Posts Tagged ‘Chip Kelly’

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Philadelphia Eagles, Jason Peters agree to 5-year deal

Thursday, February 27th, 2014

by Brandyn Campbell

Brandyn Blog

 

 

 

 

 

Jason-Peters

 

A priority for any football team during the offseason is to take care of those who have taken care of them. The Philadelphia Eagles did just that on Wednesday when they signed All-Pro LT Jason Peters to a 5-year contract extension.

The veteran offensive lineman rebounded from injuring his Achilles twice during the 2012 offseason, leading him to miss all of the 2012 season. Peters returned to the Eagles in 2013 and produced yet another successful season with the Birds that got him his sixth Pro Bowl nod. The strength and stability of the o-line, with Peters’ assistance, led RB LeSean McCoy to a record setting season as the NFL’s leading rusher and helped QB Nick Foles have a breakout season.

The deal, according to CSNPhilly’s Reuben Frank, will pay Peters an average of $10 million a year.

Head coach Chip Kelly had nothing but praise for Peters:

“There aren’t many people cut from the same cloth as Jason Peters.To be able to bounce back from two Achilles injuries and return to an All-Pro level speaks not only to his incredible athleticism, but proves just how hard he works at his game. Having him at left tackle provides a lot of comfort to our quarterback and to our entire offense. He’s a guy that many players look up to in our locker room.”

General Manager Howie Roseman spoke further on why securing Peters to the team until 2018 was a priority for the team.

“Jason is everything you look for in a left tackle. The unique blend of size, speed and athleticism that Jason possesses is something that everyone wants in an offensive lineman. However, what really makes him unique is his desire to improve day in and day out despite the fact that he’s played at an elite level for so many years. We are truly rewarding Jason’s excellence, as he’s a guy who has made six Pro Bowl appearances and has been selected an All-Pro five times. We’re excited to be able to keep him in Philadelphia for years to come.”

Peters is regarded by many as the best left tackle in the game, and with extending the 32-year old’s contract,  the Eagles rewarded Peters for his hard work while securing his talent  for the next several years.

Peters speaks about his new deal here:

 

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Brandyn Campbell of Philly Sports Muse, for War Room Sports

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Philadelphia Eagles announce Bill Musgrave as new QB coach, other additions to coaching staff

Tuesday, January 28th, 2014

by Brandyn Campbell

Brandyn Blog

 

 

 

 

 

When your quarterback is Nick Foles and he delivers the series of astonishing performances that marked his 2013 season, your quarterbacks coach is going to be in demand. That was indeed the case with the Philadelphia Eagles, who saw Bill Lazor  depart the Birds to become the offensive coordinator for the Miami Dolphins.

After many reports, the Eagles confirmed on Monday that Bill Musgrave joined the team as its new quarterbacks coach. This is his second stint with the team. Musgrave previously served as offensive assistant with the team in 1998 before finishing the final 10 games of the season as offensive coordinator.

Since his original time with the Eagles, Musgrave has accumulated a wealth of experience around the NFL. Most recently he served as the offensive coordinator of the Minnesota Vikings from 2011-13, where he helped guide RB Adrian Peterson, the league’s MVP in 2012. Prior to his time with the Vikings, Musgrave spent five seasons (2006-10) as the quarterbacks coach for the Atlanta Falcons, where he worked with Matt Ryan to set career highs in touchdowns (28), passer rating (91.0) and passing yards (3,705) in 2010 while guiding the team to their first NFC South title since 2004. He has also spent time on the coaching staffs of the Redskins, Jaguars, Panthers around the league, as well as the University of Virginia in the college ranks.

The Eagles also announced that Michael Clay joins the organization as the team’s defensive quality control coach. Clay was a former linebacker under Chip Kelly at the University of Oregon. A four-year letterman for the Ducks from 2009-12, Clay, 22, earned second-team All-Pac 12 honors as a senior after recording 101 tackles, three sacks and one forced fumble while starting all 12 contests. He was an unsigned with the Miami Dolphins in 2013 but ultimately did not make the team.

