Micah Henry Staff Writer
Oh man, oh man not again. Another offseason with expectations soaring high, have so far soared very close to the ground, according to many eagles fans. “We are going to the Super Bowl this year!” “We have the most talented and deep team in the league!” Comments like this suffocated social media over the offseason, and what an offseason it was to remember.
In 2014 the eagles ranked #2 overall in the NFL for their offensive line. Ranking 10th in pass blocking, and 1st in run blocking, however a blemish was 27th in penalties, yet that could have been a factor of injuries. At week 3 during the 2014 NFL regular season, the eagles offensive line situation was kind of a mess. Lane Johnson was in the midst of serving a four game suspension, which he had one more game left to serve, potentially returning in week 5. Jason Kelce suffered a sports hernia and was expected to miss 6-8 weeks. Thankfully he managed to return in week 9 vs. the Texans and after week 9, Mccoy had four games of 99 or more rushing yards for the rest of the season. In total the Eagles finished with 6,348 offensive yards in 2014. Amazing due to the fact, that Evan Mathis was out from week one till week 10 in which he returned and the Eagles trampled the now 12-0 panthers, 45-21. Allen Barbre was also injured, out for the season, but he would most likely be a non factor if he were healthy. In all, the Eagles offensive line suffered greatly yet still managed to have the 3rd best total offense in the NFL in 2014, incredible. Now, the question is what happened to the Philadelphia Eagles? Eagles fans scream, “Chip Kelly has ruined the Eagles!” Yet in reality, he has just made it his team, a team that is learning to play together one game at a time.
In 2015, the Philadelphia Eagles are 5-7. Not what fans expected. Yet that raises another question, what should the fans have expected for this season? Fans should have expected rebuilding. Fans should not have expected a 12-0 start, 500 offensive yards per game, allowed two points per game, melodramatic examples, but the point is understood. We released an offensive lineman, who wanted to leave, in Evan Mathis. Mathis wanted more money but the Eagles, and Chip Kelly, thought it was better for the team to not spend so much on a guard. Mathis is a very talented player, yet Chip thought the Eagles’ money had better use. Another guard to leave the flock this past winter, Todd Herremans. Who was also a great guard for the Eagles. Yet once again, it saved the Eagles money. Also in the offseason, in short, we traded Lesean Mccoy for Kiko Alonso, Nick Foles for Sam Bradford, released the heart of the Eagles defense in Trent Cole, for reasons understandable, released Cary Williams, signed Byron Maxwell, signed Ryan Matthews, signed Demarco Murray, let Jeremy Maclin sign with the Chiefs and sent Brandon Boykin to the Steelers. These being just some of the offseason transactions, but clearly the most important. For as anyone can see, Chip Kelly is making his own team.
Looking around sports, you see teams such as the Kansas City Royals, the Golden State Warriors, the Carolina Panthers. All teams who three or some years ago, were irrelevant as top teams in their respected sports, baseball, basketball, and football. Yet they knew the talent they had and their coaches and GM’s knew it would not all come together in one year, or even two. Building a successful, championship team is a process that could take 3 years or ten, but it will happen if you have the right person behind the scheme, and Chip Kelly is that person for the Eagles.
In an interview with loyal Eagles fan, Jesse Shutter, he stated his firm opinion on Chip Kelly and the 2015 Philadelphia Eagles.
“Chip Kelly is an intelligent guy who devotes his life to football. However, sometimes he makes stupid play calls that might cause the Eagles a game.”
“The Eagles are good guys, as an organization, yet they tend to be choke artists and mess up at the worst times.”
“The Eagles, however, will make the playoffs because they will win their last two games.”
It is rebuilding time for the Philadelphia Eagles. This will be a process, we are not the best team this year, but we have been improving. In a few years the Eagles will be legitimate playoff contender. As everyone noticed, the Eagles lost this past Sunday night to the Cardinals 40-17, the third time the Eagles have allowed 40 or more points in the last four weeks. Amazingly, if we win the last two games of the season, we are in the playoffs. Most likely, we will not do much in the playoffs if we get there, but we will be able to say we did and Chip Kelly would then most likely return for the 2016 season. The whole team is rebuilding. The defense, offense, and coaching staff. In two or three years, the Eagles will come together, and will be a Super Bowl team. Eagles fans, just please, be patient.
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