How Will Chip Kelly React To Early Adversity?

The Chip Kelly era that was full of speculation and uncertainty has now been dealt its first taste of adversity.  Jeremy Maclin has been subtracted from the intricate equation that is Kelly’s offense.  Maclin’s skill-set provided Kelly with the ability to utilize him in multiple formation sets.  The smaller, speedier wide-receivers the Eagles showcased as recent as last season, have decreased in number and are currently replaced by the taller and more physical type players.   What can the loss of Jeremy Maclin do for this Eagles team beyond the increased role that Riley Cooper now takes on?  In my opinion, it allows for the new coach to rally the troops, build their confidence and help them over the season’s first hurdle.

Maybe I’m looking at the glass half full or I’m coming from this all wrong.  I’m trying to be logical, positive and open-minded that our new coach will look at other ways to get the offense going.   Rather than forcing other players to attempt to be something they are not; and attempt to duplicate the type of player Maclin was, I envision Kelly maximizing the player talent that he has remaining on his roster.  There are no other Jeremy Maclin’s on this team.  Benn has some similarities in the physical make-up, but nowhere near the professional resume.

Pound the rock with McCoy and Brown.  Throw the ball out of the backfield to McCoy, Brown, and Casey.  Bubble screens to DeSean or Damarius in trip-sets with big bodies Riley Cooper and Brent Celek out in front to provide down the field blocking.  Three tight-end sets with Ertz breaking his route mid-way to create miss-matches with his speed and athleticism as slower linebackers try to stay step by step with him.  Throw in your play-action and take your chances with DeSean going deep to keep the secondary from always bumping him at the line of scrimmage.

The need for quick delivery, smart read and reaction by the quarterback will minimize turnovers and allow for the up-tempo and disguised formations to be executed successfully.  When you stay consistent with running the football, when defenses have to respect that part of an offense, you will have better success with throwing the football.

Deep speed and quickness are two completely different things for Chip Kelly.  He views quickness as your ability to get in and out of your routes with absolute precision.  Your ability to make “mental” adjustments with the time you put in watching film throughout the week studying tendencies of your opponent.  D-Jax running past his defenders was something Andy Reid looked to do, until it was all he looked to do and no longer was successful.  Kelly won’t limit Jackson to specific routes, you just have to hope Desean does not limit where he is willing to travel in the playing field.

If you can’t replace, re-think, re-structure and re-commit.  Look at the players and talent that you have, do not try to make those players Jeremy Maclin.  This is a challenge, but conquering challenges is what Kelly was hired to do.  A lost player does not hinder great teams; it promotes a sense of urgency and allows for others to step up.  Under Kelly, other players will step up, he will ensure this.  The new era of Eagles football will rise when faced with these types of challenges, I ask for the fan base to be confident, trusting and patient throughout the process.