Philadelphia’s Chip Kelly, the innovation and controversial third-year coach, spoke with the local media today in advance of facing the Falcons at 7:10 p.m. Monday at the Georgia Dome.
Here’s what he had to say:
Q: How has quarterback Sam Bradford fit into your operation in Philadelphia?
A: Sam has done a nice job since we acquired him last spring. Smart football player. He really picked up our system quickly. He had a varied background at St. Louis because he had a couple of different coordinators. The one thing you know about Sam is how quickly he picks things up. He's a sharp football player. He picked it up rather fast.
Q: What was the origin of thinking that the tempo offense would work in the NFL?
A: Probably the Buffalo Bills and the Cincinnati Bengals back in the 90s. (Sam Wyche) did a good job with it. Marv Levy did a good job with it. A lot of people have done it. The Patriots have done a good job with it in the National Football League we are not the only guys.
Q: Where do you rank Julio Jones as far as the top receivers in this league?
A: We think Julio is an elite receiver in this league. Obviously, he presents a lot of problems because of his combination of size and speed. Usually, guys that are 6-2-plus, 220 don't run as fast Julio. He's a tough matchup just from a speed standpoint. But then when you add on that he's 6-3, 220, it's a touch deal. He's got great range. Outstanding hands. A very disciplined route runner. We think he's one of the elite receivers in this league.
Q: How do you all plan to defend him?
A: We better make sure that we have somebody on No. 11. That's our game plan.
Q: How’s the rebuilt secondary coming along?
A: (Byron Maxwell) has done a nice job here since we signed him in April. I'm excited to see him play in a real game.
Q: Are you settled on the nickel back situation?
A: Yes, we are.
Q: How did you decide that Sam (Bradford) could be a guy who could run this offense for you?
A: I watched his tape and studied him while he was in college and in the league. He's a talented quarterback who was drafted No. 1 for a reason.
Q: What have you learned from the first two years in the NFL?
A: We are just always looking to be better as a team. We had too many turnovers last year. We have to cut that down. We have too man (explosive) plays on defense. We need to cut that down.
Q: Where’s Kiko Alonso in his recovery?
A: He's in a defensive meeting right now.
Q: Do you expect him to play this week?
A: Yeah, he played last week. Kiko full-go. One hundred percent. He'll be playing on Monday.
Q: How has Andrew Gardner, the former Georgia Tech, player helped to stabilize the guard position?
A: Andrew played a lot for us last year Todd Herremans after the Texans game. He's played a lot of football us here in his career. Very consistent performer. He's big. He's got good size. He's smart. He's intelligent and he'll be holding down the right guard spot for us.
Q: How has Atlanta’s shakeup along the offensive line affected your preparations?
A: It hasn't. … I know Dan. He's a (heck) of a football coach. He's going to do what he does. We are going to do what we do. The best team will win the football game. There is too much made of, hey they this and we should try to do this. We are going to do what we do. He's going to do what he does. He's been outstanding at coaching his teams. The best team will win on Monday.
Q: How will Sam Bradford hold up if he faces a big pass rush?
A: Just like any normal quarterback adjusts to the pass rush. Obviously, it takes everybody in protection with the quarterbacks and receivers being on the same page. Offensive line making sure we identify things the right way. Having people or people. Sam adjust just like any normal quarterback does in protection.
Q: What’s Darren Sproles’ role with the Eagles?
A: Very versatile player. He can beat you in the return game. He can beat you as a running back. He can beat you as a receiver coming out of the backfield. He obviously went to the Pro Bowl in his first year with us. He's kind of jack of all trades. He can do a lot of different things. He can hurt you in a lot of different ways.
Q: Did you all look at any of the Seattle film to see what Dan Quinn might do in Atlanta?
A: We are basing our stuff off of what he's done since he's been there. Because any good coach, coaches to his personnel. I thought they did a really good job in the (exhibition) season. They generated a real good rush for just a four man rush. I think (Adrian) Clayborn has stood out in the preseason. So has (Vic) Beasley. So has (Jonathan) Babineaux. They can get to the quarterback and they don't have to all out blitz to get to the quarterback. There are a couple of other guys. (Desmond) Trufant is guy who didn't play a lot in the (exhibition) season. We are aware of him. I coached against Desmond when he was at Washington. So, we are aware of him. We think he's one of the really good cornerbacks in the league. William Moore is one of the really good safeties in the league. We spent a lot of our time watching their (exhibition) season tape. Not what Dan did when he was in Seattle because obviously the personnel is different.
Q: What is your theory behind the tempo attack and how best it should work?
A: We are just trying to get the game over quicker.
Q: But, anything football-wise? You know, other than getting the game over quicker.
A: That's it. It's all for the fans. We just want the game to get over quicker. People shouldn't be paying a lot of money to watch guys stand around.
Q: No football reasons though?
A: Not really.
Q: Do you have to defend yourself for your moves more than any coach in the NFL?
A: I don't feel like I have to defend myself. Everybody starts a new season, anew. What anybody did last year really doesn't matter. Especially in this league. Teams that were outstanding, all of sudden, the next year they are not as good. We are a forward moving operation and forward thinking operation. So, we don't spend much time on the past. We're looking toward what's ahead of us and what is ahead of us is Atlanta. That's what our attention is on.
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