~~To achieve success at the highest level, one must prepare at the highest level. Greatness does not come via luck, but by perseverance and full effort at all stages of one’s rise to excellence. In the NFL, training camp is this first step. New teammates, gameplans, and sometimes coaches can change the flow of this vital procedural time in the league year.
In Philadelphia, Head Coach Chip Kelly enters his second season as skipper with the hope of building on last year’s NFC East title that was followed by an early exit from the playoffs. New faces permeate both the offense and defense, and competition for positions runs ripe on both sides of the ball.
Kelly’s coaching style is unique in that his camps can seem more like a carnival than an NFL practice. With giant flyswatters, personalized milkshakes, musical selections that sound more like a playlist from a strip club near the airport than one for a weight room, and pickles abundant, Kelly has created a personalized system designed to bring the Eagles their first ever Lombardi Trophy.
On the offense, DeSean Jackson’s departure has resulted in questions as to who the number one receiver will be: either the socially-inept Riley Cooper, or the recovering Jeremy Maclin. Second round selection Jordan Matthews will fill the starting slot receiver role, but the platoon of pass catchers behind this trio have yet to find their spots on the roster.
At tight end, many expect Zach Ertz to be ready for a breakout year, while new acquisition Darren Sproles will find his flow in the offense catching the ball out of the backfield and in the slot. Here is a clip from our first glimpse of Kelly’s offense almost a year ago.
Perhaps the league’s best offense in 2013, Nick Foles’s unit has little to alter in their preparations heading into 2014. However the same cannot be said for the team’s defense.
Philadelphia’s 10 wins in 2013 were no product of Billy Davis’ defensive philosophy. The unit allowed 382 points and 6304 yards, ranking them 17th and 29th in those categories. A big reason for this was a lack of pass rush matched by poor safety play. Trent Cole produced only eight sacks in 2013 from the outside linebacker position, his first time playing there, and has only 11 sacks in the last two seasons combined.
Cole previously matched his sack total from the past two seasons in 2011 alone, creating major red flags regarding the 31 year-olds’ place with the team. Furthering the uncertainty about Cole’s role is the advent of 2014 first round defensive end Marcus Smith who’s size and edge speed wowed Kelly at the combine. The battle between these two for snaps with the first team will be a fun one to watch at training camp.
While free agent acquisition Malcom Jenkins is surely a lock to start at free safety, the position opposite him is completely up for grabs. Will it be underperforming veteran Nate Allen, or a sophomore safety who showed flashed of brilliance last season in Earl Wolff? Even Stanford rookie Ed Reynolds will be able to throw his name in the hat here, as the talent level at safety is far from elite in Philadelphia. Viable play from the strong safety position will be vital to the team’s success this year, making this the most important position battle at training camp.
A team with an opportunity for title contention’s road starts when training camp opens on August second. Philadelphia’s road will be a tough one as they drew the NFC West as their scheduled opponents this year. Regardless of who they play, the Eagles’ defense will have to improve on their 2013 performance, or it will be another disappointing winter in the city of brotherly love.