My biggest fear is that he staffs this team with gimmicky players for his gimmicky system - starting with blowing the #4 overall pick on Geno Smith this Spring.

Then, when his system fails, he will walk away or get fired and end up at LSU or a plum NCAA job. Spurrier-style. And we'll be left with a personnel base that is ill suited for the NFL and the new coach who runs a more conventional offense.

And at the end of the day the Eagles will have, instead of a 2-3 year rebuilding project we now face, a 5 year rebuilding project.

And I agree, Foles is gone. So last year was a 100% waste of time.

Rumors are out that Vick has resisted attempts to re-negotiate his deal, so he's gone as of mid-February. No way they pay him $16M for a 1-year deal.

I too hope you eat those words. Right now Chocolate Chip Kelly Green (TM) deserves an opportunity to show what he's made of. As Eagles fans we should all be as positive as we can. Any change is good after the past 2 seasons and especially after this years debacle. Only time will tell. GO BIRDS

Time will tell if this was a correct move by the birds. Some college coachs have made it in the NFL and some have not. Jimmy Johnson, Dick Vermeil , and some others have had success in the NFL. So lets not be so narrow minded folks.

The Team needs time come to together before we can lay Judgement on Kelly and if he will be a burst or not. You Guys in the media are being too hard already on Him. I hope you eat those words in the future about him being a burst already.

Chip O'Hoy folks. Lets see if Kelly can cut it the the NFL. I want to know who the D coordinator is going to be. I think that is key in this hiring of Chip, the offense is going to be fine, but it's the Defense I am concerned about. I know for a fact that if Andy Reid doesn't draft Luke Joeckel then we will get him, if not then we will get Dee Milliner from alabama and then we can move Nnamdi to safety and cut Kurt Coleman.

Geez ... Who says Eagles fans are short on patience?!?

I have my doubts about Chip Kelly being successful in the NFL, just like I would have had my doubts about Gus Bradley or Mike McCoy or whomever. That is, until they were able to prove they were up - or not - to the job.

At least I'll give Lurie and Roseman credit for thinking "outside the box" somewhat. They did not hire a retread (Wizenhunt) or a re-retread (Turner). And let's not forget how many of us asked "Who?!?" when Lurie and Banner plucked Andy Reid, an almost nobody - NFL head-coaching wise, out of the QB coach job at Green Bay.

I have my doubts, but I'm willing to see what develops. To suggest this is ALREADY a disaster or a 5-year franchise debacle is just a tad premature, don't ya think?!?

If he succeeds I will be the first one on the bandwagon. What I want more than anything else is for the Birds to have an identity again, they haven't had that since JJ passed away.

Part of me wanted the strong identity on defense that Gus Bradley would have brought.

But yeah, he's a way better choice than Wisenhunt or Billick.

This seems like a great hire. NOW let's get the best coordinators available and get rid of most of those we have. DEFENSE, DEFENSE, DEFENSE!!! And PLEASE don't keep Vick unless he does a MAJOR restructuring of his contract. We need to draft BIG maulers that are quick on both lines. two new safeties and/or quality corners who can tackle. Sign Byrd and any linemen that fit the above and we are SET. Cut out the dead wood and those who are overpaid. MOVING FORWARD, BABY!!!

I like him. I think he will be a refreshing change. I always enjoy your articles Mike, but I disagree with you on this one. I disagree on Andy as well. Andy was a success because he was surrounded by talented coordinators. On his own, he is a bust. He is the only coach that I know of that called time outs when he didn't have any....twice. Clock managment was non existent and play calling was unimaginative. kelly on the other hand has assembled successful team, albeit on the college level, but he is recruiting for Oregon. Lets see, do I want to go to Miami, USC or Oregon? Tell me that isn't a tough sell. I think we may all be pleasantly surprised, but caution that his pick as D coordinator will be key to success.

Two things, first great piece, second after reading it I concur per 'craving a return to physical football,' too and a s much as we all understand that hiring a defensive guy to be HC seems to long be out of vogue. I obiviously was wrong when I spoke of the potential hire of Chip whatever amount of pieces ago, but the simple fact is the utter rarity of a college coach getting a head job and much less succeeding in the NFL, without ever being previously employed by the league in any capacity, ever. That club has only one member and it is Jimmy Johnson and not ours. Then I remember the 3 person hiring team of Jeffery, Howie and Don all hadn't one bit of NFL experience either before the joined the Eagles. Maybe I should have thought outside of the box, cause yes Mike I agree this goes against all logic. I somehow hope I am wrong, and I won't put a percentage on it, but I too fear the worse. That said if its bad let's hope its quick and not long and drawn out like Lurie put us through with Reid. I just saw the press conference and post-conf interview with Lurie and he gushed about how much he love Chip. Heath Evans wrote a great piece on NFL.com where he ripped this hire. http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap1000000122162/article/philadelphia-eagles-hire-of-chip-kelly-could-be-nfls-worst-ever

