The Linc - Jon Gruden on Chip Kelly's Debut

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NFC Hierarchy/Obituary: Week 0 - Jimmy Kempski, Philly.com
In case you're unfamiliar with my pre-Philly.com travels, I do a "Hierarchy/Obituary" post every week during the season, in which I kill off teams that I think have reached the point where they have almost no chance to make the playoffs. I then write their obituary and never speak of them in the Hierarchy again… well, except in the Redskins’ case last year, when I killed them off at 3-6, and then they rattled off 7 straight wins and won the division. I also rank the teams in terms of the hierarchy of the NFC, from least threatening to the king. The AFC gets completely ignored, because I’m not going to pretend that I know the AFC teams anywhere close to the level that I know the NFC teams.

Kelly and the Roster - Tommy Lawlor, Iggles Blitz
Chip Kelly doesn’t like hypotheticals. He prefers to deal with what he knows. You can see this in the way he built the roster. There is no question that Russell Shepard has more potential than Jeff Maehl. I think even Mama and Papa Maehl would agree with that. But Maehl is the more polished player right now. Maehl caught 178 passes and 24 TDs at Oregon. Shepard caught 58 passes and 5 TDs at LSU. Maehl is a proven WR (at the college level). Shepard is still a project. Think about the preseason. In 4 games, Shepard caught 3 passes for 42 yards. Maehl was here just 2 weeks and was 8-61 in the Jets games.

Ten Eagles Numbers That Matter - Sheil Kapadia, Birds 24/7
30 – Where the Eagles ranked in terms of using two tight-end sets in 2012. Only two teams went with multiple TEs less than the Birds, who did so 20 percent of the time. That’s absolutely going to change in 2013. We just mentioned how Kelly could use those packages in the red zone, but really, it will be much more than that.

Word of Muth: Previewing the Eagles - Ben Muth, Football Outsiders
For the first time in Word of Muth history, a team was chosen solely because of their coach. Chip Kelly’s offense was probably the most-covered topic in the offseason that didn’t involve a former Florida Gator, and I’m buying into the hype. Kelly’s Oregon offenses finished in the top 6 in rushing yards per game every year from 2008 through 2012. In 2007 the Ducks finished ... seventh. I like watching teams that run the ball and do it creatively.

Jon Gruden Previews Chip Kelly's Debut - Dan Klausner, PhiladelphiaEagles.com
"I don't think college football is penetrating the NFL, I think college football is in the NFL, and I think it's here to stay," analyst Jon Gruden said. "I see a lot of high school football. The game of high school football is different. Players are playing it differently, wide open, no huddle, spread systems and that's what's in college football. That's how we're training coaches and players. It's a big part of the National Football League.

ESPN predicts Eagles will fall to Redskins 41-0 - Eliot Shorr-Parks, NJ.com
In their annual NFL preview issue, ESPN- in conjunction with Pro Football Focus- picked the Eagles to lose 41-0 to the Washington Redskins in Week 1. That's right, ESPN thinks that Chip Kelly will be completely shut out in his first game as head coach of the Eagles.

Bill Davis aims to restore Eagles' 'great defense' - Geoff Mosher, CSN Philly
Bill Davis, the Eagles’ fourth defensive coordinator since the start of 2009, is familiar with Johnson’s legacy and with the faded image of defense in this town. During a sitdown interview this summer, Chip Kelly’s hand-picked defensive leader marveled at Johnson’s mastery of exploiting protection schemes and ability to maximize talent.

Michael Vick set to end bankruptcy, paying back $20M - Times Dispatch
Michael Vick has accomplished much since his release from prison four years ago. He is now ready to scratch another goal off his list: He will soon emerge from bankruptcy, having made arrangements to pay back the last of nearly $20 million in debts to dozens of creditors. It is an unusual accomplishment in bankruptcy circles to fully repay debts in a Chapter 11 case, according to legal experts, and Vick’s case was anything but usual.

2013 NFL Preseason Power Rankings - Steve Shoup, Fanspeak
22. Philadelphia Eagles (7-9):
The Eagles are expected to have a new dynamic offense with Chip Kelly at the helm, and a revamped 3-4 defense. While they brought in a number of talented players they figure to be a year away from being a real threat in the division. How Michael Vick adapts to this system will be the key of how far this team can go.

All 32 Quarterbacks As Their Team Name! - David Rappoccio, Kissing Suzy Kolber
This is the best thing.

More from Bleeding Green Nation:

• Former Eagles linebacker Emmanuel Acho clears waivers
• Eagles at Redskins Monday Night Football Kickoff Time Moved Up
• Philadelphia Eagles 2013 Depth Chart: 53 man roster
• The Winner of the 2013 Na Brown Award is...
• Eagles add S Keelan Johnson and OL/DL Isaac Remington to the Practice Squad

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