Philadelphia Eagles 2015 Draft Proves Chip Kelly Doesn’t Understand NFC East
Roosevelt University Auditorium in Chicago for the 2015 NFL Draft April 30, 2015. Mandatory Photo Credit Matt Thornton
The 2015 NFL Draft is in the books. Having spent three days in Chicago while attending the drafts in previous years in New York, I can say without a doubt this was the best draft experience I have ever had. The Fan Mobile Pass shortened the wait time in lines from 8-9 hours down to a simple two hours. Additionally, the introduction of “Draft Town” where fans could interact with current and former players, play games, get customized NFL gear, and drink beer improved the entire draft experience. I give an A+ grade to the National Football League and the city of Chicago. For the Philadelphia Eagles, however, my grade is not so high. The Philadelphia Eagles 2015 draft proves Chip Kelly doesn’t understand the NFC East.
Having had the challenges along the offensive line that the Eagles had last year; not picking a single offensive lineman wreaks of misunderstanding and a lack of a plan. I wrote this article a few weeks back outlining the problem the Eagles had at the guard position. I thought for sure that Chip would grab at least one lineman in the draft. However, he decided to go wide receiver taking Nelson Agholor instead.
In contrast to Philadelphia’s decision to ignore the line, newly hired Washington Redskins Offensive Line coach Bill Callahan “gets it.” Callahan coached the best offensive line in all of football last season for the Dallas Cowboys. I guarantee the first thing Callahan did when he arrived in the District of Columbia was to implore his new team to get their offensive line straightened out. How did Washington respond, they drafted what I believe to be the best player in the entire class, Iowa OT Brandon Scherff. I wrote this article stating the player Kelly would be absolutely justified in trading up to draft would be Scherff.
But Chip said, yeah, we have gaps in our offensive line, but the Giants Oline struggled last year too. Correct, but guess what, the Giants drafted Miami OT Ereck Flowers with the number nine pick, and immediately upgraded their line in the process. Flowers plays with a mean streak and will likely start at right tackle allowing the Giants to move Justin Pugh over to guard. Look for the Giants to do a lot of running, successfully I might add, this year to the right side.
Fine, Kelly says. So the Redskins and Giants both realize that NFC East titles are won through outstanding line play, but the Dallas Cowboys stood pat. They are “resting on their laurels” so to speak, right? Wrong again, Chip! The Cowboys who had the most dominant offensive line in the NFL drafted not one but two linemen (OT Chaz Green Pick 91 and OL Laurence Gibson Pick 243). Then, adding insult to injury, the Cowboys went out and grabbed first round talent OT La’el Collins in rookie free agency, invoking the old saying that the rich get richer.
To recap, two out of four NFC East teams spent their first round picks (both in the top ten) on offensive linemen. Then the Cowboys went and spent two picks and paid a maximum contract to another highly touted undrafted free agent lineman. Why did those teams do that? Because they know that in order to win the NFC East a team must win the line of scrimmage. All three Philadelphia Eagles opponents “sold out” to this notion, and they were smart to do so. Chip Kelly, on the other hand, believes he can sustain with mediocre line play. “Poker” Chip is betting that his injured and aging line will prove the other NFC East coaches wrong by saying that he can do nothing to address the line, and everything will be just fine. Good luck with that, Chip!