Eagles' Kelly serves notice - Football Wires - MiamiHerald.com

Extra Points: Eagles' Kelly serves notice - Football Wires - MiamiHerald.com

By John McMullen

PHILADELPHIA -  Turns out the reinvention of that wheel was pretty darn impressive.

Chip Kelly is about to drag the NFL -- kicking and screaming -- into the year
2013.

The first-year Philadelphia Eagles coach finally unleashed his up-tempo attack
on Monday and the result was a two-time Super Bowl-winning coach with a very
impressive Kickoff Weekend resume (15-4) looking like Roberto Duran after
taking a humiliating bolo punch from Sugar Ray Leonard.

LeSean McCoy rushed for 184 yards and a touchdown on 31 carries, while Michael
Vick accounted for three touchdowns, as the Birds spoiled the return of
quarterback Robert Griffin III with a 33-27 triumph over the reigning NFC East
champion Washington Redskins.

"I had a lot of fun tonight and I think our guys had a lot of fun," Kelly said
of his debut. "But you're always going to say that when you win."

Philadelphia built a 26-7 lead at halftime, totaling 322 yards on 53 plays,
the most repetitions by an NFL team in the first half of a contest since the
1998 Minnesota Vikings -- one of the greatest offensive teams of all-time --
got off 58.

McCoy took over the NFL's Week 1 rushing lead by the end of the first 30
minutes, scampering for 115 yards, and the 26 total points the Eagles scored
was a number they topped only once in 2012 under Andy Reid.

It should have been even worse, save for an awful fumble ruling on the opening
drive of the game which resulted in Washington's lone TD.

Redskins coach Mike Shanahan took two 10-second runoffs in the final minute of
the heart-stopping first half just to get out of FedEx Field for a moment and
collect his thoughts. The only thing missing was the white flag or the orange-
tinted mentor himself uttering "No Mas."

"I think it was the tempo -- we were going, going, going, sometimes as fast as
we can go," Eagles tight end Brent Celek said. "That is good; it was good to
get that going, a big part of our offense. It was tough on them."

Kelly's playbook featured exotic formations and plenty of misdirection. It
made average players like Riley Cooper into solid contributors, and
rejuvenated worn-down veterans like Celek and DeSean Jackson.

"I don't think it was a bag of tricks, I think it's just football," Kelly
said. "And like any staff, no matter who you are, you're always trying to get
formations up to be friendly to you and try to get you some friendly looks
where you can do what you want to do."

The one caution flag for the Eagles was raised in the second half when the
madness to Kelly's method came to fruition. Philadelphia was gassed, too, and
RG3, playing his first game since knee surgery, started trusting his repaired
limb. The potential 'Skins comeback came up short, however.

"I think you always have fatigue in the fourth quarter, no matter what team
you're on. You've played a game," Kelly said on Tuesday. "So in the fourth
quarter, you're not going to be as fresh as you were in the first quarter. The
biggest thing is not to be as fatigued as the team you're playing against."

What most people around the NFL don't get is Kelly is playing a game of three-
card Monte with the strange formations and eclectic play calls. That's the
window dressing designed to distract from the real formula to his success as
an offensive coach, the speed in which his teams play.

"I don't think you can get too much faster than that," Vick said. "I have
never been in anything like it. When the first quarter was over, I thought we
were going into halftime. It was unreal. The only thing I could tell myself
was it's going to be a long season."

NFL players -- at least the ones who didn't play under Kelly at Oregon or at a
few other up-tempo programs  -- have been learning to play at one pace
forever. Run a play, huddle and then do it again.

It's an old-school formula rooted in the considerable egos of most coaches.
The scheme and the system are treated like some kind of Holy Grail by people
caught up in hubris. And those mentors haven't noticed the rapid changes to
the game going on around them.

It's almost the polar opposite of what is going on in basketball, where the
college game is the one rooted in ego with an overly structured framework
designed to make the coaches bigger than the game in an effort to skew their
importance.

Defenders are handcuffed in today's NFL. Nearly every rule change of the past
decade benefits the offense and, whether you like it or not, defensive players
are getting penalized 15 yards for every Lavonte David-like love tap.

Meanwhile, when you run a no-huddle and do not substitute, that means the
defense can't either, a major problem for defensive coordinators who have been
rotating in linemen for years in an effort to keep their pass rushers fresh
for the fourth quarter of games.

There's only a handful of D-lineman left around the NFL with the conditioning
to handle 65 or 70 snaps in a game, never mind the 80, 90 or more Kelly is
shooting for.

