What’s the Best-case Scenario for the Eagles Going Forward?
by Trevor Newcomb
Four and six.
Six games remaining — two within the division, one against the Patriots.
So the question is, if the Eagles win four of the next six, finish the season 8-8 to win the putrid NFC East, and get bounced in the first-round of the playoffs; is it the best thing that could happen?
Sure, they made the playoffs, but would then be slotted for a pick in the bottom third of 2016’s draft.
Even if the Birds can pull out a few victories and make a playoff appearance, that isn’t the best thing that could happen.
Now, I’m not saying to pull what the 76ers are doing, but realistically, nobody would be too upset if the Eagles lost four of their last six, as long as they get a pick in the top 12.
A 6-10 team would most likely mean the end of the Sam Bradford experiment, thankfully, but what it would mean to the Chip Kelly Era would be the larger question.
Reports have surfaced linking Chip to potential coaching vacancies at the University of Southern California and Louisiana State, which could be a tempting offer. He would make more money, have just as much control, if not more, and already knows that his system and culture have success at that level. But would the stubborn, prideful Kelly be able to leave the NFL game after three years, with a record around .500?
Right away, I feel like Chip really doesn’t care what anyone thinks, so the only person that has to be okay with quitting is the coach himself.
Honestly, I think Chip has what it takes to be a successful coach in the NFL. He just has to accept that he needs more help.
A 6-10 season may be enough to convince Kelly of that.
He needs to bring in some front office-types who have experience producing winning programs to work alongside him.
Drafting better, along with being smarter in free agency, is where he really needs the most help.
The top two or three selections in April’s draft need to be able to produce in the field more than the top picks over the last two seasons. For those thinking: Marcus Smith, Jordan Matthews, Josh Huff, Nelson Agholor, Eric Rowe and Jordan Hicks.
Matthews and Hicks have shown they can be successful players, but the other four have barely seen the field.
Embarrassing Chip should be enough to convince the coach that he needs help, and that his system on paper doesn’t translate to wins.
But this is just one man’s opinion, and may not even be the right way to fix the Eagles.
The only thing fans can do is keep hoping.
Hoping, like they have been for what seems like an eternity.
Trevor is a news anchor/jack-of-all-trades for 1490 WBCB. Find him on twitter at @Trevor_Newcomb.
