2013 Eagles Before the Draft

A lot has happened since the Eagles announced their new coaching staff several months ago. The most important is that we have gotten to know Chip Kelly a little better through press conferences and the all-important first minicamp- his first official interaction with the Eagles players.

While allowing that anything that happens before the draft is not of paramount importance on the NFL calendar, skeptical Eagles fans may have reason to rest a little easier as they become more familiar with Kelly.

The hope of fans is that despite his lack of experience, Kelly is an offensive genius who can adapt his system to the NFL. Kelly has displayed that he is a big thinker. He seems arrogant in enough (a compliment in this context) to believe he can impose his will on the NFL, making it adapt to his offense, more than vice versa.

Kelly’s propensity for “thinking big” accounts for his nickname, "Big Balls Chip." He speaks in rapid-fire spurts, his mouth barely able to keep up with his thoughts. Again, this does not prove anything, except that he is a brilliant offensive mind, which we already knew.

The players' first exposure to Kelly’s rigorous practice routine left them gasping for air.

TE Brent Celek proclaimed Kelly’s offense would change the NFL.

Lesean McCoy struggled to find words to express just how fast this offense moves. He noted how it would be impossible for one back to shoulder the load in this offense and that there would be so many carries to go around, the Eagles would have to use two or even three running backs; music to Eagles fans’ ears.

Of course, all their gushing was after practicing against themselves. But the more important thing is that the Eagles players were impressed with Kelly. The coach’s ability to command the room and convince his players that he is the real deal, despite his lack of NFL experience, is the most impactful thing that was going to happen at minicamp. Early returns are positive.

There was one other important happening for the Eagles before the draft: the hiring of Tom Gamble as VP of Player Personnel on February 13. Gamble comes from a winning organization in the SF 49ers and has local ties as a 1981 graduate of Haddonfield Memorial High School. His father, Harry Gamble, was Director of Player Personnel for the Eagles during the Norman Braman regime.

This is very promising hire as Gamble is an experienced lifelong “football guy.” The Eagles need a guy like Gamble to offset the relative inexperience of Howie Roseman and of course, Chip Kelly. Gamble's importance should not be overlooked. He is the one cog in the front-office machine who grew up in a football environment and has been successful with another NFL organization.

Gamble has spent the last eight years with the 49ers and played an important role in turning them from a doormat to a Superbowl participant. His desire to return to his hometown allowed the Eagles to acquire a guy who otherwise would not have been available to them. He is well-respected throughout the league, and he will play an important role in building the roster going forward.  

The draft and the performance of the free agents they sign will go a long way towards determining how the Eagles fare this year. There will be bumps along the way, as Kelly acclimates himself to the NFL. However, the more we become familiar with Kelly, the more it seems like the bumps just may occur on a very exciting ride.

Check back next week for a review of the Eagles' revamped roster, including free-agency signings and the players selected in the 2012 NFL Draft.