"I felt like (the tempo) was slow, to be honest with you," Kelly said as
reporters laughed.

He was deadly serious, though.

"I'm not joking. We've got to do a better job. We left the ball on the ground
too much. We didn't get the ball to the officials. We could have sped things
up from a process between plays. That's something we need to continue to work
on."

The shift to this brand of football isn't something I like and it's something
coaches like Shanahan no doubt disdain, but ignoring it isn't going to make
the problem go away.

Kelly is acknowledging what's going on around him and adapting. He's the guy
with the WIFI-enabled smart TV which has Netflix and Hulu Plus, while Shanahan
is searching for the fourth season of "Seinfeld" at his local flea market to
put in his VCR.

"(It was) kind of what we thought. It was what they've done before in the
past," Shanahan said when asked about the Eagles offense. "They out-executed
us."

Done in the past?

Out-executed?

Old school hyperbole by a relic who is just incapable of understanding what
happened to him or his team.

Shanahan remains a great coach when compared to others who subscribe to his
philosophies. To those who don't accept an antiquated premise of what 2013
football is, he's an easy mark.

If the NFL really is a copycat league, it's time to start mimicking the right
people.


NFL POWER POLL

The Sports Network's updated NFL Power Poll, which ranks all 32 league teams,
can be found here: http://tinyurl.com/2cjp9l8


THE GAMES (All Times Eastern) - WEEK 2


New York Jets (1-0) at New England (1-0), Thursday, 8:25 p.m.

LINE: Patriots by 12

THE SKINNY: "Broadway Joe" hasn't been relevant since he was seen kissing
Suzy Kolber, so "Broadway Mo" stepped it up this week. Muhammad Wilkerson, the
New York Jets' emerging third-year defensive end, showed more than a bit of
swagger by telling multiple media outlets that he believes his team will knock
off Tom Brady and the banged-up Patriots at Gillette Stadium.

However, you have to think the short week favors the home team with the
veteran
quarterback over the visitors and the rookie. Meanwhile, the Pats have won
each
of the past five regular-season contests between the two clubs, averaging 38
points per game in doing so.

PREDICTION: Patriots 21, Jets 17


St. Louis (1-0) at Atlanta (0-1), Sunday. 1 p.m.

Line: Falcons by 7

THE SKINNY: This game will feature the top 3 picks of 2008 NFL Draft: St.
Louis left tackle Jake Long (No. 1 by Miami), Rams defensive end Chris Long
(No. 2) and Atlanta Pro Bowl QB Matt Ryan as well as Falcons running back
Steven Jackson facing his former team for the first time. Jackson, drafted No.
24 overall by the Rams in 2004, is that franchise's all-time leading rusher
with 10,138 yards, rushing for 1,000-plus yards in a team-record eight
consecutive seasons.

The Falcons, considered a legitimate Super Bowl contender by many, are trying
to avoid an 0-2 hole after last week's tough loss in New Orleans. Ryan is 2-0
in his career against the Rams and had a 101.8 passer rating the last time he
faced St. Louis back in 2010. That's a magic number in Dixie. When Ryan starts
and has a 100-plus passer rating, the Falcons are a gaudy 32-1.

PREDICTION: Falcons 34, Rams 20


Cleveland (0-1) at Baltimore (0-1), Sunday, 1 p.m.

LINE: Ravens by 6 1/2

THE SKINNY: The reigning Super Bowl champion Ravens aim to bounce back from an
embarrassing opening night loss to Peyton Manning and the Denver Broncos.
Baltimore is 33-7 at home under head coach John Harbaugh and has won five
straight in the Charm City over Cleveland. Baltimore QB Joe Flacco, meanwhile,
is 10-0 as starter in his career against the Browns.

PREDICTION: Ravens 24, Browns 13


Carolina (0-1) at Buffalo (0-1), Sunday, 1 p.m.

LINE: Panthers by 3

THE SKINNY: A pair of teams coming off tough losses during Kickoff Weekend
meet in Western New York. Buffalo is 4-1 all-time versus Carolina and
impressive rookie QB E.J. Manuel, the first freshman to start at the game's
most important position for the Bills since Joe Ferguson in 1973, posted an
impressive 105.5 passer rating last week against New England, the fourth-best
mark in the AFC. The Panthers have won two straight versus AFC foes and ride
QB Cam Newton, who became the fifth-fastest in NFL history to reach 8,000
passing yards against Seattle last week.

PREDICTION: Panthers 21, Bills 20


Minnesota (0-1) at Chicago (0-1), Sunday, 1 p.m.

