CHERRY HILL., N.J., (CBS) – Chip Kelly was the keynote speaker at the JCC Awards in Cherry Hill Tuesday night. His speech to the crowd made no mention of the departure of his star running back.
Reports say the Eagles have reached an agreement to send LeSean McCoy to Buffalo in exchange for Linebacker Kiko Alonso. The deal cannot be made official until March 10th, but all indications are the deal is done. Kelly finished his speech to the crowd and left without talking to reporters. Meanwhile, the crowd at the JCC was still abuzz with news of the trade. Former Eagle and current WIP host Garry Cobb was the emcee of the event, and was one of the few people who wasn't surprised to hear about the reported deal.
"I could see it," said Cobb. "I'm not really that shocked. I think Chip Kelly believes in his system and that with the backs, he can still move the ball."
Despite some rough moments in the 2014 season, McCoy still rushed for 1,319 yards. Since coming to the Eagles in 2009, he has ran for 6,793 yards as an Eagle while catching 300 passes. There has been talk in the off-season about McCoy needing to restructure his contract. Cobb said dollars may have played a part in this reported trade.
"Maybe they talked and weren't able to get any change with the dollars going Shady's way," Cobb said. "That might of had a lot to do with it."
While the Eagles are reportedly losing McCoy, they will be gaining a young middle linebacker in Alonso. The 24-year-old led the Bills in tackles during his rookie season in 2013, but missed all of the 2014 campaign after tearing his ACL in the off-season. Several Eagles veterans have already been sent packing this season, and the arrival of Alonso could spell the end for DeMeco Ryans. The veteran's season was cut short last fall with a torn Achilles tendon.
"They don't know how well he is going to be able to come back," said Cobb. "But I think there is room for all of those guys to play if he's healthy. I think they've got some playmakers."
As fans wait for the trade to become official, Kelly continues to take veterans off his roster. After releasing Todd Herremans last week, the Eagles cut ties with Cary Williams on Tuesday. Reports surfaced on Tuesday that Trent Cole will also be cut by Kelly. Cobb says it is clear who has the keys to the kingdom in the Eagles' front office.
"He's building the team the way he wants to build it," Cobb said. "It clearly has got his name on it."
But LeSean McCoy's name will apparently be on the back of a Buffalo Bills uniform in 2015.
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Kelly Declines Comment On Reported McCoy Trade
/ CBS Philadelphia
By Ed Benkin
CHERRY HILL., N.J., (CBS) – Chip Kelly was the keynote speaker at the JCC Awards in Cherry Hill Tuesday night. His speech to the crowd made no mention of the departure of his star running back.
Reports say the Eagles have reached an agreement to send LeSean McCoy to Buffalo in exchange for Linebacker Kiko Alonso. The deal cannot be made official until March 10th, but all indications are the deal is done. Kelly finished his speech to the crowd and left without talking to reporters. Meanwhile, the crowd at the JCC was still abuzz with news of the trade. Former Eagle and current WIP host Garry Cobb was the emcee of the event, and was one of the few people who wasn't surprised to hear about the reported deal.
"I could see it," said Cobb. "I'm not really that shocked. I think Chip Kelly believes in his system and that with the backs, he can still move the ball."
Despite some rough moments in the 2014 season, McCoy still rushed for 1,319 yards. Since coming to the Eagles in 2009, he has ran for 6,793 yards as an Eagle while catching 300 passes. There has been talk in the off-season about McCoy needing to restructure his contract. Cobb said dollars may have played a part in this reported trade.
"Maybe they talked and weren't able to get any change with the dollars going Shady's way," Cobb said. "That might of had a lot to do with it."
While the Eagles are reportedly losing McCoy, they will be gaining a young middle linebacker in Alonso. The 24-year-old led the Bills in tackles during his rookie season in 2013, but missed all of the 2014 campaign after tearing his ACL in the off-season. Several Eagles veterans have already been sent packing this season, and the arrival of Alonso could spell the end for DeMeco Ryans. The veteran's season was cut short last fall with a torn Achilles tendon.
"They don't know how well he is going to be able to come back," said Cobb. "But I think there is room for all of those guys to play if he's healthy. I think they've got some playmakers."
As fans wait for the trade to become official, Kelly continues to take veterans off his roster. After releasing Todd Herremans last week, the Eagles cut ties with Cary Williams on Tuesday. Reports surfaced on Tuesday that Trent Cole will also be cut by Kelly. Cobb says it is clear who has the keys to the kingdom in the Eagles' front office.
"He's building the team the way he wants to build it," Cobb said. "It clearly has got his name on it."
But LeSean McCoy's name will apparently be on the back of a Buffalo Bills uniform in 2015.
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