Eagles fans should have been intrigued by yesterday’s AFC and NFC championship games. And not just because it set up what will undoubtedly be referred to as the Har-Bowl.
Yes, John Harbaugh will lead his Baltimore Ravens into the Super Bowl. Across the field on the opposing sideline he will find a familiar face, his brother Jim, coach of the San Francisco 49ers.
John’s face is familiar to Eagles fans. He was the Birds’ special teams coach for several years under Andy Reid before taking the ride down I-95 to take over the Ravens.
But the intrigue for Eagles fans for yesterday’s games only starts there. Actually, there’s a lot more to the similarities here than meets the eye.
Did you notice the offenses being employed by both the Patriots and 49ers. Both run the hurry-up that will be a big part of the Eagles’ offense under new coach Chip Kelly, at least if he stays true to his beliefs, and there’s no reason to believe he won’t.
Secondly, did you notice the read option that was being employed by the Niners and stud young QB Colin Kaepernick? Look for that to be a big part of Kelly’s offense here. That’s the reason I would not be too quick to write off Michael Vick. I think he would be perfect in Kelly’s offense. The big question is whether he will be willing to restructure his deal so that it will not be so costly for the Eagles. They don’t have long to make up their minds. The Eagles must make a decision on Vick by just a few days after the Super Bowl.
And finally, there is one more thing to keep in mind. The experts are quick to tell us that big-time college coaches who make the jump to the NFL with little or no pro experience very often fall on their face and eventually slink back to the college ranks with their tail between their legs. Think Lou Holtz, Nick Saban and Steve Spurrier.
Don’t tell that to Jim Harbaugh. He went from the Stanford sidelines to the 49ers and never missed a beat.
Now if only Kelly can do the same for the Eagles.
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