LINE: Bears by 6

THE SKINNY: The Vikings will be attempting to avoid an early 0-2 hole in the
NFC North against a Bears team that has dominated them in Chicago in recent
years. The Bears have won five straight over Minnesota in the Second City and
11 of 12 overall. Chicago QB Jay Cutler, meanwhile, has won five of his past
six starts against the Vikings.

PREDICTION: Bears 27, Vikings 17


Washington (0-1) at Green Bay (0-1), Sunday, 1 p.m.

LINE: Packers by 7 1/2

THE SKINNY: A pair of reigning division champions come in ornery after
embarrassing defensive efforts. Washington got run over by the truck that was
Chip Kelly's offense and Colin Kaepernick continued his dominance over Clay
Matthews and Co. The Packers will likely right the ship this weekend because
Aaron Rodgers has won 19 of his past 20 starts at Lambeau Field while Robert
Griffin III, despite passing for a career-high 329 yards thanks to extended
garbage time on Monday night, didn't look all that confident in his surgically
repaired knee.

PREDICTION: Packers 30, Redskins 20


Tennessee (1-0) at Houston (1-0), Sunday, 1 p.m.

LINE: Texans by 9 1/2

THE SKINNY: Houston takes a shot at continuing its dominance over the AFC
South during the team's home opener against Tennessee. Texans QB Matt Schaub,
who registered his 26th career 30-yard passing game in Monday night's
thrilling comeback win over San Diego, has a 6-2 career record with 17 TDs
versus just one interception and a 105.6 passer rating against the Titans.
Reigning NFL Defensive Player of the Year J.J. Watt had two sacks in each of
his last two games against Tennessee. Chris Johnson is the Titans' best
chance.
The speedy running back has averaged 89.3 rushing yards per game versus the
Texans, and when he hits the century park, Tennessee is a solid 24-9 overall.

PREDICTION: Texans 30, Titans 14


Miami (1-0) at Indianapolis (1-0), Sunday, 1 p.m.

LINE: Colts by 3

THE SKINNY: Home is where Andrew Luck's heart is. The second-year star has won
seven straight games as a starter in Lucas Oil Stadium and is 8-1 there
overall. If things are close down the stretch, assume the "Luck" will be good
for Indy, because the former Stanford star has had eight game-winning drives
in the fourth quarter or overtime, the most by a QB in his first 17 games
since the 1970 merger. Fellow second-year standout Ryan Tannehill passed for
290 yards with one TD and a 90.9 passer rating in a 23-20 loss to the Colts
last season, the only time the Dolphins have lost when Tannehill records a 90-
plus rating (6-1).

PREDICTION: Colts 24, Dolphins 20


Dallas (1-0) at Kansas City (1-0), Sunday, 1 p.m.

LINE: Chiefs by 3

THE SKINNY: Andy Reid's debut as Chiefs coach was pretty fruitful as Kansas
City recorded a 28-2 victory at Jacksonville. QB Alex Smith, also making
his Chiefs' debut, threw two touchdown passes and Jamaal Charles added a
rushing score. The Cowboys, meanwhile, forced six turnovers in their Week 1
victory over the New York Giants. On offense, Tony Romo threw two touchdowns,
both to tight end Jason Witten. Since 2011, Smith is 20-5-1 as starter with 32
TDs versus 10 INTs and a 95.0 passer rating.

PREDICTION: Chiefs 24, Cowboys 21


San Diego (0-1) at Philadelphia (1-0), Sunday, 1 p.m.

LINE: Eagles by 7 1/2

THE SKINNY: LeSean McCoy rushed for an NFL-best 184 yards and a TD last week
on a career-high 31 carries. The Eagles are 11-1 when he totes it 20 times or
more in game. The Chargers' Philip Rivers will attempt to bounce back from the
colossal collapse against Houston on Monday and was 20-of-25 for 231 yards and
two TDs in his only career start against Philly, a 31-23 Chargers win back in
2009.

PREDICTION: Eagles 27, Chargers 24


Detroit (1-0) at Arizona (0-1), Sunday, 4:05 p.m.

LINE: Lions by 2

THE SKINNY: Reggie Bush will try to build on his impressive debut performance
with the Lions in the desert. Bush became the first player since Cid Edwards
in 1972 with 90-plus rushing yards (90) and 100-plus receiving yards (101) in
his first game with a new team. The Cardinals have won four straight over
Detroit and QB Carson Palmer lit up the Lions in his last start against them
while with the Oakland Raiders, completing 32-of-40 passes for 367 yards back
in 2011.

PREDICTION: Cardinals 28, Lions 21


New Orleans (1-0) at Tampa Bay (0-1), Sunday, 4:05 p.m.

