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Posted by: Chris Vannini on May 2, 2013
Chip Kelly is all about speed.
He's about using every second efficiently to get the most out of time. So maybe it's not a surprise he didn't exactly enjoy his first NFL Draft as a head coach.
Kelly joined WIP in Philadelphia and talked about his first draft experience.
"To be honest, it was awful because you make a pick and then it seems like six hours later you get to make another pick," he said. "So it doesn't happen like the game, it's a lot slower in terms of, you make a pick, you get excited about the guy you get and then you're not up for another three hours.
"The in-between part kills you, being on the clock and waiting towards the 'Do you get an opportunity to get this guy? He's still on the board.' When it gets closer to your pick it gets exciting, but the down time took a little bit to get used to."
Four of the Eagles' eight picks came from the Pac-12. Kelly admitted that his work in the conference at Oregon that it gave him more familiarity with some of those players.
"Not only did you game plan against them, but you know them a little bit better than some other people because you've interacted with them," he said. "I've been on media days and spent time with Matt Barkley. We tried to recruit Zach Ertz. Jordan Poyer is a local kid from Oregon, so not only do you know how fast they are and what they jump and how much they can lift, but you get a little bit better feel for what their personality is like and how that is going to fit and what we are trying to create here in the locker room."
As for his current team, Kelly expressed excitement for how returning players have bought in this offseason. He wouldn't give a win-loss prediction, but he did have a message for fans.
"So far, the chemistry and attitude has been great," he said. "Is that a prediction on how quick it can turn around? No. I don't think anyone can say that because you don't control injuries, you don't control when a person, who we put all our eggs in one basket and that person gets hurt, then what do we do? Do you lose four offensive linemen again? That is a really difficult thing to overcome. No one I think can do that.
"Based on what I've seen so far, I think that the team that we put on the field next September and October, I think people are going to be proud to say that they are Philadelphia Eagles."
You can listen to Kelly's interview by clicking here.
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Chris Vannini is the lead writer for CoachingSearch.com and has covered Michigan State sports for The State News, The Oakland Press and MLive.com. He writes a weekly column for the Detroit Free Press on behalf of SB Nation. Vannini lives in Big Ten country, so his foot speed is far from SEC caliber, but his pulse on coaches is hard to match. Be sure to follow @CoachingBuzz on twitter and send your feedback to chris@coachingsearch.com
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