Chip Kelly’s unique approach to coaching extends beyond just the nature of his offense and also to a belief in going for two after the first touchdown of the game. Kelly did that several times at Oregon, and he did it on Thursday night against the Chiefs.
Unfortunately, it didn’t work on Thursday. But Kelly still thinks he made the right call.
“If you get a chance to steal a point here or there, in the long run, it can really benefit you,” Kelly said, via Philly.com. “That’s always been our philosophy. Does it mean we’re going to do it all the time? No, I think you pick and choose it.”
The “swinging gate” play the Eagles used looked awkward from the start, but Kelly said it would have worked if everyone had done their assignments properly. Kelly also said he believes that just as it worked for him in college, going for two in unorthodox situations can work for him in the NFL -- as long as everyone gets blocked.
“It’s not a tactic that worked at one level, but doesn’t at another level,” Kelly said. “I know whether you play Pop Warner football, high school football, college, or the NFL, if you don’t block your guy at the point of attack, he’s probably going to make the tackle.”
So even though it didn’t work, don’t be surprised to see Kelly try it again.