Kelly's silence on the race issue

[Prowler]

The sports talk radio chatter was amusing. It suggested Kelly needed to speak up and defend himself on the race issue. Further, his silence on the matter was damning.

But in perusing the usual suspects in Philadelphia sports media this morning, it seems Kelly was smart to hold his tongue. By and large, the media seems to have his back on this issue. Most of them characterize McCoy as disgruntled for having been exiled to Buffalo. The kinder ones say he is simply shortsighted and naïve.

Further, they say Tra Thomas was right: some players, such as McCoy, do think there is a hint of racism behind Kelly's personnel decisions. Yet they are quick to offer the alternative view on this. Kelly is shit canning selfish players, Andy Reid players, less intelligent players, less adaptable players, and the ones who can't or won't buy into his system and philosophy.

I rarely find a reason to credit the media these days. This time, however, kudos to the vast majority of them for getting this story right when it might be all too easy and sensational to keep stirring the pot.

[Raptor]

Great article by Domo this morning

...on the kind of player Kelly is looking for, anybody with an ounce of leadership insight can grasp the concept. It's quite refreshing from the typical football mantras.

[slag]

I was driving through the Philadelphia area and one of the best callers I heard suggested that there was an employer who was hiring immigrants over Americans and making a huge success of his operation because they are the kinds of employees he wants.

Then he said: Greg Popovich

He related how Popovich wants a player who plays his style and that's what he targets ... not because of color, because they fit his system.

This bullshit about Kelly, and particularly using Cooper as support for the argument, is ridiculous.

[Eagle In Ohio]

The only point on Cooper that I kind of agree with

I was driving through the Philadelphia area and one of the best callers I heard suggested that there was an employer who was hiring immigrants over Americans and making a huge success of his operation because they are the kinds of employees he wants.

Then he said: Greg Popovich

He related how Popovich wants a player who plays his style and that's what he targets ... not because of color, because they fit his system.

This bullshit about Kelly, and particularly using Cooper as support for the argument, is ridiculous.

Is that they gave him that big contract extension AFTER he said what he said. I can see how that would look to some people.

[slag]

They gave him a contract extension after he had a big year ... an nobody really gave much of a shit when they did because he played well.

[JuTMSY4]

I think someone already posted this (maybe you Slag?), but this article puts a lot of Chip's alleged racism in perspective:

http://www.thenation.com/blog/200873/chip-kelly-john-carlos-and-r-word

[slag]

Wasn't me ... but I did read the post.

[Susquehanna Birder]

Responding to accusations of racism hardly ever, if at all, works. In this case, it is pretty clear that McCoy's comments were more of the same nonsense that he's already spewed.

[Maniac]

I think someone already posted this (maybe you Slag?), but this article puts a lot of Chip's alleged racism in perspective:

http://www.thenation.com/blog/200873...los-and-r-word

Interesting article. He uses the Carlos anecdote to defend Kelly but also defends Screaming A. Then he attacks the smear campaign against DJax, the coddling of Cooper and a history of racism in Philadelphia.

Something for everybody.

[McCarthy12]

They gave him the contract after Michael Vick got his back (which ensured he would remain an Eagle) and he had a big year. Once Vick went to bat for him, the issue was probably settled in the minds of many within the organization. I think he had that kind of sway.

Something that never gets mentioned is that Vick probably salvaged that season. It could have ended before a single snap was taken. Just one of the reasons that Vick is one of my favorite Eagles.

[3rd & Inches]

I think the Vick experiment had a lot more positives then negatives. Many will not admit that.

[McCarthy12]

I agree. There were some football moments in that first year, especially the Miracle at the Meadowlands II, but more non-football things. I think it's awesome how he rebounded after he got out of prison. Never complained. Did all the right things. I'm proud that he was an Eagle. He's a model for anyone - not just an athlete - who makes a mistake and hits a rough spot in life. It's not lost on me that he was a professional athlete and had a lot of money, which the average person does not, but I don't think it diminishes what he has accomplished.

[Dan Drives a Van]

Is that they gave him that big contract extension AFTER he said what he said. I can see how that would look to some people.

Also, the fact that his contract makes it IMPOSSIBLE to cut him is also a bad look.

It meant that at the time, they chose NOT to invest in Maclin due to concerns about his ability to rebound from an ACL, but DID choose to go all in on a guaranteed long-term contract, expressing no concerns based on his past behavior.

I don't see it as racist. I see it as poor decision-making which put this organization in a compromised PR position.

[Ground_Meat]

Responding to accusations of racism hardly ever, if at all, works. In this case, it is pretty clear that McCoy's comments were more of the same nonsense that he's already spewed.

I agree. Take the high road.

[Raptor]

To wrestle a pig....

Responding to accusations of racism hardly ever, if at all, works. In this case, it is pretty clear that McCoy's comments were more of the same nonsense that he's already spewed.

....you have to get muddy and only the pig likes the mud.