The Philadelphia Eagles have made some bold moves during the NFL off season. By not resigning some big name free agents on their team, it has many fans wondering if GM/Coach Chip Kelly knows what he is doing.
Frustrated Eagles fans feel like the letting go of LeSean McCoy (RB), Trent Cole (DE) and Jeremy Maclin (WR) to free agency are the wrong moves.
Their beloved team is being ripped apart by the seams and there is no end the devastation.
Stephen A. Smith on the ESPN First Take show not only questioned the football moves of Kelly, but suggested there might be racial overtones to his decisions. All the big name players on the team were black and they were let go, but some white players are resigned.
Here are Smith’s words:
SMITH: Can I say it? It’s gonna be controversial. Chip Kelly makes decisions over the last couple of years that, dare I say, leave a few brothers feeling uncomfortable. We’re sitting there looking at some of the decisions Chip Kelly makes and I’m like, what is up with that? You got to be his kind of guy, you know, and I’m like, Cooper is your kind of guy?
Skip interjected.
SKIP BAYLESS: He’s creating a system of culture that he wants it to be on his terms.
SMITH: Let’s get beyond the system. The operative word is “culture.” The culture is what resonates with me more profoundly because I’m loking at Chip Kelly and, I’m like, really?
You got to remember, Skip, where did I work for 16 years? This is Philadelphia. You know what I’m saying? I’m always in Philly. I’m telling you right now, you got people walking the streets — hell with it — you got brothers walking the streets going like this: “What’s up with Chip?” I don’t understand it. I really don’t understand. I’m not saying I know but I’m just going to say it does strike me as a tad bit odd. I’m going to repeat this. Gone: Lesean McCoy, Jeremy Maclin, you know, DeSean Jackson. Staying: Cooper. Really? Really?
Smith worked in Philadelphia and covered the team for 16 years. He has insight into the ownership and history of the team, but is he right here?
Personally, I don’t think he is right in this case. These look like football moves to me of a GM that doesn’t want to overpay for a RB in a league that doesn’t value the position. By bringing Frank Gore, the Eagles will save some $9 million dollars against the salary cap. That is a lot of money to be able to plug other holes in the team.
With that said, I will concede I don’t know the entire history of this organization or the last few years under Chip Kelly.
SOUND OFF: Do you think race plays a factor the decision not to resign these black players?
Source: Mediate.com
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