Philadelphia Eagles: Chip Kelly’s Sports Science Is The Global Warming of the NFL
By Jay Gray
@JAYGRAY_WOKV
Howard Smith- USA TODAY Sports
Global warming is one of the most controversial pieces of science in history. Some people believe the humans are causing the earth’s temperature to rise, and there are equal amounts of people who say there is no proof of global warming at all. Chip Kelly and his sports science is going to be debated just as much because of the season the Philadelphia Eagles are having.
Sports science is a discipline that studies the application of scientific principles and techniques with the aim of improving sporting performance. For a simpler definition, I refer to Ivan Drago’s Russian handler in Rocky IV: “It makes a man a better man, an athlete a super athlete.” Kelly brought his sports science with him to Philadelphia last season and it paid off. We all thought it was hilarious that he wouldn’t let a punter practice until he passed a conditioning test, but nobody was laughing as the Eagles were healthier and fitter than any other team in the league.
Kelly revolutionized the league last year with his sports science, but it might be time to go back to class. For all the nutrition planning, conditioning, sleep monitoring and even sweat studies, the Eagles’ injuries are mounting. The offensive line that played every snap together last season is down to one remaining member. The receivers dealt with injuries all preseason, and the Eagles’ best defender Michael Kendricks is also sidelined with an injury.
You can argue that the Eagles’ injuries would be much worse if not for Kelly’s sports science program. You can also argue that all this work is too taxing on the body. Eagles cornerback Cary Williams brought up that exact point. He said, “I’m just a guy that’s man enough to stand up for players and just say that we’re burnt out. My legs hurt. My legs were done in the fourth quarter. My legs were done in the third quarter. My legs were done before the game started.” So is Chip Kelly’s sports science doing more harm than good?
The jury is still out on that one, but we will know in December. The Eagles are 3-0 and look better in the fourth quarter than any team they have played. So far so good, but with a matchup with the defending Super Bowl champion Seattle Seahawks and three divisional games in December, the Eagles better be fresh. If they can compete in December then the sports science is working, but if not then it’s time to go back to the drawing board.
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