Another Risk with No Reward?
Two offseasons in a row, Chip Kelly cut ties with one of his most explosive offensive players. After year one at the helm, he flat-out cut DeSean Jackson after the brash wideout had his best professional season ever. And yesterday, he traded Pro Bowl running back LeSean McCoy, just one season removed from being the NFL’s leading rusher. For a guy who has not won a single playoff game — though has won 20 games in his first two seasons — it’s asking an awful lot.In return for McCoy, the Eagles get a very talented, very young linebacker in Kiko Alonso, an area they were desperately in need of. In addition, it frees up even more cap space for Philadelphia, giving the Eagles perhaps the most flexibility of any team in the NFL.
On the surface, the deal seems crazy. Throw in Chip’s propensity to bring in former Oregon Ducks, like Alonso, and the move isn’t exactly the most popular in Philadelphia. It’s doubly painful when losing a player everyone seemed to like and everybody definitely enjoyed watching play.
But running backs are a dime a dozen in the NFL, and the Eagles needed help at the linebacker position. If Alonso is healthy, he’s one of the best the league, and at just 24, he could be an anchor for a long time. On top of that, the Eagles are in the best position of any would-be contender to make waves in free agency — and the draft. I’m not sure if I’m 100 percent sold on trading away so much talent every offseason, but if there was a team in the NFL who could afford to make such a bold move, it’s the Philadelphia Eagles. – The Rev
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