Mike Dawson was promoted to the assistant defensive line coach after the 2013 season as the team’s defensive quality control coach. Dawson helped the Eagles defense rank tied for third in the NFL in games holding their opponents to 21-or-fewer points after a rocky start to the season by the D.

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Brandyn Campbell of Philly Sports Muse, for War Room Sports

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Victory Monday for the Philadelphia Eagles

Monday, December 30th, 2013

by Brandyn Campbell

Brandyn Blog

 

 

 

 

Eagles 2013 NFC East Champs

 

This time last year, Andy Reid was a victim of Black Monday in the NFL and the Eagles’ future was entirely uncertain. Fast forward twelve months later, and under head coach Chip Kelly the Birds went 10-6 in their season and are the NFC East Champions.

That’s right. We are the champions.

In their final regular season game in Dallas on Sunday, the Eagles did not play their finest football. The offense was stalled, Nick Foles was all too often without protection and there were some head-scratching play calls. The defense kept the team in play all the way to the very end, when Brandon Boykin’s interception of Kyle Orton sealed the Eagles’ victory.

It was a stressful game. Many of us thought we’d experience heart failure before it was all over. But they did it. Not only did Philadelphia win the NFC East title, they did it by beating Dallas in Dallas. It’s a beautiful thing.

The Birds will face the New Orleans Saints at the Linc on Saturday. They have 24 hours to celebrate Sunday night’s win, and then it’s time to prepare for a New Orleans teams that won’t be easy to beat. The Eagles’ pass rush struggled against Orton. If they do the same against Drew Brees, there won’t be a chance.

But we have all of the coming week to consider what Philadelphia needs to do to beat the Saints. For now, enjoy the fact that the division has been won…and that it was done by beating Dallas.

Happy Victory Monday to you all.

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Brandyn Campbell of Philly Sports Muse, for War Room Sports

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It’s official: Foles it is

Wednesday, November 27th, 2013

by Brandyn Campbell

Brandyn Blog

Nick Foles is the starter for the Eagles (Image via PhiladelphiaEagles.com) Nick Foles is the starter for the Eagles
(Image via PhiladelphiaEagles.com)

It’s hardly a surprise at this stage. It was just a matter of time until it was announced.

After Nick Foles’ historic 7-touchdown performance in Oakland in Week 9, you knew that the Philadelphia Eagles could not return to Mike Vick as their starting quarterback. Foles was simply playing too well. You had to have him play for the rest of the season to see more of what he could do.

The subject was danced around each week following that early November thrill-ride, but on Tuesday Chip Kelly made it official: Nick Foles was the Eagles’ starting quarterback for the remainder of the season. Kelly wanted the matter settled once and for all so that Foles didn’t have to “look over his shoulder” for the rest of the season. This move was done to ensure that Foles’ focus is where it needs to be: Winning games for the Eagles.

Said Kelly of the decision,

“I said the other day, I think he’s done a great job of protecting the football and not putting us in bad situations.  When we have a shot and can take it down the field, he’s proven he can do that.  He’s got a great command of what we’re doing.  He’s a lot more comfortable in what we’re doing.  So it’s just kind of an ongoing process for him.”

The Birds come off of their bye with a winning record and in the heat of battle with the Cowboys for the top spot in the division. For a team that had little expectations at the beginning of the year other than that of a rebuilding squad, they suddenly find themselves in the playoff hunt.

Vick will be the team’s number two and Kelly says that the former starter is okay with that designation. He knew that Foles would be tough to unseat. What no one knows now, however, is what the future holds for Vick’s NFL career.

While sentiments are soaring for the moment with Foles, he must stand the test of the final month of the season and all of the stress, injuries, and playoff hopes this time of year brings. He has surprised us all with his poise under pressure so far this season. If he can continue his astonishing string of performances this month, the Eagles will find themselves in an interesting position when evaluating where they sit with finding the future QB of the franchise.

