Quotables: Chip Kelly doesn’t care one bit about depth charts
The Eagles head coach was forced to release a depth chart earlier this week, and he isn’t exactly pleased about it. Elsewhere, David Wilson delivers a tearful goodbye and Tom Coughlin says Odell Beckham Jr. is nearing a return.
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- Chip Kelly
The Philadelphia Eagles released their first unofficial depth chart earlier this week … and Chip Kelly is here to tell you the whole thing is a sham. The second-year head coach went on a mild tirade on Wednesday, essentially calling the depth chart media fluff.
“I think [Eagles PR Director] Derek [Boyko] did it,” Kelly said, according to Philly.com. “That depth chart means absolutely nothing. The only reason we make one is because they tell us to make one. Call it whatever you want to call it.”
So Chip, how much should we buy into the fact that Nate Allen is listed above Earl Wolff at safety?
Chip don't care. pic.twitter.com/x3lxvqdNnh
— Jimmy Kempski (@JimmyKempski) August 2, 2014 “These are tears of joy, man. Don’t for a second you all think that I’m pitying myself or sad, because I got to live my dream.”
David Wilson -- the New York Giants running back who learned earlier this week that a spinal injury meant the end of his football career -- addressed the media on Wednesday, providing a touching and uplifting soliloquy about his plans for the future.
ESPN has the highlights of the emotional goodbye:
A tearful David Wilson says goodbye to the @Giants and his NFL career. WATCH: http://t.co/B4GQCX1YHm
— NFL on ESPN (@ESPNNFL) August 6, 2014 “Sounds like he’s getting close. They have him doing a lot of things.”
- Tom Coughlin on Odell Beckham Jr.‘s return
Odell Beckham Jr., who has been sidelined for several weeks with a hamstring issue, is closing in on a return to Giants practice, head coach Tom Coughlin told Jordan Raanan of NJ.com. The rookie wide receiver was outside jogging on Wednesday, the first time he’s done so since aggravating the hamstring on the first day of training camp practice.
Beckham struggled with a hamstring issue in OTAs as well, so the Giants are being cautious in easing him back in. Pro Football Talk reports that he will not play in the preseason game against the Pittsburgh Steelers on Saturday.
“I don’t care if they come after me or not. That doesn’t scare me.”
Eagles cornerback Cary Williams raised some hackles in Boston last week when he said he didn't want to take part in a join practice with the New England Patriots because they are "cheaters." He's not backing off either.
“I stand firm on what my beliefs are, and that’s just that,” Williams told The News Journal. “I didn’t tell a lie. At the end of the day, that did happen. It’s in the history books. As far as I’m concerned, I made a comment about it and that’s that.”
No, he’s not concerned with the Patriots coming after him next week.
“I don’t care if they come after me or not. That doesn’t scare me. My mentality is I’ve never been a punk, never been a sissy, never been a guy that’s going to be a scared guy. I don’t play this game in fear at all. I don’t fear no man.”
This should make for an interesting week of practice.
“He’s going to be 10 times better than where he was last year, and I’m looking forward to it.”
- Michael Vick on Geno Smith
After leaving Philadelphia to get out from under the emerging Nick Foles, it has to be tough for Michael Vick to watch Geno Smith tighten his grasp on the New York Jets starting quarterback job. But credit Vick, whose remained staunchly in support of his teammate throughout the competition.
Vick told ESPN.com that Smith has vastly improved in his second offseason and that the youngster “is going to be great.”
Smith agreed, at least in regards to his development since his rookie year.
“Physically, I’m bigger and stronger,” he said. “The mental side of it, I’m not thinking as much, not swimming as much. I have a better grasp of the offense. ... Ultimately, it’s about proving it on the field, going out there Thursday night and being sharp and having a good showing.”
Smith has been named the starter for the preseason game against the Indianapolis Colts on Thursday.
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