Eagles Wake-Up Call: ‘I Think It’s A Huge Risk’

Overall, Rodney Harrison said that he is pretty excited about what Chip Kelly and the Eagles are doing this offseason. He thinks dealing LeSean McCoy and replacing him with DeMarco Murray was the right call. He suggested that Kelly’s decision to allocate more resources to the defensive side of the ball is a sign of growth out of the head coach.

When it comes to the quarterback swap, though, Harrison sounded skeptical at best.

“Really the only move that kind of caught me off guard was the Nick Foles [trade],” the former Patriot safety and NBC analyst told 97.5 The Fanatic. “I really like Nick Foles. I thought he could be similar to Joe Flacco. I really felt like this kid had an opportunity to be special, especially in that offense.”

But Kelly shipped Foles and picks to St. Louis for Sam Bradford, who has struggled to stay on the field the past two seasons. Just how big of a risk is it to cast your lot with Bradford?

“I think it’s a huge risk. I think that’s like taking your life savings and putting it on a hand of blackjack and closing your eyes and hopefully you win,” he responded. “I didn’t understand it. You go from paying a guy a little money who has all the potential in the world in Nick Foles to a guy that’s making ten, twelve million dollars that hasn’t played the last two or three years. And he’s basically a young guy but he’s made of glass; every time you look at him, you touch him, he breaks. I think this is a huge year for Sam Bradford. If he goes out there and stinks it up, this could possibly be the last year in the league for this guy.”

By deciding to ride with Bradford while shipping out many of the big-name, homegrown players, Harrison thinks Kelly is “running a huge risk of losing that locker room” should the move not pan out.

At the same time, he appreciates the boldness and said Kelly’s approach reminds him of his old coach in a way.

“The number one thing — which I love in a head coach — he doesn’t care what we think. He doesn’t care what the media thinks, what people say — and I think you have to have that as a head coach,” he said. “I like the fact that Chip is arrogant, he’s cocky in the sense that he believes in what he wants to do, and he gets it done and he doesn’t care. And [Bill] Belichick always said, ‘I don’t care what outside people think of the moves that I make. Everything I do is in my opinion in the best interest of the team,’ and I think Chip Kelly feels the same way.”

The entire interview with Eytan and Harry is worth a listen.

WHAT YOU MISSED

Pete Carroll backs Kelly, grades for the Eagles’ moves and more in Weekend Reading.

Todd Gurley to the Cowboys? The latest from around the NFC East. 

“I don’t want to throw any offensive lines under the bus, but I think he’s much better suited now with us.” Jason Kelce already working with Bradford. 

“They hit the jackpot with Jordan Matthews, he should’ve been a one.” Mel Kiper on the Eagles’ draft outlook.

WHAT THEY’RE SAYING

Dane Brugler of NFL Draft Scout has Marcus Mariota going to Washington at 5 and the Eagles selecting Utah defensive back Eric Rowe.

Few saw the Eagles drafting Marcus Smith in the first round last year and Chip Kelly could surprise again this year with Rowe. Philadelphia needs help in the secondary and Rowe offers versatility at both corner and safety.

Mike Sielski caught up with former Oklahoma quarterback turned coach Josh Heupel, who helped convince Bradford not to retire following his second ACL tear.

“When a player goes through a big letdown, it’s natural to be down,” said Heupel, who quarterbacked OU to a national title in 2000. “I just tried to reach out to him and say, ‘Hey, I still see this in you as a person and a player. I think the best is yet to come for you. You’ve got to get yourself healthy and get yourself back on the field and get yourself in the right environment with the right people and the right supporting cast around you, and there’s no doubt in my mind you’ll achieve the things you’re capable of achieving and want to achieve.’

“Nothing changed for him from a guy who was the number one overall draft pick as far as who or what he is as a person and a competitor, and ultimately that’s why there’s no doubt in my mind he’s going to reach the pinnacle of success.”

COMING UP

We’re a month out from the draft. Time to start gearing up.