Seth Vigdor
With all of the drama and excitement surrounding LeSean McCoy’s return to Philadelphia this week, it’s really tough to get a moment to catch our breath for even a split second. It’s been an action packed week off the field with current and former NFL players speaking out on Shady’s sensitivity. Every time I turn around, McCoy is yapping away about Chip Kelly.
On Thursday, Chip Kelly spoke to the media. Kelly is known at times for answering questions like Andy Reid did during his stay in Philadelphia. I think the fans deserve honest answers at this point. The only question is whether or not Kelly would be his usual smarmy self.
Chip Kelly expressed his regret for the way the LeSean McCoy trade happened. pic.twitter.com/JwFLso0B4r
— NFL on ESPN (@ESPNNFL) December 10, 2015
Here’s what Kelly said, via CSN Philly.
That’s his choice and I understand. How he was traded wasn’t handled right. And I’ve said that before. I did not get an opportunity to talk to him and it’s a lesson in what we should never do, to be honest with you. We were told that the trade wasn’t initiated and wouldn’t be initiated until the next morning so there were no phone calls to be made. And then all of a sudden, I’m driving to an event and he’s been traded.
I felt bad that I didn’t get a chance to talk to him. I called him. He didn’t answer my phone call. I know he was pissed. And he should be pissed. Rightfully so. And every player that’s ever left this team, I’ve talked to personally, myself. Everyone that’s in town, we talk to individually here in our office. I talk to them, a coordinator talks to them, the position coach talks to them. We have a way that we do it that I think is the right way to do it. And it wasn’t exercised in that way. And I understand why he’s bothered. He was the all-time leading running back here, he felt like he was disrespected. He was wronged and because I was part of it, then it’s on me.
When we traded for Sam (Bradford) and for Nick (Foles) with Jeff Fisher, it was a great situation. Jeff and me were both on the phone together and said ‘OK, when are you going to make the call? Let’s call now. When we’re done our phone calls with our players, let’s text each other.’ He texted me he was done, I texted him I was done. I then called Sam, he then called Nick. That’s the way it should have been done. It wasn’t handled the right way with LeSean and I understand why he’s not happy about it. And he should not be happy about it. That’s why I would apologize for that. Because it didn’t happen the right way. But from our standpoint, we thought the trade wasn’t going to be initiated until the next morning so there was no phone call to be made until the league approves the trade.”
Kelly ended with this.
I understand where he’s coming from and if he doesn’t want to shake my hand, I understand that. But I will always shake his hand. If he extends his hand, I will always shake his hand. I have great respect for him as a player. Everything we asked him to do, he did. He was an outstanding football player for two years here. The only reason he wasn’t here was because the money was too high. He’s still a really good football player. I don’t know if I can say anything else besides that, but I do have great respect for LeSean. I think he’s a heck of a football player. And I think we’re going to have our hands full when we play him this week.”
Bravo, Chip! I wasn’t expecting an honest answer like that.
McCoy and the Bills are fired up for Sunday, so the Birds will need to have their heads in the game.
Bills.
Eagles.
In Philly.
This Sunday."Y'all know who's next."https://t.co/VcMruQe36s
— Buffalo Bills (@BuffaloBills) December 11, 2015
The time for talking is over.