Howard Smith-USA TODAY Sports
A football team is a unique structure. Teams need unity, quality players, and a solid atmosphere to handle any issues.
Riley Cooper‘s dismissal from Philadelphia Eagles‘ team activities until the completion of counseling is a good step for the team. He could not be at practice right now. It would be too much to ask from the other members of the group. Cooper needs time away and, if Chip Kelly knows what is good for the team, he will be cut sooner than later.
Cooper, as with a few other players on the team, is a holdover from Reid’s time as the decision-maker. Since the end of last season, Howie Roseman had made moves to finally cut ties with Reid’s regime, and the changing of the guard will continue as we near Week 1 in September.
The draft issues in the Reid era were were a constant source of pain for fans. As CSNPhilly.com explains, “They’ve drafted just two Pro Bowl players since 2006, LeSean McCoy and DeSean Jackson, and they haven’t drafted a Pro Bowl defender in the first three rounds since 2001.”
“Their recent big-money free agents? Nnamdi Asomugha, Jason Babin, Cullen Jenkins, Vince Young, Ronnie Brown and Steve Smith became punchlines instead of Pro Bowlers.”
Joe Banner is out. Tom Donahoe, Rick Mueller and Tom Gamble are in. These guys are three veteran personnel men from franchises with winning records. This last draft showed a marked departure from the Reid method of evaluation. Roseman and Kelly took players who were contributors in college and solid performers with high upside. Kelly’s closeness with the college game only enhanced their evaluation ability.
It will take time to change the culture of this team. Kelly must convince the players to forget Reid’s influence and accept the new system. Any players not performing must be cut and moved for quality returns. If Roseman and Kelly can listen to these voices of experience, follow their advice and reshape this team, success will come.
Matt Shaner is a Philadelphia Eagles writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @MDShanersports, “Like” him on Facebook or add him to your network on Google.