LINE: Saints by 3 1/2

THE SKINNY: Saints QB Drew Brees has won three in row as a starter against the
Bucs, completing 80-of-112 passes for 942 yards with 10 TDs and just two picks
over that span. Since joining New Orleans in 2006 the All-Pro leads the NFL
with 33,928 passing yards and 246 TD throws. Embattled Tampa Bay signal caller
Josh Freeman had a career-high 420 passing yards the last time the Saints were
at Tampa.

PREDICTION: Saints 34, Bucs 24


Denver (1-0) at New York Giants (0-1), Sunday, 4:25 p.m.

LINE: Broncos by 4 1/2

THE SKINNY: The Manning brothers will meet at MetLife Stadium -- the home of
Super Bowl XLVIII -- in what they hope is just the first of two meetings this
season. This contest will mark the first time in NFL history that the opposing
starting quarterbacks will have each thrown for at least 400 yards in the
previous week.

Denver is coming off a 49-27 win over Baltimore, the largest margin of victory
against a defending Super Bowl champion in a season opener. Peyton Manning
completed 27-of-42 passes for 462 yards with an NFL-record-tying seven
touchdowns and no interceptions for a 141.1 passer rating.

"It's fun to play quarterback when you have a lot of guys working hard and
making a lot of plays for you," Manning said.

Eli Manning and the Giants will be attempting to rebound from a 36-31 defeat
at Dallas. In that game, the younger Manning threw for 450 yards and four
touchdowns, but the Giants turned the ball over six times.

"Now we have to look ahead to the Denver Broncos," said Giants safety Antrel
Rolle. "We all know what Peyton Manning brings to the table. We just have to
play our best football and continue to grow."

PREDICTION: Giants 30, Broncos 24


Jacksonville (0-1) at Oakland (0-1), Sunday, 4:25 p.m.

LINE: Raiders by 6

THE SKINNY: Perhaps the NFL's two worst teams meet in the Bay Area when the
Jags and Raiders square off. Chad Henne takes over at QB for Jacksonville,
which laid a 28-2 egg against Kansas City in its home opener last Sunday.
Henne, who is in for the injured Blaine Gabbert, threw for 307 yards and two
TDs in his last effort against Oakland back in 2010 when he was with the
Dolphins. New Raiders starter Terrelle Pryor, who will be making his first
career start at home, rushed for 112 yards last week in a setback at Indy, a
franchise single-game record for a QB.

PREDICTION: Raiders 20, Jags 14


San Francisco (1-0) at Seattle (1-0), Sunday, 8:30 p.m.

LINE: Seahawks by 3

THE SKINNY:

The first installment of the expected arms race atop the NFC West happens
Sunday night in Seattle when the defending NFC champion 49ers visit the
Seahawks.

The Niners opened the season by knocking off Green Bay, 34-28, behind
Kaepernick and his new favorite target, veteran wide receiver Anquan Boldin,
who played for the Super Bowl champion Ravens last season. Boldin had 13
catches for 208 yards against the Pack, while Kaepernick threw for a career-
high 412 yards and three touchdowns.

"It was great to go out there and get this win," Kaepernick said. "You always
want to win your opener; it sets the tone for the season."

The Seahawks, meanwhile, traveled to Carolina in Week 1 and defeated the
Panthers, 12-7, behind second-year QB Russell Wilson, who passed for 320 yards
and a touchdown.

"It's about overcoming adversity," said Seattle Pro Bowl cornerback Richard
Sherman. "Getting this type of game early is going to help us throughout the
season."

Last year, the Seahawks were 8-0 at home as Wilson became the first rookie in
NFL history to win all eight home games. In those eight contests, Wilson threw
for 17 touchdowns and only two interceptions for a 123.6 passer rating.

PREDICTION: Seahawks 23, 49ers 17


Pittsburgh (0-1) at Cincinnati (0-1), Monday, 8:40 p.m.

LINE: Bengals by 7

THE SKINNY: The Steelers lost far more than a game last week when Pro Bowl
center Maurkice Pouncey, linebacker Larry Foote and running back LaRod
Stephens-Howling all went down with season-ending injuries against Tennessee.
Expecting Pittsburgh to continue its recent dominance over Cincinnati could be
too much to ask. The Steelers have won 10 of their past 11 against the Bengals
and coach Mike Tomlin is 7-1 on Monday nights, but Cincy QB Andy Dalton has
nine TD passes versus just one pick over his previous four home starts.

PREDICTION: Bengals 21, Steelers 14