Bell: Chip Kelly isn't afraid to gamble, but it better work
In less than a year, Philadelphia Eagles coach Chip Kelly has shown us exactly what he can do with not one, but two of the NFL's most explosive playmakers.
Send them packing.
The shocking trade of star running back LeSean McCoy to the Buffalo Bills for linebacker Kiko Alonso, to be finalized when the NFL's new year begins Tuesday, isn't as stunning when considering who pulled the trigger.
Last year, Kelly dumped DeSean Jackson, arguably the NFL's best deep threat receiver.
Now it's Shady McCoy, who only rushed for more yards than anyone in the NFL over the past five years.
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Moves like these come with Kelly, just like the revolutionary offense he introduced in 2013 when he made his NFL coaching debut.
He is not afraid, even in a place like Philly, where they once booed Santa Claus.
I like his style. Reminds me of Jimmy Johnson.
Yet I'm wondering: Has Chip Kelly lost his mind?
Speed kills in the NFL. Premium talent wins. In any system. And finding proven talent is not automatic.
That's why McCoy, said to be furious by the trade, is having difficulty swallowing this decision.
Kelly undoubtedly believes he can thrive with the replacement parts, with McCoy and other fresh departures clearing up the type of salary cap room that can be essential if used wisely. McCoy was to count $11.9 million against the Eagles' salary cap, but by parting with him, plus defensive end Trent Cole, cornerback Cary Williams and offensive lineman Todd Herremans, the Eagles are poised to head into free agency with more than $54 million in cap room.
Hello, spending spree.
Eagles faithful can only hope that this next wave doesn't play like the pre-Kelly era "Dream Team" disaster in 2011.
After cutting Jackson last April, the Eagles moved on with Jeremy Maclin, who rebounded from a torn ACL to produce a career year, and they saw second-round pick Jordan Matthews develop progressively into a run-after-catch threat.
But they still sorely missed the pop and threat from Jackson – who wound up being the best player for a division rival, despite Washington's dismal year.
What does Kelly has up his sleeve now?
There's much speculation that he will put together some package to trade up in order to draft Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback Marcus Mariota, whom he recruited to Oregon.
And personnel experts wonder whether Mariota, wherever he lands, will make the transition from the spread offense in college to thrive in the NFL. But he's perfect for Kelly's fast-paced offense.
For now, though, there's another former Oregon star in the ranks with Alonso, whose presence likely signals the end of inside linebacker DeMeco Ryan's stint in Philadelphia. Alonso had a fabulous rookie year in 2013, but is now trying to get back into form following a torn ACL.
Regardless, Kelly has what he wants. The Eagles restructured their front office to allow Kelly more power, with former GM Howie Roseman bumped upstairs and Ed Marynowitz promoted from within to become the personnel chief.
And now Kelly has the cap room to pursue the stars of the free agent class, like cornerback Byron Maxwell, safety Devin McCourty and one of the receivers, Randall Cobb or Torrey Smith. Any and all of them are sorely needed. And suddenly, there's a hole in the backfield to plug, too.
Kelly won't be deterred by the risky nature of free agency. That's the hand he's dealt himself.
But something's got to give. The Eagles finished 10-6 in both of Kelly's first two seasons. With a suspect secondary on one hand and Mark Sanchez filling in for the injured Nick Foles on the other hand, they collapsed down the stretch in 2014 with three consecutive December losses.
With home setbacks against Seattle and Dallas particularly, the Kelly system fizzled.
Now he's turned up the heat up on himself.
This had better work, or Kelly will never hear the end of it.
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Follow Jarrett Bell on Twitter @JarrettBell