I was against hiring Chip Kelly from the moment he was mentioned as a possibility once it became obvious that Andy Reid was going to be fired. I was happy when we were told almost two weeks ago that he was staying at Oregon. I was so angry yesterday when I heard the news he'd been hired that I started asking if it wasn't possible to bring Norman Braman back as owner (sarcastically, obviously). BUT, after talking with some people about the hire, I'm willing to give the guy a shot. If Belichick picks his brain, he can't be all bad. Plus, he actually ran the ball a lot (65 percent) at Oregon, and that's something most of us were begging for over the past decade plus. I understand a lot of those runs were the QB on read options, but, hey, it tells me he might run it 55 percent of the time at the NFL level. It is imperative he get an experienced NFL defensive coordinator in here. Not liking the rumors of him pursuing the Georgia D coordinator.

Bo, I read what Heath Evans wrote before. I agree with some of what he said, but he's not a guy I look to for sage analysis. I don't expect a team owner to have football acumen. Outside of Jerry Jones, Al Davis and a few others, most don't and their meddling has had a really negative impact on their teams. But usually the GM is a football guy- not so with the Eagles. That's worrisome.

I was done with Mike McCoy as soon as Peyton took a knee with 30 seconds left and 2 TO's. That was as bad as anything Reid did in 14 years here.

Other than the Monte Reagor signing, which I will never ever let fade into memory.

I like Peyton as much as the next guy, but he chokes over and over and over. Really weird how great he is in the regular season and how many huge mistakes he makes in the postseason.

How much money was Chip given? How much more did the Eagles have to pay to get him after he said no thanks. I haven't read the amount lately. I'm really curious to see how much they threw at him
And does anyone remember Steve Spurrier. Same hype when he came to the NFL!

I could be wrong, but Phil Knight directly paying Chip Kelly? That would really surprise me. It's all retarded money, but Kelly was coach at New Hampshire as of 5 years ago so thinking the money is still a major deal with him.

Porter, I think you dipped in to the Jamison a little early my friend. I don't think any chance it'll be quite like that. The prospect of Curry and Graham at OLB is very intriguing.

I was not in favor of the hiring of Chip but from his press conference it does sound as if he is willing to adapt his philosophy to fit the current talent on the roster and not the other way around like his predecessor. Ahem... but we're not gonna get into all that right now. Chip does love to run the football and we are top-heavy on talent at that position which could be exciting. The defense needs a complete overhaul and a 3-4 will be a welcomed breath of fresh air. The key to success in today's NFL is versatility. This applies not only to personnel but to coaching and more importantly game-planning. Teams that succeed have a multitude of ways to attack their opponents making them unpredictable and difficult to prepare for. Stay versatile Chip and welcome to HELL.

The puck drops tomorrow guys .....Who writting about the Fly Boys ....ANYONE

After I watched Chip Kelly's press conference, I gotta say I've changed my tune a bit and feel a little better. Heck it's easy to sense and hear that he's quite personable and real, there's no facade it seems. Andy sent him a text message before that press conference and told him to be himself and I believe that's what we got. I learned yesterday he was a bachelor, wherein it kinda sounds like he wants to sleep in his office cause all he does is breath, eat and sleep football, what birds fan wouldn't like that or wanna give him a chance. As a coach I know this to be true for many young people, and I believe it also, and something Chip elaborated on in that press conference. They have a understandable desire to often be explained the 'why' of whatever you ask of them, in practice and or games. I've heard this statement from many a well known college or professional coach, in whatever TV interview, when explaining some of the differences between today's athletes and those in the recent or distant past.

All you guys who say the press conference changed you, you sound just like the 18 year old kids he recruits to Oregon and sells himself to the kids family to get the kid to sign. All the top college football programs are part coaching and huge part recruiting. I'd say you need to be more of a salesman than a coach in the top programs. Chip just closed the deal on you.

