Jeff Stoutland reveals one of his 'best ideas' was someone else's decision

This one's for those of you who still don't believe that Nick Sirianni knows what he is doing.

Jeff Stoutland, Philadelphia Eagles
Jeff Stoutland, Philadelphia Eagles | Eric Hartline-Imagn Images

Sometimes, we argue about what the most important aspects of coaching are. Some love a 'player's coach' (Dan Campbell). Others like rigid guys who only care about the X's and O's (Bill Belichick). You guys probably already know where this is headed, right? Welcome to yet another story about Nick Sirianni's qualifications to remain as the Philadelphia Eagles head coach.

Once the info leaked that Kellen Moore and Vic Fangio would have full autonomy over their respective sides of the ball and that they would run the show with minimal interference, mostly everyone asked the same question...

'Okay, so, what are Nick Sirianni's roles and responsibilities again'?

Some of the feedback has ventured past levels of respectability, questioning not only his football smarts but his overall I.Q.

Nick must be graded differently however because there are so many things he does well that may not result in cool PFF statistics, but they do result in wins and losses. Just check his resume and how far his players will go to defend him.

Two Super Bowl appearances in his first four seasons as head coach... A postseason appearance to end each of his first four regular seasons...

He has to be doing something right. No one could fake being good at their job for that long.

One of the best coaching decisions of the Eagles season was Nick Sirianni's idea, even though we have been crediting someone else for its invention.

Some call Jeff Stoutland a genius. They should... He has made great players into Pro Bowlers and sure-fire Pro Football Hall of Fame inductees. He also took an Australian rugby player who never played American football and transformed him into a Second-Team All-Pro and one of the top left tackles in the game.

You do realize Jordan Mailata didn't even know how to strap his helmet on when he arrived, right?

Stout is so beloved by the Eagles family that he has survived three different coaching tenures. He's also why Kliff Kingsbury is in Washington. He wanted to bring in his own O-line coach, and Philly said 'No way Jose'.

Jeff is the best at what he does, but as it turns out, one of the best decisions he made this season wasn't his idea at all. Moving Mekhi Becton to right guard? Oh, that was all on Nick Sirianni!

So, you're telling us Nick Sirianni might know a little something about what he's doing? Who knew? No wonder why these guys keep winning even though the assistant coaches change!

Some say that great players and good assistant coaches have carried Nick. Here's a serious question. Can you name a great coach who lacked either?

Look at Bill Walsh's coaching staff. Count all of the All-Pros and Hall of Famers on his roster. Look at Mike Holmgren's coaching tree. You might be shocked when you see who is mentioned.

You know how people are though. They believe all offensive coordinators do is call plays on Sunday. These are the same people who think the QB coach doesn't do anything because he doesn't. That's the world we live in folks!

Sure, Coach Sirianni isn't the best guy to draw up plays, but that doesn't mean he's clueless as a head coach. Look at the results. Look at how hard his players play for him. Compare him to other guys around the NFL. Who would you rather have leading your football team?

That shouldn't be ignored when drawing up his approval rating.

Maybe it isn't Nick's knowledge of the game that we should be questioning. Maybe we should question that of a few others. One thing is certain. If he wins a Super Bowl on Sunday, there's no accolade we will be able to take from him.

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