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Brandyn Campbell of Philly Sports Muse, for War Room Sports

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The Eagles’ quarterback quandry

Monday, October 21st, 2013

by Brandyn Campbell

Brandyn Blog

 

 

 

 

 

Sunday was not Nick Foles’ day. (Photo via the Philadelphia Eagles)

Sunday was not Nick Foles’ day.
(Photo via the Philadelphia Eagles)

Whatever Nick Foles had for breakfast on Sunday, he shouldn’t plan to have ever again on a game day.

In the absence of any other explanation for his awful performance at the Linc against the Cowboys, let’s just go ahead and blame  it on the Wheaties. Foles wasn’t available following the game to discuss what went wrong—he left the game in the third quarter due to a head injury. Chip Kelly couldn’t explain it either, but rather than laying the blame for scoring only three points in the game only at Foles, he pointed the finger at the entire offense.

The real pity of the offense’s failings was a strong showing by the defense, who held the Cowboys to just 17 points and grabbed two interceptions from Tony Romo. With a little help in the way of points on the scoreboard, the Eagles could have won this game. Or at least been in it. But that was not the way it was to be.

Foles’ numbers were as strikingly bad this week as they were good last week.  11-for-29 for 80 yards, averaging just 2.8 yards per attempt. Ouch. In fact, when Kelly was asked how the young quarterback could go from the NFC’s offensive player of the week to disaster in seven days, he didn’t have an answer. In fact, that was his actual response. “ I don’t have an answer for it.”

With Vick inactive for the game, when Foles left  it was rookie Matt Barkley’s time to make his NFL debut. It’s probably one to forget, but we all get it—he’s a rookie. The former USC quarterback made his best throws, unfortunately, to the Cowboys, finishing the day 11/20 for 129 yards and three interceptions.

Foles’ performance should put an end to the QB controversy of the past two weeks. But the Eagles face a bigger problem in determining what viable option they have if both their starter and backup fail to return to health for next Sunday’s game against the Giants.

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Brandyn Campbell of Philly Sports Muse, for War Room Sports

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Are Greg Schiano’s Days Numbered in Tampa Bay?

Tuesday, October 15th, 2013

by Devin McMillan

Dev Blog

 

 

 

 

 

(Image via JoeBucsFan.com)

(Image via JoeBucsFan.com)

The 0-5 start of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers is taking a real toll on its fans.  Frustration is mounting game after game and the target for most of their angst is head coach Greg Schiano.  Before we even get to his issues as head coach of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, one must wonder how he was hired there in the first place, considering his only previous head coaching job was at Rutgers University, in an 11-year tenure that only saw ONE top 25 finish and NO Big East titles.

Raymond James Stadium on Sunday (Image via War Room Sports)

Raymond James Stadium on Sunday
(Image via War Room Sports)

Fast forward to the current day, 0-5 Buccaneers.  This team features a talented roster which includes quite a stout defensive unit and core pieces on offense that any competent organization could build around.  Prior to Sunday’s 31 point “eruption” by Chip Kelly’s Philadelphia Eagles, the Bucs defense was yielding an average of 17.5 points per game (amongst the best in the league) and had only given up 5 touchdowns all season before giving up 4 against the Eagles.  The offense features talented skill players such as wide receivers Vincent Jackson & Mike Williams, and running back Doug Martin.  One of the top issues Tampa fans have with the coach surrounds who is leading that offense.  It’s not that they have anything against rookie signal caller Mike Glennon; but Schiano spent significant time in the offseason convincing fans that Josh Freeman was his guy.  Since that time, not only has Greg Schiano benched Josh Freeman, but he has released him and the NFLPA believes that Schiano is indeed the party that leaked information about Josh Freeman being in the NFL’s Substance-Abuse Program; information that should have never made it to the public.

