Chip Kelly gives insight into DeSean Jackson’s departure?
If Chip Kelly were to contract the ideal receiver, he’d probably have the body type of Riley Cooper — and definitely not that of DeSean Jackson.
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“The fact that [Cooper is] a 230-pound receiver, it’s tough to be really, truly physical and just keep him pinned on the line of scrimmage,” Kelly said, via CSN Philly. “This league is continuing to go that way. When you think two of the best corners – Patrick Peterson, a guy who just signed an outstanding contract, who I think is one of the tops in the league, [and] Richard Sherman, probably the two highest-paid guys, probably the two best guys –- are both big, physical corners, and they’re going to try to beat you up on the line of scrimmage.
“If you can’t get off the line of scrimmage, you’re done. I think that’s what we’re moving towards. I think the corners are getting bigger in this league and the wideouts are getting bigger. That’s one of Riley’s strengths, his ability to get off that stuff. No one is going to get off clean and just be running down the field with no one around him for four or five yards. When the ball is up, now you have to be able to go get it. Having a 6-4 guy that’s 230 pounds, it helps.”
John Gonzalez of CSN Philadelphia pointed out that there’s value in the unspoken. There’s an element of “he-who-must-not-be-named.” While he’s praising Riley Cooper, he’s knocking out DeSean Jackson. There’s is still no clear explanation as to why Jackson departed Philadelphia with such immediacy. These words point towards the conclusion that physically, he doesn’t fit Chip Kelly’s mold.
But if he’s not the ideal fit for Kelly, why was he so productive in Kelly’s offense? The idea that 5-foot-10, 180 pound Jackson is too small for Chip Kelly’s liking is overly simplistic. There’s more to it.