Chip Kelly Addresses Question Marks In Eagles Secondary
By Ray Boyd
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- The secondary was one of the Eagles' biggest weaknesses in 2014. The play of that unit led to the departure of three starters in Cary Williams, Bradley Fletcher and Nate Allen.
The Eagles ranked second to last in the league in total passing yards allowed and passing yards allowed per game last season. They were also tied for 28th in touchdowns allowed and 21st in interceptions.
The Eagles addressed the need with the signings of Byron Maxwell and Walter Thurmond. The team also used three draft picks on secondary players including their 2nd round selection, Eric Rowe who played both safety and corner in his time at Utah.
The group is now very different, but still has a lot of question marks. Chip Kelly addressed that unit on Thursday.
"I think we like the group, overall," Kelly said to the media at the Novacare Complex. " We've added some depth to that position. There are a lot of guys out there competing real hard."
Competition exists at every position on a Kelly-run team, but that is the case in the secondary to a degree unlike any other position this season.
There will be a battle for the starting safety spot next to Malcolm Jenkins and the Eagles will have to find out who will play outside corner alongside Maxwell.
Kelly was non-committal about how the players stand at the moment, but he was complimentary of the bunch.
"I think our depth is better than it's ever been in the three years. Now we just have to figure out who exactly those guys are that will complement the two guys that are our starters [in] Malcolm and Byron right now. The other guys are really competing."
The other guys that Kelly is referencing include Rowe, Thurmond, Nolan Carroll, Brandon Boykin, Jaylen Watkins and Earl Wolff.
Kelly added that Thurmond, who has experience primarily as a nickel corner, is being given a chance to impress the coaches at the safety position. That spot is in question with an injury to Wolff who Kelly said is "limited," during these OTA's.
Kelly explained why he thinks Thurmond can make an impact at safety.
"He's always around the ball. I think he's had a lot of experience playing nickel, so he's been an inside guy," Kelly explained. "He can see things. He's very intelligent. He's an intuitive football player. He is the first guy out of that corner mix that is getting a shot at inside."
The Eagles value versatility and in addition to Thurmond, Watkins could get some looks at safety and the team could allow Rowe to convert back to safety where he played the majority of his college career before switching to corner.
With so many changes on the offensive side of the ball, it is easy to forget about the secondary. However, it was plays made (or not made rather) by the secondary that truly altered the Eagles season in terms of making the playoffs.
Making sure to get the right four players on the field in that unit will prove crucial for the Eagles' success in 2015.