When he fired Chip Kelly, Eagles owner Jeffrey Lurie promised that his next coach would brim over with "emotional intelligence."
It was a not-so-subtle shot at Kelly's much-discussed ability -- or lack thereof -- to communicate with his players, fellow coaches and people within team walls.
New 49ers quarterback Thad Lewis, though, disagrees with the criticism of Kelly.
"His people skills are great. He treats you like a professional," Lewis said this week, per CSN Bay Area's Matt Maiocco. "You come to work and do your job like you're supposed to, and that's how you're treated."
After spending last season in Philly, the journeyman Lewis said Kelly's approach to the game was a selling point in signing with the Niners.
"Obviously, I made an impression on him and he made an impression on me, because I kind of liked the offense and how he did things," Lewis said. "I respect him as a coach. Obviously, I looked for that again when I had an opportunity to come to San Francisco."
Granted, Lewis isn't going to bash Kelly after joining the team, but it's one voice from the wilderness claiming that the coach was easy to work with.