Mike, I am not sure how to say this ...But you are a moron. You would rather have Gus Bradley???? I am not saying that Chip will necessarilly turn out better, but what credentials does Gus Bradely have as an NFL coach? Oh yeah, he yells at players on the sideline. Good credentials. Oh yeah he had that vaunted seahawk defense that simply let matt ryan and the atlanta offense move down the field in 19 seconds to with the playoff game against them. That is the guy I want coaching my team...NOT! Chip Kelly has gone 46-7 in the past 4 seasons, won with 3 different qb's, has run the ball 60% of the time in college and has won in a program that generally does not have the top recruits. The Eagles will be a fun team to watch and in my opinion, the Eagles got the best coach available. Kudos to the birds for trying to make the team better. Tell me Mike, how many oregon games did you watch in the past 2 years? Can you name any oregon players without looking them up on the internet?? Point is, you have no idea how good a coach this guy is.

Gentlemen, no one here, including myself, who stated that they changed their mind after hearing that press conference said anything about how good or bad a hire he'll eventually turn out to be. I still have my reservations, but I know what I thought after seeing that press conference yesterday, his first in-front of the Philly press and fans, was a guy without any pro experience, who didn't shrink at that moment in the least, but actually rose to occasion. I think our press corp and fans are a tougher sell than whatever potential Oregon recruit you speak of. The funny fact is Kelly was well known for never getting nor seeking four and five star recruits. He is well known for maximizing the skills and talents of the lesser 1, 2 & 3 star recruits, four consecutive BCS bowl games. I think that truth speaks volumes of a coach that would rather take the challenge of coaching the lesser recruit. That's how the best coaches prove to themselves and others how good they really are. I wonder how good a coach Nick Saban would be if he didn't have a top 5 recruiting class each and every year and had to coach one of Kelly's duck teams. Chip again proved he was up for the challenge in the way he came off in the press conference, and once I did some reading I concluded that yesterday wasn't the only challenge he accepted and succeeded at with flying colors. Now will he succeed here, only time will tell. http://www.phillymag.com/eagles/2013/01/16/getting-to-know-chip-kelly/

They were looking at bilick, mike Nolan and ken wisenhunt....I am glad they hired Kelly.

And Bo, the game is changing.,,while your point about college coaches not panning out over history is correct. However, 2 recent examples (harbaugh and Carroll) have worked out just fine

anayway you look at it. MV has to go but Chip had a converse with him yesterday and it went well, he also said that the dogman would fit well....But he said he knows Nick and loves the way he plays. Dogman has to go, is Lurie and his crew that screwed up.....things have to be tried out....maybe that will be the 10% his guy talks about.... good luck with more waiting to find out, to me that's all BS...

Pat Shurmer named OC.

Dynasty!

They both implemented a college style approach and it is working. That is my point. How do you know Bradley's success was not as a result of Carrol? He is defensive minded head coach. It is easy to look at the potential downside aspects to Kelly's hire. That is what the average blog writer does. (Ok, I may be giving you too much credit). The fact of the matter is there is a lot to like about this hire and I for one is optimistic about the change. We can't be any worse than we have been the past 2 years.

Sorry should have said am optimistic...typo!

One college coach with no nfl coaching experience is in the Super Bowl. Imagine that

You can make a case for negativity no matter who the birds hired. I personally would like to give the guy a chance before I determine he is the "wrong fit." Let him coach at least a couple games before making that statement. Your point was that Kelly has no nfl coaching experience. Well Jim did not either and John was a ST coach. Both were unconventional hires. Much like Chip.

And I am happy they did not hire the other options. The only guy I would say I might have considered more was Bradley. But he is no lock to be great either.

Agreed that Bradley is the only other candidate I really liked and no there are no locks until they've done it.

When Jim Harabagh asks which 9ers player, and however he'll ask or demand these players to do whatever in practice and or games there is an all important built in level of respect because he's successfully played the game at NFL level, and all his players know that. This is simply the culture of the sport, this league, where grown men get paid great money to play a very physically demanding sport. This isn't college football, where the threshold for pain and pushing your physical limits has lower expectations. Chip will never have that so in a sense he has to be that much better a communicator and an Xs and Os guy, cause he could much more quickly be shut out by whatever players, using whatever tactics he uses to motivate and teach. Jim Harbaugh, DID have HC experience before leading Stanford to 1 maybe 2 BCS games. Least we forget that however good Jim Harbaugh was, and though he might not have been the best HC in his first go-around, Mike Singletary played an important part in shaping, disciplining and molding that team to then arrive at what appears to be a bit more of a players coach in Jim Harbaugh. There's the converse a guy who was so good, better than Jim, that his personal expectations of what success is and how to achieve it, will never coincide with his players. Once Mike finds that balance he'll come back a better HC or DC.