Eagles Owner Jeffrey Lurie on Friday announced that coach Chip Kelly is now also "in charge of the personnel department," the result of an organizational restructuring that "gives Kelly more power and leaves Howie Roseman with a new role but without control of the players on the roster," according to Zach Berman of the PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER. Roseman was given a "contract extension" and elevated from GM to Exec VP/Football Operations. He will "direct contract negotiations, salary cap management, and NFL strategic matters," as well as overseeing the team's medical and equipment staffs. The announcement came two days after the "abrupt exit" of VP/Player Personnel Tom Gamble, who was "believed to be a close ally of Kelly." Sources said that there was "tension between Roseman and Kelly." Berman noted Lurie last week said that Roseman "would return" as GM, but he is now "out in that role." Lurie said that the decision "was not made because of demands or threats." But Berman noted the decision "curiously came right after Gamble's unceremonious departure." While Lurie made a point in his statement to "mention that Roseman will still play a 'vital role,'" it will be a "different role than the one Roseman held" since '10. The Eagles will now "begin the search" for a new personnel exec (PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER, 1/3). In Philadelphia, Les Bowen noted the Eagles on Wednesday "shocked most observers by announcing they were parting ways" with Gamble. Sources said that Kelly was "displeased by that move," and that the subsequent announcement of the front office restructuring "came after a "lengthy ... sitdown" with Lurie, Roseman and Kelly (PHILLY.com, 1/2).
FOR WHOM THE LIBERTY BELL TOLLS: In Philadelphia, Bob Ford wrote the threat of Kelly leaving "could have been spoken or merely implied, but Lurie was faced with a 'him-or-me' choice." Lurie "wasn't willing to stare down the dark barrel of starting over with a new coach, particularly leaving behind one whose unique methods are both exciting and unlikely to be replicated by a replacement." There "really wasn't much of a choice to make" (PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER, 1/4). YAHOO SPORTS' Dan Wetzel wrote Lurie followed a "very smart and effective NFL blueprint." With a great coach or a great QB, "you can win." But if you have both, "you can win the Super Bowl." Wetzel: "Whatever you do, don't let one of them walk out the door, leaving the team, like the majority of franchises, endlessly searching for another great, or even competent, one" (SPORTS.YAHOO.com, 1/3). The DAILY NEWS' Les Bowen writes Lurie "had two choices: go along with Kelly's vision, or cut bait." Bowen: "Can you imagine the outcry if the Eagles had announced Kelly's departure Friday? That would have been chaos." However, the fact that this was Lurie's "only viable choice doesn't mean it will work out" (PHILADELPHIA DAILY NEWS, 1/5).
EXECUTIVE ORDERS: In Boston, Ben Volin notes Lurie’s 20-year tenure as owner has been "highlighted by the type of consistency only seen in New England, with only three coaches under his employ." Few coaches "can match Kelly’s success of 20 wins in two seasons, and credit Lurie for finding a way to keep everyone happy" (BOSTON GLOBE, 1/5). In Philadelphia, Jeff McLane writes under the header, "Kelly Wins, So Now It's All On Him." Kelly will now have "absolute football power" in the organization. He "no longer has anyone standing in his way." He will, in essence, "be Bill Belichick-ian." But despite Kelly's "initial protests" upon being hired in '13, he "ultimately wanted more power." Wanting Roseman out of player evaluations also "played a role in his asserting himself." His personnel executive choice "will say more about his motives" (PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER, 1/3). ESPN.com's Phil Sheridan noted Lurie is "reversing a policy" that he implemented after "deciding he'd given former coach Andy Reid too much power." But if nothing else, it "should make for an interesting offseason" (ESPN.com, 1/2). In Newark, Matt Lombardo wrote, "One has to wonder if this move is what is best for the franchise moving forward. It doesn't appear that there is a system of checks and balances in place now with Kelly having the authority to hire Gamble's replacement and have final say over any football decision" (NJ.com, 1/3).
