Chip Kelly talks Marcus Mariota, Mychal Kendricks, Allen Barbre, Josh Huff, and much more

Eagles head coach Chip Kelly followed Jeffrey Lurie's Tuesday media session with one of his own on Wednesday. Kelly sat and answered questions for over an hour, so as you can imagine he had a lot to say. Here are just some of the highlights. Much more coverage to come later.

Marcus Mariota trade possibility

Coach Kelly: Philosophically, I want to keep all our draft picks. You build your team through the draft. pic.twitter.com/mwUjpkULwc

— Philadelphia Eagles (@Eagles) March 25, 2015

Chip says 2 first-round picks won't get him from 20 to 6. #Mariota #Eagles

— Eliot Shorr-Parks (@EliotShorrParks) March 25, 2015

Chip on draft: "you don't mortgage your future by giving up draft for Ricky Williams." #Eagles

— Martin Frank (@Mfranknfl) March 25, 2015

Chip says Marcus Mariota talk is what makes sports talk great. #Eagles

— Eliot Shorr-Parks (@EliotShorrParks) March 25, 2015

Chip notes that Andrew Luck played for Jim Harbaugh but no one expected 49ers to trade up for Luck, and they didn’t.

— Les Bowen (@LesBowen) March 25, 2015

Kelly said philosophically: "More players are better than one player." That's why he's against a drastic move up in draft.

— Eagles Insider (@EaglesInsider) March 25, 2015

Chip was asked if there are exceptions to his philosophy of not trading up in the draft. He cited Columbus disproving that world was flat.

— Martin Frank (@Mfranknfl) March 25, 2015

Nick Foles / Sam Bradford

Kelly said that the #Eagles did not want to give up Nick Foles. Would have liked both Bradford and Foles on roster.

— Eagles Insider (@EaglesInsider) March 25, 2015

Brandon Boykin to outside cornerback?

Kelly said that #Eagles are open to Brandon Boykin moving outside. "Whoever is the best out of that group will play corner for us."

— Eagles Insider (@EaglesInsider) March 25, 2015

Evan Mathis trade situation

Kelly when asked if Evan Mathis will be on team next year: I hope so.

— Eagles Insider (@EaglesInsider) March 25, 2015

Chip said he isn't actively shopping Evan Mathis but Mathis has been given permission to seek trade.

— Geoff Mosher (@GeoffMosherCSN) March 25, 2015

Allen Barbre to start?

Chip: really excited about Allen Barbre at right guard

— Les Bowen (@LesBowen) March 25, 2015

Jaylen Watkins to safety?

Chip says Jaylen Watkins will have an opportunity at safety.

— Brandon Lee Gowton (@BrandonGowton) March 25, 2015

Kelly said Jaylen Watkins will have an opportunity at the safety spot. Lots of time, lots of reps to sort out. Nolan Caroll stays at CB

— Eagles Insider (@EaglesInsider) March 25, 2015

Byron Maxwell vs. Jeremy Maclin

Chip says difference in $ paid to O was out of balance compared to D so that's why he went big on Maxwell & didn't budge on Maclin #Eagles

— Ed Kracz (@kracze) March 25, 2015

Darren Sproles usage

Chip said expects to be more creative with Sproles this season. Talked to him after signed Murray, Mathews. #Eagles

— Martin Frank (@Mfranknfl) March 25, 2015

Chip said he envisions being more creative with Darren Sproles next year. Last year, had to limit his role because at times Sproles was RB2.

— Geoff Mosher (@GeoffMosherCSN) March 25, 2015

Importance of scheme

Kelly: It's not the system. It's about the players. ... Said the NFL is personnel-driven.

— Eagles Insider (@EaglesInsider) March 25, 2015

Tra Thomas comments about race

"I don't look at the color of any player I look at how they fit on our team" Chip said re Tra Thomas' racism insinuation #Eagles

— Ed Kracz (@kracze) March 25, 2015

Chip Kelly said he was disappointed by statements Tra Thomas made about the number of African American assistants on his coaching staff.

— Jeff McLane (@Jeff_McLane) March 25, 2015

Chip says he hasn’t seen Tra Thomas’ comments re perceptions of race in locker room, was disappointed to hear of them, hopes Tra finds job.

— Les Bowen (@LesBowen) March 25, 2015

Mychal Kendricks

Chip says he doesn't know how Kiko, Kendricks and DeMeco will play together. Says he hasn't thought about it. #Eagles

— Eliot Shorr-Parks (@EliotShorrParks) March 25, 2015

Chip: We were a different team when Mychal Kendricks wasn't out on the field. #Eagles

— Matt Lombardo (@MattLombardo975) March 25, 2015

Kelly said ILB depth was something team was trying to accomplish. Cited how Ryans and Kendricks missed combined 12 games in 2014.

— Eagles Insider (@EaglesInsider) March 25, 2015

Zach Ertz breakout

Chip Kelly on TE Zach Ertz: "I still think there's a big jump that can happen between Year 2 and 3." #Eagles

— Jeff McLane (@Jeff_McLane) March 25, 2015

Jordan Matthews' role moving forward

Chip Kelly said that Jordan Matthews could move to outside WR. Not making any decisions now. #Eagles

— Jeff McLane (@Jeff_McLane) March 25, 2015

Josh Huff

Chip said that he'd like to see Josh Huff be more consistent as he heads into sophomore season. Reiterated that shoulder held him back.

— Jeff McLane (@Jeff_McLane) March 25, 2015

Chip said expects big jump from Josh Huff #Eagles

— Martin Frank (@Mfranknfl) March 25, 2015

Marcus Smith II

Chip says Marcus Smith shows flashes but needs to be more consistent. #Eagles

— Eliot Shorr-Parks (@EliotShorrParks) March 25, 2015

Status of injured players (Sam Bradford, Kiko Alonso)

No word yet on whether Bradford will be ready for OTAs. Kiko Alonso should be able to play in OTAs.

— Zach Berman (@ZBerm) March 25, 2015

Kelly pointed to advances in medical science, particularly with ACL repairs, as reasons for taking chances on injured players.

— Nick Fierro (@NickFierro) March 25, 2015

Deep draft at WR

Kelly: WR is probably deepest position in the #EaglesDraft

— Eagles Insider (@EaglesInsider) March 25, 2015

Odell Beckham Jr.

Kelly said he thought Odell Beckham was the best player in the draft last year.

— Eagles Insider (@EaglesInsider) March 25, 2015

Connor Barwin's restructured contract

Chip Kelly said he reworked Connor Barwin's contract because he felt like he exceeded his original deal.

— Jeff McLane (@Jeff_McLane) March 25, 2015

Bradley Fletcher

Chip asked about Bradley Fletcher: "I love Fletch. The ultimate competitor." #Eagles

— Martin Frank (@Mfranknfl) March 25, 2015