There was no doubting that Chip Kelly was going to bring a different style of play to the Philadelphia Eagles. The former Oregon coach is not known for operating under a traditional style of offense. He feasts on up-tempo play and fast thinking. He was very vocal about not changing that while transitioning with the Philadelphia Eagles. The switch in style has been a tough awakening for some players, like DeSean Jackson.
The wide receiver hybrid is not too thrilled at Kelly's lack of loyalty to the depth chart once installed by Andy Reid. Jackson, who is used to playing strictly with the first-team offense, has seen playing time with both the second- and third-team offense. He is not too thrilled.
"There were times when I was going with the threes, times when I was going with the twos, things like that. There was a point where I went into Chip Kelly's office and talked to him face-to-face to see what was going on with that. When I went in there, he said he expects everyone to buy into the system and do everything the right way. And if there is any little thing a player doesn't want to do, that's his way of reacting to it. The best thing I did was go talk to him instead of sitting back and being ma," Jackson said.
Kelly has been adamant of everyone having to earn their starting position. He has made that clear with the quarterbacks, giving everyone on the roster equal time with the first-team players. Michael Vick and Nick Foles are battling it out for the top spot, so everyone else must as well. Jackson has to prove he is better than other receivers like Riley Cooper and Damaris Jackson.
"Now I'm with the right group and everything is good and there's never been no problems. I just had to get a feel for Kelly and know what he wants and what he expects me to do," Jackson said.
Kelly has clearly sent a message that he is not afraid to demote any assumed starter. Players with the biggest contracts are not promised anything under the new head coach. Kelly likes to run a "musical chairs" offense where everyone gets time at every position. Players must adapt.
The six-year veteran admitted it has been an adjustment going from Reid to Kelly, but stresses that he is "all in" for the team in 2013. This will be a big contract year for Jackson. His salary spikes to $10 million in 2014 so he must continue to prove he is an elite receiver of the league.