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When Chip Kelly decided to bolt from the University of Oregon to become the Philadelphia Eagles‘ new head coach this week, he knew that he would have to field certain personnel with specific skills in order to fit his up-tempo, speed-first style of offense.
There will be no search required for Kelly’s ideal running back because RB LeSean McCoy is already firmly planted in the Eagles’ backfield.
The skill set that McCoy possesses is literally perfect for Kelly’s spread-option type of offensive system because of his ankle-breaking elusiveness, electric acceleration and flat-out speed.
While McCoy did miss four games this season with a concussion, he still experienced a significant drop off in production when he was on the field in 2012 as he ran for just 840 yards and two touchdowns in his 12 games. This lackluster campaign comes just a year after McCoy put up 1,309 rushing yards with an incredible 17 touchdowns on the ground.
Never mind the unimpressive 2012 statistics. McCoy is still a lethal threat for the Eagles at running back. And with his superior pass-catching and run-after-catch abilities, he is truly an optimal fit for Kelly’s system.
Eagles backup RB Bryce Brown was very hit or miss in his time starting in place of McCoy this past season, so it will be interesting to see how Kelly incorporates him into the offense. Eagles third-stringer RB Dion Lewis could certainly see increased action in Kelly’s offense, considering he is an all-speed tailback.
With absolute burners already at wide-out in DeSean Jackson, Jeremy Maclin and newcomer Damaris Johnson, the Eagles receiving corps are completely stocked as well.
The one remaining piece of the puzzle that is needed to fully mold this Eagles’ offense is a mobile quarterback with above average decision-making abilities.
While current Eagles QB Michael Vick certainly fits Kelly’s criteria, look for the first-time NFL coach to eye the 2013 NFL Draft for a younger, more durable quarterback to run his offense.
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