Jeffrey Lurie Believes In Chip Kelly's System
Philadelphia, PA (CBS) — After rebounding from a dreadful four-win season the year before to win the NFC East in Chip Kelly's first year as head coach in 2013, Eagles' owner Jeffrey Lurie has every right to carry even larger aspirations into this season.
"There are higher expectations heading into this season," Lurie admitted on Wednesday while after watching the Eagles practice at the NovaCare Complex. "Expectations will continue to rise every year because you want to get better and better. You never want to plateau out and just getting better every day is my expectation."
Lurie has obviously bought into Kelly's system. He likes the way Kelly runs the team—the camaraderie engendered by Kelly's "team first" approach. Kelly's attitude has been pervasive throughout the building and is contagious, Lurie stressed.
Outside, it's Kelly that receives all of the accolades. Inside the NovaCare Complex, it's a different story.
"It's funny that people think that way because inside the building, it's all about working together as a team, " Lurie said. "I think one of the reasons [Kelly] has been successful, and his staff has been successful is it's been such an excellent team approach, whether it's dealing with player personnel, dealing with the trainers, dealing with sports science.
"Everyone is humble about it. Nobody is trying to take responsibility for anything. Being successful in this league is not about one person. To be better than 31 other teams, you have to work as a team."
Lurie said he feels lucky to have the dynamic of Kelly, general manager Howie Roseman and team president Don Smolenski. They've meshed their talents to turn the franchise around in one year. Whereas most thought 2013 would be a rebuilding season, it's turned into a major stepping stone toward Super Bowl talk.
This will be Lurie's 20th season as owner of the Eagles. He's been the most successful owner in franchise history. Under Lurie, the Eagles have had playoff berths in 12 of his previous 19 years, won seven NFC East titles, appeared in five NFC conference finals and reached the Super Bowl in the 2004-05 season.
Winning that first Super Bowl is the highest priority for Lurie.
"I'm obsessed with it," Lurie said. "I think if you love the sport as much as I do and you love this team and this city as much as I do, that's the ultimate goal. So until that happens, it's a hunger. And even if it does happen, it'll be a hunger because you don't want to just be satisfied to have it once. So it's my obsession and we'll try hard to make it happen."
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