Eagles Fans Seem To Agree With Firing Of Chip Kelly
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) - The Philadelphia Eagles will wrap up their disappointing season this weekend against the New York Giants without Chip Kelly as their head coach. Team owner Jeffrey Lurie fired Kelly Tuesday, days after the team was eliminated from playoff contention. It is the second straight year the Eagles have failed to make the postseason under Kelly. His release has drawn strong reaction from fans across the city.
Plenty of Eagles fans were having breakfast at the Oregon Diner in South Philadelphia — and the talk at the tables was all about the firing of Kelly.
"I wasn't surprised. I think they needed to make the move," said Pat from South Philadelphia.
That was the overwhelming consensus, with many agreeing that they couldn't stomach Kelly as the head coach anymore.
"He's a college coach, not an NFL coach. And he never stepped up to the plate," explained one woman thumbing through the Philadelphia Daily News - the front and back covers dedicated to Kelly's release.
"Can't get rid of everybody and not produce results, especially in a city like this where if you're not winning, you have to leave," said Mark, who welcomed the team hiring the former Oregon head coach in January 2013. "I was excited about this then he comes, gets rid of a few players, puts his offense in. I thought we would be just as successful (as Oregon) but this season we had more 3 and outs than just about anybody in the league."
Fans were hammering Kelly's decision making, his emphasis of team culture over talent, which led to getting rid of stars like DeSean Jackson and LeSean McCoy.
"If you're going to make drastic changes and not have drastic results then you've got to go," Mark continued.
"Players actually started refusing to play. So, he just totally destroyed the team," said Ricardo. "This team is going back to the drawing board and rebuild again. The suffering begins. I guess it's also the healing process, so we'll start healing now."
"Talent with culture will work," said Scott, a Cherry Hill native who has been an Eagles season ticket holder since 1968. "My father is 80 years-old and to go a lifetime without having a Super Bowl championship - we've been to both Super Bowls and failed and it's got to end."
