Kelly: 'Our Goal Is To Win This Thing'
By Ed Benkin
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) --- Last year, a 10-6 record gave the Eagles the NFC East title. This season, a 10-6 record sent them home early.
With no playoffs for the Eagles in the coming weeks, the players cleaned out their lockers on Monday. Many of the players reflected on their missed opportunities during the season which made the difference in the standings. Chip Kelly says the time has come to begin the off-season work to improve his team for 2015, but that he and his staff have plenty of time to formulate their off-season plan.
"Time is on everybody's side here," said Kelly. "We don't have to make any decisions today. We don't have to make any decisions until we get close to free agency in terms of how we want to start to shape the roster for 2015. I think we have a good process in terms of how that works. I don't think there is a reason to be hasty from any decision in that standpoint, so you take a look at anything and everything you can. Our goal is to win this thing and to do that, you have to look at everything, no matter what it is."
One position which is always evaluated is quarterback. Nick Foles was knocked out in the middle of the season with a collarbone injury and some are wondering if he is the long-term solution under center going forward. However, Foles is excited to return next season and isn't worried about anyone challenging him for his job.
"I expect to be back here," Foles said. "I expect to be the quarterback. I love my teammates and I expect to be back out there leading them. Right now, it's the off-season, so I'm excited to come back better than I ever have been."
Kelly does not believe Foles is injury-prone, and pointed out that most NFL quarterbacks go through their share of injuries. Meanwhile, Mark Sanchez talked about how much he enjoyed his year in Philadelphia and will begin discussions with his agents concerning what happens with him in 2015. Sanchez also reflected on the frustration of coming close to a playoff birth without reaching the post-season.
"A couple of throws and we're having a totally different press conference right now," said Sanchez. "That's how fragile things are. That's the margin for error in this league. One block, one tackle, on catch, one throw and this whole thing is different and we're getting ready for another game."
The off-season always brings changes, and the Eagles have their share of free agents. One is Linebacker Brandon Graham, who put together his best season as an Eagle in 2014. While Graham would like to come back to Philadelphia, he is leaving his options open with the hopes of being a starter in 2015.
"That's the common goal," Graham said. "I feel like I deserve to at least get a shot at being a starter. I work hard every day. Just give me a chance to get out there. Once I get that opportunity, and I hope it's here, I'm going to prove that I can definitely get the job done."
The Eagles are hoping the changes for 2015 will put the team on the next level in the NFL. Players such as Malcolm Jenkins believe the Eagles are close to taking the next step in their quest to become a Super Bowl contender, but have to correct the mistakes that were made in 2014.
"We beat ourselves all year," said Jenkins. "If we can keep the ball in front of us on defense and not turn the ball over that much on offense, I think we go from a ten-win team to an elite team."
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