child’s mother on Twitter and for leaving a $.20 tip on a $60 bill. He often refuses to hit the hole. He’d rather see what he can make happen using his dynamic ability to make people miss. He relies on speed and uncanny elusiveness which results in a magnificent-if-inconsistent running style.

Ryan Mathews is well-liked. Considered quiet, mature, and hard working. Michael Gehlkin of the UT San Diego says, of Mathews:

“He was regarded for his work ethic and, although a bit reclusive from a personality standpoint and uncomfortable with the media attention… was considered a very good teammate. In 2013, he bought his entire offensive line Gucci watches when he rushed for a career-high 1,255 yards in the first full 16-game season of his career.”

Chip Kelly talks about wanting people who love football: Not what football gets them. He talks about professionalism and intelligence. And about work-ethic. Former teammate Miles Austin had this to say about DeMarco Murray back in 2012:

Sep 8, 2014; Glendale, AZ, USA; San Diego Chargers running back Ryan Mathews (24) against the Arizona Cardinals at University of Phoenix Stadium. The Cardinals defeated the Chargers 18-17. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Even in their respective goodbyes to their former fan-bases, Murray was concise and genuine, saying of Dallas fans:

“I’m sure their feelings are hurt. I apologize for that. I’m ready to move on and I’m glad to be a part of this organization.”

McCoy? Passive aggressively knocked Chip Kelly by telling the media he was glad to be, “Somewhere where I’m appreciated,” and failing to even mention Kelly (whose offense made McCoy a superstar) in a long instagram message thanking all those who helped him in Philly. A message in which he reminded everyone that he’s the franchise’s all-time leading rusher.

Murray and Mathews are a welcome breath of fresh air into an organization that has made it clear it’s looking for maturity and a willingness to be coached without questioning. They are both backs that won’t mind sharing the load if it helps the team succeed. And backs that wanted to play for Chip Kelly. Backs that Chip Kelly wanted.

On the field, they are two of the best backs in the NFL running out of the shotgun: a formation the Eagles use often. One-cut power backs with enough agility and elusiveness to be star runners but with a natural predilection for seeing a hole, hitting it hard, and getting the yards that are available to them.

The kind of running Chip Kelly believes will take his offense to the next level.

It’s not the team it was a week ago: Sam Bradford is the franchise quarterback. DeMarco Murray is the lead back and the team’s most recognizable star. It looks like running back by committee. Brandon Graham has replaced Trent Cole as the veteran pass rushing linebacker of choice. Byron Maxwell has been brought in to help usher in a culture of physicality in the secondary. Kiko Alonso and possibly Walter Thurmond figure to be new starters on defense.

Sep 29, 2013; Denver, CO, USA; Philadelphia Eagles head coach Chip Kelly talks to Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver DeSean Jackson (10) during the game against the Denver Broncos at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

Pillars of the Andy Reid era are gone: Todd Herremans. Trent Cole. LeSean McCoy. Jeremy Maclin.

We have no way of knowing if this team is better or worse. But can be sure that it’s more Chip Kelly-like than it’s ever been before. That’s been the theme of this week: Making Chip Kelly’s Eagles.

Is it crazy to call this the biggest week in the history of the Philadelphia Eagles?

Depends on what you mean by ‘biggest,’ I guess. But I’m not so sure that it is.

After-all: If this team wins a Super Bowl under the leadership of Kelly… if he leads the Eagles to their first Lombardi Trophy… if this experiment furthers Chip’s revolutionizing of offense in the NFL and if defenses are forced to adjust what they do to combat it…

… This week will have been the starting point.

And if Chip Kelly runs this team into the ground… if he bolts, in two years, for the NCAA and leaves this franchise with a roster full of injured stars on bad contracts… in a position where the Eagles need to rebuild from the ground up…

… This week will have been the starting point.

No matter where we go from here: This is the week that started it all.

Next: Eagles' Biggest Week: Part One.

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