Chip Kelly is learning something it took Andy Reid a little longer to grasp.
That smug, 'smartest guy in the room' persona works a lot better when you're in the playoffs.
Yes, Kelly's Eagles again put up 10 wins, same as last year. But they failed to make the playoffs. That means the team took a step backward, regardless of what the team's record is.
Yesterday, at an early-morning press conference to wrap up the season, Kelly was his usual smart-alecky self in jousting with reporters who were seeking answers in terms of what lies ahead.
"We're going to evaluate everything," the coach maintained. But when you listen to the entire press conference, it's pretty clear Kelly had no intention of offering anything of use to the assembled media - or to the fans for that matter.
None of that will change the fact the Kelly, the Eagles and the fans all will share one trait this weekend. They'll all be watching the NFL playoffs on TV.
Kelly refused to address the Birds' clear issues in the defensive secondary, nor his plan for the quarterback position. And he clearly wanted no part of revisiting his off-season decision to release DeSean Jackson and what effect that had on the team's offense.
For now, Kelly continues to get the benefit of the doubt.
But it wouldn't kill him to at least give the appearance that he shares the fans' pain.
Instead, now we can all look forward to a winter consisting of Flyers and Sixers games. Spring training anyone? Oh, never mind.
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