Weekend Reading: Super Coaches Like Chip

Here are some Eagles-related links to check out this weekend:

Reuben Frank of CSN Philly reports that both Bill Belichick and Pete Carroll are in favor of Chip Kelly’s expanded role in the front office:

“The fact that Chip’s gotten that here in this offseason I think will only enhance his effect,” Carroll said. “He’s done a great job in transitioning from college to the league already, but this will enhance his opportunity to build his team more quickly.

“I think they’re going to be very dangerous because of that.”

Belichick, another NFL coach with final say over personnel matters, also spoke highly of Kelly this week in Arizona.

“Chip is smart … very thorough, has a lot of experience,” Belichick told Clark. “He’s had great success. I respect what he and his staff and his organization do.

“We’ve learned a lot from him in terms of either communicating with him or watching what they do and trying to see how we can apply it to our team. I have a lot of respect for Chip.”

Dave Spadaro of PhiladelphiaEagles.com believes that newly appointed VP of Player Personnel Ed Marynowitz will transition into his new role swiftly:

It’s a structure that is very similar to what the Patriots do. Bill Belichick is the head coach and he has built an enviable football program, and Nick Caserio is the Director of Player Personnel, the behind-the-scenes grinder who organizes the scouting department and personnel side of the business, while working in tandem with Belichick, who has the final say.

That’s the way it’s expected to work here. Kelly has the final say on personnel, and he and Marynwitz will collaborate on strategies to acquire and develop personnel. It is their vision that guides the Eagles moving forward.

This is what Chip Kelly wanted: A personnel executive who shares the same vision to push the Eagles forward, and it just so happens that the best candidate among those interviewed is Marynowitz, and now the Eagles have a seamless transition and can rapidly build their offseason game plan.

Andrew Kulp of the 700 Level wonders if Zach Ertz will finally have a breakout year in 2015 or if he will remain stuck behind Brent Celek on Kelly’s depth chart:

At this point, I’m not sure how much is going to change. Celek is expected to return, so he’ll continue to get the nod in many situations. And in all honesty, Ertz’s blocking and consistency—a fumble along with some key drops didn’t do him any favors—need to improve quite a bit before he’s entrusted in the role of an every-down tight end.

We could probably point to the fact that the offense as a whole was not as efficient as it should’ve been, which resulted in some missed opportunities for Ertz. The offensive line was banged up all year. Quarterback play was erratic. Drives constantly stalled inside the red zone. All of these conceivably affected every skill player’s numbers negatively.

All of that may be true, but it doesn’t change the fact that Ertz simply hasn’t become a star yet.

It’s a little disappointing the Eagles wouldn’t consider utilizing more two-tight end sets or find ways to get him on the field, but clearly Kelly and his coaching staff don’t have that level of trust in Ertz right now. And while Ertz may have the physical tools to one day post Pro Bowl-caliber production, he hasn’t proven to be indispensible exactly, limited playing time or not.

Ertz is only 24 still appears to be a player very much on the rise. One way or the other, his day may come, and soon, because Celek is 30 and has two years remaining on his contract.

Nick Wagoner of ESPN.com looks at the potential of Nick Foles going to St. Louis and what else it would take for the Eagles to receive the 10th pick in return:

 It’s no secret that Kelly has an affinity for Oregon quarterback Marcus Mariota, the Heisman Trophy winner who Kelly coached before taking the Eagles job. But Kelly and the Eagles are almost certainly well out of range to select Mariota, as they hold the No. 20 overall pick in the draft.

Which might lead us to the crux of the situation. The Rams hold the No. 10 pick in the draft, which is also probably out of reach of Mariota but certainly a lot closer to Mariota’s range than the 20th spot. Should Kelly and the Eagles decide to move up to try to get Mariota, they might have to make multiple trades and could dangle Foles as bait in one of those moves.

The question then becomes whether the Rams would be willing to make the move. There’s no chance the Rams would simply trade the 10th pick for Foles straight up. If Philadelphia offered the 20th pick, Foles and a mid-round pick for the 10th pick, that would be something the Rams would have to take a closer look at.