Looking Back on the Eagles 2014 Draft Rumors
By Dave Searles
Dec 31, 2013; Atlanta, GA, USA; Texas A&M Aggies quarterback Johnny Manziel (2) speaks to fans after the game against Duke Blue Devils in the 2013 Chick-fil-A Bowl at the Georgia Dome. The Aggies won 52-48. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Liles-USA TODAY Sports
A New Gunslinger in Town?
It wouldn’t be right to omit the most polarizing discussion of the pre-Draft Eagles Twitter community. Could the Philadelphia Eagles really be interested in Texas A&M quarterback Johnny Manziel? Would Chip Kelly really consider moving Nick Foles, who led the Eagles to an NFC East title and is on an extremely team-friendly contract, in order to make this dream scenario happen?
Howie Roseman has constantly gone on record about wanting the “best player available” and how they won’t let a specific position of need (or lack thereof) affect their board. If the Eagles see Manziel as a top tier player and he falls within striking range, they’d be crazy to not consider moving up for him. It’s due diligence.
We’re all well aware that the new Eagles regime will do whatever they feel is best, and that the stats don’t matter if you don’t fit for “football reasons.” However, it is absolutely asinine to me to consider the idea that the Eagles are open to trading Nick Foles. The team had the opportunity to do so last season, as it was rumored the Kansas City Chiefs were interested in dealing for Foles.
The assumption that Chip Kelly won’t rest until he has Michael Vick circa Madden NFL 2004’s real-life equivalent is reaching a level of baseless narrative that feels contrived to perpetuate a stereotype of an offensive system that Kelly simply doesn’t need in order to win at the NFL level as badly as everyone wants to believe.
Mark Sanchez isn’t exactly who comes to mind when idealizing a “Chip Kelly” mobile quarterback– Colin Kaepernick, Robert Griffin III, or even the “perfect scheme fit” Michael Vick. He can move around a pocket and extend plays, and that seems to fit in line with why the Eagles traded up for Matt Barkley in the fourth round of the 2013 NFL Draft.
The NFL might salivate at the idea of Johnny Manziel running Chip Kelly’s offense, but Chip Kelly proved in 2013 that he doesn’t need Johnny Manziel to win.