Another sensitive issue for Bucs fans is the manner in which the team has used newly acquired all-world cornerback Darrelle Revis.  One fan at Sunday’s game told me, “they go out and get the best man-to-man cornerback in the world and then put him in a bunch of zone coverages”.  This was evident on Sunday as DeSean Jackson beat Revis on two touchdown passes, both of which apparently were supposed to feature safety help that never came.  When asked after the game, Revis refused to complain about the coverages called, and said only that “the players have to execute no matter what is called by the coaches”.

Tensions are boiling over in Bucs Nation, as the stands on Sunday were sparsely peppered with creative signs calling for Schiano’s job and the boos and jeers he received during the game only got nastier as he exited the field through the tunnel at game’s end.  This is one of those classic cases that always make us wonder how much management/ownership listens to the team personnel complaints of their fans.  Several callers into the Tampa sports radio stations directly address the Glazers in their Greg Schiano rants.  The fans have had enough.  There are rumors that many on the football team have also had enough.  Has Buccaneers management had enough?  Most importantly, has Malcolm Glazer had enough?  That apparently is the $15 million question.

 

Devin McMillan of The War Room, for War Room Sports

 

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Strange week comes to a conclusion as Philadelphia Eagles and Tampa Bay Buccaneers face off

Sunday, October 13th, 2013

by Brandyn Campbell

Brandyn Blog

 

 

 

 

 

Nick Foles, the likely quarterback in Sunday’s game, will face Mike Glennon rather than Josh Freeman in his second consecutive year of facing the team.

Nick Foles, the likely quarterback in Sunday’s game, will face Mike Glennon rather than Josh Freeman in his second consecutive year of facing the team.

 

It’s been a strange week leading up to the Philadelphia Eagles’ game with Tampa Bay.

Mike Vick, still sporting a hamstring injury from the Week 5 matchup against the Giants, was limited in practice during the week. When asked if he would get the start against the Bucs, his answer was that he would play this Sunday if he “had to.”

Though Chip Kelly said he wouldn’t reveal whether Vick or Nick Foles would get the start in Tampa Bay, Vick’s answer said everything we need to know.

Expect to see Foles get the start.

Amid the nuttiness of non-answers to the questions of the extent of Vick’s injury and if he or Foles would be leading the team’s offense in Week 6, an issue completely out of left field: Issues with the drug-resistant infection MRSA at the Bucs’ facility. Despite two cleaning treatments from an outside company after two Tampa Bay players came down with the infection, a third was diagnosed with the infection. After a day of uncertainty, the NFLPA determined that there was no risk to other players and the game would continue as scheduled on Sunday.

The MRSA incident isn’t all that’s been odd in Tampa Bay. Josh Freeman was demoted from being a starter after subpar performance and, apparently, being late to a team picture. Then, he was made inactive the week of his demotion until, finally, he was cut from the team. Accordingly, the Eagles will face rookie Mike Glennon, who will be making only his second start in the NFL.  Does that mean that Philadelphia has the clear advantage?

Not so fast. The Eagles should and I believe will win this game, but it’s not going to be the cake walk some anticipate against the winless Buccaneers.  Tampa Bay is a team desperate for a win and coming off of their Bye. They have a stout pass defense. And I’m sure the team execs would like to hand Chip Kelly a loss after he denied their overtures last year.

Philadelphia’s still struggling defense should be able to rattle the rookie and Tampa’s awful offense. But the Eagles’ offense will see its star receiver, DeSean Jackson, face Darrelle Revis. Jackson said earlier in the week that he wasn’t ‘fraid of no Revis Island, but it’s going to be a stiff competition for both men. Foles will need to be on his game in order to combat a surprisingly effective defense that has only given up five TD passes this season. Thankfully, he has experience leading the Birds to victory over the Bucs, as he did it last year.

A strange lead-up will result in two teams desperate for wins. The Eagles seek to even up their record and further increase their confidence before heading into back-to-back division games, and the Buccaneers need to get just one “W” under their belts to get truly begin the Glennon era. Despite this being a matchup of two teams with losing records it will be a close game.

