Porter: Chip Kelly Deserves Credit, Not Blame, For 5-2 Start
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) --- The majority of Eagles fans are giving Chip Kelly a "B" so far this season, after seven games.
On one hand the Eagles are 5-2. Their two losses came by a combined two yards. Their offense ranks top five in the NFL in both yards and points per game, despite a decimated offensive line, bad quarterback play, and under-performing running back, and only one real receiving threat.
On the other hand, the Eagles are dead last in red zone touchdown efficiency. The play-calling has been questionable, pass-heavy at times, and in-game coaching decisions maybe have cost the Birds two games. The defense and special teams has stepped up, while the offense has been inconsistent.
All of this is true and a "B" grade for Kelly is certainly fair, however anything in the "C" category or below is ridiculous.
Wednesday on the 94WIP Mike & Ike Show, 59% of fans gave Kelly a "B", while 26% gave him a "C", and only 9% gave him an "A".
I would give Kelly an "A". You can listen to me "sip the Chip kool-aid" with Michael Barkanna and Ike Reese on 94WIP here.
I know what you're going to say, so I'll just go ahead and answer your anti-Chip comments.
1. The Eagles should be 7-0
To say the Eagles "should be 7-0" is absolutely insane. It's the NFL. No team is 7-0. It's incredibly difficult to win week after week in that league and 5-2 is quite impressive, especially when you factor in all the injuries Kelly has had to deal with on the offensive line.
His late-game run play calls in the two losses were wrong, but that's not why they lost those games.
2. The Eagles' league worst 34.78% touchdown conversion in the red zone is on the coach.
Partially, fine. But how can you not put some blame on bad quarterback play (especially in the red zone), an injured offensive line that has been faulty running the ball, and a lack of play-making ability from every wide out not-named Jeremy Maclin.
How about Josh Huff doesn't fumble the fall on the ten yard line? How about Nick Foles doesn't throw a red zone interception? How 'bout that?
3. The play-calling has been suspect
Has it?
The Eagles are fourth in the NFL averaging 29.0 points per game and fifth in the NFL averaging 398.7 yards per game, despite their quarterback throwing nine interceptions in seven games (tied for third most in NFL) and fumbling three times, while completing 59.2% of his passes (28th in NFL).
4. What about against Arizona? 62 pass attempts!? Come on Chip, run the ball!
First off, 12 of those passes came on the final drive of the game, a drive that should have NEVER happened (looking at you, Nate Allen). Also, again, if Huff doesn't fumble in the red zone and Foles doesn't throw a pick in the end zone, Eagles go up 21-7 early and the entire game flow changes drastically.
As for LeSean McCoy, he has 137 carries in seven games, fourth most in ALL of football behind DeMarco Murray (206), Arian Foster (146), and Le'Veon Bell (141)...all of whom have played one more game than McCoy. Both Chris Polk and Darren Sproles have missed games this season due to injury, not to mention, a lot of the "pass" calls are actually QB options, that Foles is electing to throw because the defense is in the box daring Foles to beat them.
Foles is correctly reading the play, but has been unable to convert on many of those throws.
5. So what's the answer, Mr. Chip Kelly lover?
The answer is, things get better when two Pro Bowl caliber offensive lineman get back, in Evan Mathis and Jason Kelce. McCoy has a huge second half, which opens up the pass, and Foles has more time and more wide open receivers to throw to, circa last year.
Look, like Eagles are 5-2 despite fighting injuries and bad quarterback play. They have nice wins at Indy and a shutout vs. the Giants. An average coach, in my opinion, is 3-4 with or 2-5 with this team.
6. Marcus Smith has been a pretty good pick, huh?
Nope, but we're not sure who is completely responsible for every draft pick and personnel move. This past draft was not good by any means. The Marcus Smith pick looks atrocious and while Jordan Matthews is having a solid rookie year, it's tough not to think about Kelvin Benjamin lined up opposite Maclin.
But how about the free agency moves? Darren Sproles, Malcolm Jenkins, Chris Maragos, and Cody Parkey. Those worked out pretty well, right?
Kill him if you want, for "costing the Eagles" those two games, but I won't do it. I refuse to do it. Chip Kelly creates the game plan and calls the plays. He can't execute the throws, the runs, and not turn the ball over. That's on the players.
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