Former Eagles DeSean Jackson and LeSean McCoy began up a podcast this offseason, “The 25/10 Present,” and their most up-to-date episode touched a subject that followers have been ready years to listen to about: Chip Kelly and his time in Philly.
The short-lived Eagles head coach ruffled quite a lot of feathers throughout his time in Philly, and regardless of doing a little issues offensively that had been thrilling, Kelly misplaced the locker room and didn’t evolve from teaching faculty college students to grown males.
Time can do rather a lot to heal, however it was apparent from the beginning that being 11 years faraway from the scenario has carried out nothing to quell DeSean Jackson’s anger. The WR has clearly been biding his time to speak about this subject — having touched on it briefly over time — and together with LeSean McCoy, they lastly acquired to talk their truths.
The episode opens with Jackson complaining about how Kelly handled the Eagles Professional Bowl and All-Professional gamers. He didn’t like that the top coach had so many guidelines and needed to trace every part from their hydration ranges to their sleep habits. McCoy even recalled Kelly telling them they couldn’t put on black socks. What actually irritated each Jackson and McCoy was Kelly stating there have been no set starters, and they’d rotate guys who had been getting starter reps — they felt like this was disrespectful to the caliber of men they’d on the roster.
Nonetheless, regardless of his lengthy record of guidelines, the duo stated that Kelly wasn’t actually a disciplinarian. The top coach would ship messages to the gamers by way of his assistants and their place coaches, however wouldn’t say something to them straight. The top coach wasn’t shy to be vocal to rookies, however when it got here to veteran gamers, he tried to micromanage them from a distance.
This level led to the primary theme of the entire present: McCoy claimed Kelly appeared, at the least, uncomfortable round Black gamers.
The top coach additionally tried to repress cultural expression within the locker room, fairly than embrace it. Gamers weren’t allowed to take heed to music with out headphones, they weren’t allowed to drive their very own vehicles to video games, and couldn’t take heed to music at observe that had cuss phrases in it.
[The juxtaposition here of Doug Pederson just a few years later forcing the league to find a way to play “Dreams and Nightmares” as the Eagles took the field for the Super Bowl, is eye-opening.]
Jackson and McCoy additionally talked in regards to the Riley Cooper incident. They defined that Cooper got here in and apologized at observe the subsequent day after video confirmed him utilizing a racial slur at a live performance. McCoy admitted that he and Cooper had a fantastic relationship, so he knew the WR wasn’t racist, however he was nonetheless hoping to get an opportunity to speak to him in regards to the feedback — one thing Kelly squashed repeatedly, from McCoy, Jason Peters, and anybody else attempting to method him about it.
Kelly’s method to race within the locker room was additionally highlighted when he stored bringing in and beginning gamers from Oregon. They simply occurred to be white, however due to their connection to Kelly and understanding his system, they noticed the sphere over extra proficient guys from Alabama, and different colleges.
All of this got here to go for Jackson and McCoy who completed the episode speaking about their exit from Philly. McCoy was succinct, saying that he felt like Kelly traded him to the Payments to die. Listening to that the Eagles traded him to Buffalo in trade for Kiko Alonso was stunning, noting Rex Ryan stated on the time it was the quickest commerce he’s ever skilled — when the Eagles stated they solely needed Alonso in return for the deal, he instantly accepted and hung up the cellphone.
Jackson then took his flip to speak about being launched by the staff. It began with the article highlighting a photograph the WR took together with his childhood greatest good friend after he was launched from jail. Jackson admitted that understanding what he does now, he would have by no means posted the image, however on the time, it changed into a dialogue about gang ties and private connections. He was capable of finding one other touchdown spot, however claimed that the assault on his character impacted his earnings, each instantly and sooner or later.
Jackson clearly feels that the Eagles used the article as a scapegoat to launch the receiver — this not lengthy after he skipped his exit interview with Kelly and left city. Kelly would’ve possible used any excuse he may to justify eliminating the Professional Bowler, however the truth that the article was written in any respect, with none background, is one thing else that’s stayed with Jackson over these final 11 years.
There’s a complete lot to remove from this episode, however one of many issues that stood out was simply how a lot anger these two nonetheless have towards Chip Kelly over a decade later.
Different notables
Michael Vick as soon as advised McCoy that he did extra crying with Chip Kelly in Philly than he did in jail.
Jason Peters on Kelly: “A bullshit-ass man, man, that don’t know tips on how to take care of star gamers. That’s his MO.”
Jackson stated that after their playoff loss to the Saints, he was pissed off that he didn’t get the ball extra, when guys like Riley Cooper had been getting extra targets (8 to Jackson’s 6). He famous that he ended up skipping exit interviews. When Kelly known as to see the place he was, the WR principally advised him off, and that was the final time he’d ever discuss to the coach.