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Brandyn Campbell of Philly Sports Muse, for War Room Sports

 

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NFL: 10 Things We Learned From Week 1

Wednesday, September 11th, 2013

by Ricky O’Neil

Ricky O Blog

 

 

 

 

 

(Photo courtesy of HeavyInTheGames.com)

(Photo courtesy of HeavyInTheGames.com)

Week 1 of the NFL is behind us and there can be alot of things to be excited about. Rookies finally getting starts, players coming back from injuries, and one of the most outstanding single game performances we have ever seen. These are some of the important things that I learned while watching.

1. Peyton Manning is not human
Manning decided to open the season with an outstanding performance. SEVEN passing touchdowns against the Baltimore Ravens. The addition of Wes Welker helped, Demaryius Thomas is still catching TDs, and also the Ravens not having Ed Reed or Ray Lewis could have played a role.

2. Adrian Peterson could very well break the single season rushing TD record
We all know what type of running back AP is, but did we really think his very first carry would go for a touchdown? 78 yards straight to the house on the first play from scrimmage for the Vikings. Even though he only had 93 yards, he also had 3 TDs. 25 more in 15 games is possible.

3. The Steelers defense is not what it once was
This being my favorite team, it saddens me to say this, but the years of the Steelers ruling the defensive side of the ball are over. James Harrison gone, rush defense not as good, but at least they’re still making some type of effort, only losing by 7.

4. Geno Smith Prospering???
Even though playing the Bucs, Geno Smith and the NY Jets got a victory in Week 1. Smith threw for 256 yards and one TD, and also rushed six times for 47 yards. Now let’s not look too far into it because they play New England this week.

5. Tom Brady is still Tom Brady
They played the Bills…The game should not have been close at all in my opinion, but it became interesting late in the game. Tom Brady put together a game-winning drive (like usual) and the Patriots won by 2 with a late FG. Brady threw for 288 yards with 2 TDs. “Brady being Brady.”

6. Chip Kelly’s offense is very exciting
The Eagles got a W to start the season off and Chip Kelly got the game ball afterwards. The fast-pace offense had a total of 77 offensive plays. It was great to see the “Oregon Style” offense in the NFL. Plus Mike Vick is the PERFECT guy to be running it.

7. RG3 was nervous stepping back onto the field
Even though the Redskins put up a fight late in the game, RG3 did not look like himself in the first half of his game Monday night. Scared to take a hit of any kind. But as he got back into the groove of the game, he started stepping up and rushing a little bit. The Redskins still lost by 6.

8. Philip Rivers can’t close a game out
The Chargers were winning ALL GAME… Philip Rivers was having a great game. The Chargers defense was stepping up, making all the big stops needed. Houston started a comeback, and all Rivers needed to do was hold on to the football. Of course, deep in his own endzone, throws a pick 6 and Houston tied the game up. After that, Houston ends up kicking a FG to win the game. SMH… Same Ole Rivers.

9. Carson is on his way back!
Don’t get me wrong, I’m not saying he is going to win MVP, but Arizona could be the best place for him. Not a bad defense, plus Larry Fitzgerald to throw to…not bad. Losing by 3 to the Rams isn’t a good start with a new team though.

10. Colin Kaepernick can throw the ball just a well as he can run
Playing the Green Bay Packers, Kaepernick stayed in the pocket more often than not. Throwing for 412 yards, 3 TDs, 0 INTs, becoming the only 49ers QB (other than Joe Montana) to throw for 400 yards, 3 TDs, and 0 INTs.

Week 1 was very exciting and we have 15 more regular season weeks to go… And as for my Fantasy leagues, I went 4-1 so I’m a happy NFL fan
FOOTBALL IS BACK!!!!!

