Gameday. Preseason. Week 4.
Yep, it’s here. The big one. Tim Tebow vs. Matt Barkley.
Let’s get it on …
In what has been the most overblown non-story ever since Chip Kelly, Overseer of All Things Midnight Green, b rought this underlying sideshow into the fold months ago, Tebow has won over fans, won over detractors, won over coaches, won over teammates.
The one thing he hasn’t won over … is the third-string quarterback position with the Eagles.
Yet.
Unless, of course, Kelly already has settled on using that card despite throwing it back in the dump pile, knowing that no one else will pick it up.
So, tonight, with the Birds putting the finishing touches on the 2015 exhibition campaign against the Jets, all eyes will be focused on what happens between Tebow and Barkley, one of whom was targeted for NFL greatness while he was in college. The other one? He took home the Heisman.
Funny thing is, even in the shadow of a new view on the subject of Tebowmania, the REAL story behind this, as well as everything else that Kelly does is that the guy running the show there is so unlike those who have come before him. Not just here in Philly, but everywhere. Not just in football, but sports in general.
If nothing else, coaches, GMs and front offices are symbols of a society mostly afraid of change. They are creatures of habits born eons ago. When the wheels of doing things differently do start to turn, typically they are met with obstinate, albeit panic-driven, obstacles of criticism and denial.
But Kelly, the football gods bless his soul, is a breath of fresh air in that regard. He not only embraces change, he pushes for it. In shooting for the stars, he takes chances.
Now, I may not agree with some, or most, of the ones he takes, especially if they promote such silliness as the concern over Tebow and two-pointers, but I cannot knock the guy for bucking the staid system and trying to do things his own way.
I wasn’t a fan of his biggest move thus far, either. Sorry, DeSean and LeSean fans, but moving Nick Foles to St. Louis for Sam Bradford trumps all else … and I’m still not sold – yes, even after the 10-for-10 and the assorted mash-up hype videos.
For starters, the move already has blown up a bit in Kelly’s face because his motive behind it was not to have Bradford directing the Birds’ offense, it was to use him as part of another trade package to net Marcus Mariota. Didn’t happen, and now we have Slingin’ Sammy under center and somehow seen as the Golden QB that the Eagles always wanted.
Ummm … yeah, OK, sure.
Still, Kelly saw limitations with Foles, with how far he could take the team. Kelly readily admitted that his squad was good with Mr. 27 & 2. But he is shooting for great, so, hence, a move was made.
Bradford here being the Plan B option of it doesn’t alter, or lessen, the fact that Kelly has some serious cojones, and isn’t constrained by the one factor that fells so many: fear.
Now, if he would only settle that mind-numbingly crucial decision of who’s his No. 3 QB.
- Jack Kerwin | ydkjack1@gmail.com
Yep, it’s here. The big one. Tim Tebow vs. Matt Barkley.
Let’s get it on …
In what has been the most overblown non-story ever since Chip Kelly, Overseer of All Things Midnight Green, b rought this underlying sideshow into the fold months ago, Tebow has won over fans, won over detractors, won over coaches, won over teammates.
The one thing he hasn’t won over … is the third-string quarterback position with the Eagles.
Yet.
Unless, of course, Kelly already has settled on using that card despite throwing it back in the dump pile, knowing that no one else will pick it up.
So, tonight, with the Birds putting the finishing touches on the 2015 exhibition campaign against the Jets, all eyes will be focused on what happens between Tebow and Barkley, one of whom was targeted for NFL greatness while he was in college. The other one? He took home the Heisman.
Funny thing is, even in the shadow of a new view on the subject of Tebowmania, the REAL story behind this, as well as everything else that Kelly does is that the guy running the show there is so unlike those who have come before him. Not just here in Philly, but everywhere. Not just in football, but sports in general.
If nothing else, coaches, GMs and front offices are symbols of a society mostly afraid of change. They are creatures of habits born eons ago. When the wheels of doing things differently do start to turn, typically they are met with obstinate, albeit panic-driven, obstacles of criticism and denial.
But Kelly, the football gods bless his soul, is a breath of fresh air in that regard. He not only embraces change, he pushes for it. In shooting for the stars, he takes chances.
Now, I may not agree with some, or most, of the ones he takes, especially if they promote such silliness as the concern over Tebow and two-pointers, but I cannot knock the guy for bucking the staid system and trying to do things his own way.
I wasn’t a fan of his biggest move thus far, either. Sorry, DeSean and LeSean fans, but moving Nick Foles to St. Louis for Sam Bradford trumps all else … and I’m still not sold – yes, even after the 10-for-10 and the assorted mash-up hype videos.
For starters, the move already has blown up a bit in Kelly’s face because his motive behind it was not to have Bradford directing the Birds’ offense, it was to use him as part of another trade package to net Marcus Mariota. Didn’t happen, and now we have Slingin’ Sammy under center and somehow seen as the Golden QB that the Eagles always wanted.
Ummm … yeah, OK, sure.
Still, Kelly saw limitations with Foles, with how far he could take the team. Kelly readily admitted that his squad was good with Mr. 27 & 2. But he is shooting for great, so, hence, a move was made.
Bradford here being the Plan B option of it doesn’t alter, or lessen, the fact that Kelly has some serious cojones, and isn’t constrained by the one factor that fells so many: fear.
Now, if he would only settle that mind-numbingly crucial decision of who’s his No. 3 QB.
- Jack Kerwin | ydkjack1@gmail.com
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