November 18, 2015
Michael Perez/AP
"You run into the flat, and I'll peg you in the back with the football. On 2, on 2... break!"
This offseason, the Eagles' offense went through a significant overhaul when Chip Kelly tried to replace two starting guards on their offensive line, traded for a new quarterback, replaced their running back, and drafted a new starter at wide receiver. Unquestionably, in my opinion, their struggles this season can at least partially be attributed to a lack of continuity. This is something we covered a month ago, although then we pointed out that the defense was reaping the rewards of players who have been in the system for the third year.
"It’s improved personnel," Chip Kelly said to reporters Tuesday, "but I also think there’s a comfort level with the players in the system. Brandon’s here for three years, Connor’s here for three years. That front seven, with the exception of Jordan Hicks, has been here for a while. And the fact that you have a player like Malcolm that’s kind of held the back end together, and now Walt, Nolan and Max and Bigs and Chris have all started to form a group back there in the secondary has really helped, but I think that's what's to Billy’s benefit is that continuity that we have up front, because you’ve had the same D line and both of those outside linebackers have played a ton of snaps for us. And really the only addition at inside linebacker is Jordan Hicks, who again, has really exceeded some people’s expectations, not ours, but in terms of what he could handle as a rookie, kinda got thrust into the role because of injuries."
Oddly, Kelly doesn't seem to want to acknowledge that his offense is struggling because they have a significant lack of continuity.
"We actually only made four changes on offense. I think that gets a little bit overblown in terms of wholesale changes," Kelly said on a conference call with Tampa media. "We made the same amount of changes I think on defense as we did on offense." (H/t Greg Auman of the Tampa Bay Times for passing along the quote).
Overblown? If anything, it's been underblown. If you look at the opening 53-man roster a year ago and compare it with the 2015 version, by my count the Eagles have five new starters on offense, five new reserves, and an additional two reserves already with the team who have elevated roles. My highly scientific color-coded chart below:
• Red = New starter
• Purple = Reserve who is new to the team
• Blue = Player was an Eagle last year, but has elevated role
| Position | 2014 | 2015 |
| Starting QB | Nick Foles | Sam Bradford |
| Backup QB | Mark Sanchez | Mark Sanchez |
| #3 QB | Matt Barkley | Nobody |
| Running back | LeSean McCoy | DeMarco Murray |
| Running back "#2" | Chris Polk | Ryan Mathews |
| Running back "weapon" | Darren Sproles | Darren Sproles |
| 4th RB | Nobody | Kenjon Barner |
| Outside Receiver | Jeremy Maclin | Nelson Agholor |
| Outside Receiver | Riley Cooper | Riley Cooper |
| Slot Receiver | Jordan Matthews | Jordan Matthews |
| Backup Receiver | Josh Huff | Josh Huff |
| Backup Receiver | Jeff Maehl | Miles Austin |
| WR / Specialist | Brad Smith | Seyi Ajirotutu |
| Tight end | Brent Celek | Brent Celek |
| Tight end | Zach Ertz | Zach Ertz |
| Tight end / Specialist | Trey Burton | Trey Burton |
| Tight end / specialist | James Casey | Nobody |
| Starting LT | Jason Peters | Jason Peters |
| Starting LG | Evan Mathis | Allen Barbre |
| Starting C | Jason Kelce | Jason Kelce |
| Starting RG | Todd Herremans | Andrew Gardner |
| Starting RT | Lane Johnson | Lane Johnson |
| First OL in | Allen Barbre | Matt Tobin |
| Second OL in | Matt Tobin | Dennis Kelly |
| Third OL in | Andrew Gardner | Josh Andrews |
| Fourth OL in | Dennis Kelly | Nobody |
| Backup C | David Molk | David Molk |
Speaking to Philly reporters today, Kelly kinda-sorta acknowledged that changes on offense may be having an effect on the play on the field, but still managed to downplay it.
"I think anytime you put a new group together it takes a while to get going, but I think that's no different than our first year year here," said Kelly. "We had 11 new starters, so I think it's our responsibility for the coaching staff to put the guys in position to make plays.
"I think there are individual mistakes that are being made and we need to correct them as coaches."
The offense has little continuity, and it isn't playing well. The defense has a lot of continuity and is. I don't think that's a coincidence.
Follow Jimmy on Twitter: @JimmyKempski
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