 

Ricky O’Neil of ITMORO, for War Room Sports

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Questions about the Philadelphia Eagles season begin getting answers tonight

Monday, September 9th, 2013

by Brandyn Campbell

Brandyn Blog

 

 

 

 

 

Philadelphia Eagles football is back. It’s a celebration!

Philadelphia Eagles football is back. It’s a celebration!

It’s finally here. Game day for the Philadelphia Eagles. It’s like Christmas in September.

It’s a great matchup to launch the season’s Monday night games. Chip Kelly’s NFL debut versus the unveiling of Robert Griffin III following 8 months of rehab. Is he truly healthy? Who will prevail?

The innumerable questions about the Birds from the offseason finally begin to get answered tonight. How will Kelly’s offense transition to the NFL? Will the transition to a 3-4 defense serve to address some of the challenges the D has had the past several seasons?

Both the Eagles and Redskins had the other’s number last season when playing with a healthy starting quarterback. Will Mike Vick and RG3 make the difference this game or will Philadelphia need to rely on the yet-to-be proven defense?

Both team’s defenses will face significant threats from the air and the ground. LeSean McCoy remains one of the most significant weapons on offense in Philadelphia’s arsenal. And Washington has the talents of 2nd year breakout Alfred Morris.

One of the biggest questions that remains for the Birds is how Philadelphia’s secondary–underwhelming in 2012 and the 2013 preseason–will perform. Is the unit still a work in progress or will they begin to make a turnaround?

To be sure, one game won’t answer every question definitively. But it’s a start, and closer than we’ve ever been before.

A new era begins today in Philadelphia Eagles football. That’s no small fact. A new coach, new players, new philosophy.

Let’s get this party started.

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Brandyn Campbell of Philly Sports Muse, for War Room Sports

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Mike Vick named Philadelphia Eagles starting quarterback

Tuesday, August 20th, 2013

by Brandyn Campbell

Brandyn Blog

 

 

 

 

 

Mike Vick, the Philadelphia Eagles’ starting quarterback for the 2013 season.

Mike Vick, the Philadelphia Eagles’ starting quarterback for the 2013 season.

 

Ladies and gentlemen, we have a starting quarterback in Philadelphia. On Tuesday, Philadelphia Eagles head coach Chip Kelly announced what we have all been waiting to find out almost as soon as he took over as head coach: who would be under center come the start of the regular season.

And now we have our answer. Mike Vick will be the starting quarterback on Week 1 versus the Redskins and for the entirety of the season, winning the starting spot over second-year QB Nick Foles. Vick has looked sharp in the preseason and many have believed that the starting job was his to lose. Now that the spot is his once again, the pressure to eliminate the costly turnovers that attributed to the Eagles’ abysmal 4-12 2012 season is on as well.

Kelly’s announcement comes just in time for the spotlight to shine on Vick on Saturday when the Eagles face the Jaguars for their third preseason game, where he will see action perhaps into the third quarter.

Citing completion percentages from practices that were almost identical (Vick at 80% and Foles at 79%), Kelly feels that both quarterbacks pushed the other to strong performances this offseason. He came to Philadelphia from Oregon without “preconceived notions” about his quarterbacks. So how did he come to his decision?

“I think Mike is ahead right now.  I think Nick made it very difficult.  It wasn’t where one guy went north and the other guy went south.  I think both of them upped their games.  But at this point in time Mike’s ahead.

We want to move forward.  This is a one‑quarterback operation.  This isn’t going to be someone’s got to look over their shoulder or we’re going to alternate by series.  I think Mike is ahead right now.”

Kelly stresses that his plan on offense depends on his QB’s strengths, not who the quarterback would be. With two games remaining in the preseason, he is slowly beginning to reveal some of what we can expect to see in the regular season from the Eagles.

Now that the questions about the starter have been answered, it’s now time for Vick to show  on the field just what about his play lead him to gain his new head coach’s confidence.

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Brandyn Campbell of Philly Sports Muse, for War Room Sports

 

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