Chip Kelly left no doubt who was running the show in Philadelphia when DeSean Jackson was sent packing in March.
Kelly's confidence was on full display with the move. The coach successfully installed a high-octane offense. Now came the bold declaration that one player did not make -- and would not break -- what had been built.
Life A.D. (After DeSean) began with the team's decision to trade up and select Vanderbilt wide receiver Jordan Matthews with the 42nd overall pick in last month's draft. Early results are trending upward. Philly.com's Jimmy Kempski tweeted Tuesday that Matthews "has looked like the best WR on the team, in my opinion, and it hasn't been close."
As Chris Wesseling wrote Tuesday, Matthews has all the measurables to make an immediate impact as a rookie. If he does, it's a major victory for both player ... and coach.
Here are six more takeaways from Tuesday's OTAs and mandatory minicamps:
- There already was a decent chance the Falcons' defense was going to be crummy this season. Prospects grew dimmer after the team announced linebacker Sean Weatherspoontore his Achilles tendon at practice Tuesday. Weatherspoon is snakebit, and the Falcons are scrambling.
- Matthew Stafford has been a popular pick as a bounce-back candidate in 2014. Teammate Reggie Bush fueled that thinking Tuesday, exclaiming that Stafford will "fit in perfectly" with a Lions offense led by new coach Jim Caldwell and offensive coordinator Joe Lombardi.
- Browns coach Mike Pettine continues to say the right things in reference to Johnny Manziel's very public private life. Said Pettine on Tuesday: "If you followed other guys, you'd get some pictures. Maybe not an inflatable swan, but you'd get some pictures." Pettine (no stranger to a good time himself) is the perfect coach to handle JFF fever.
- Both Tony Romoand Eli Manning said they'd be on the field if the season started tomorrow. Note: The season is not starting tomorrow.
- Dolphins cornerback Cortland Finnegan is shoveling more coal into the Bill Lazor Hype Train. "I've never seen anything this fast," Finnegan told the South Florida Sun Sentinel. "It's great. It's going to be great for us as an offense and defense."
- Sean Smith messed up. The Chiefs cornerback was arrested early Monday after driving his car into a light pole while under the influence of alcohol.
*The end to the latest Around The League Podcast is full of shock and awe. *
