Sometimes coaches go through unusual lengths to make their team better. Philadelphia Eagles head coach Chip Kelly is using a technique he implemented at the University of Oregon in his first pro camp. The Eagles have three ballboys with “flyswatter” like black nets on their shoulders to imitate tall defensive linemen with outstretched arms.
“The first day Chip put them out there I complained about it, complained about it, and he said, ‘The more you complain, the more I’m going to keep it out here,’ ” quarterback Michael Vick said, via Jeff McLane of the Philadelphia Inquirer. “I’ve got to deal with it and it’s been helping me. And now I don’t even pay attention to it.”
Kelly has his reasoning.
“There are going to be some linemen there and if you continue to get in the habit of dropping the ball over there, it’s not going to happen in a game,” Kelly said of blocked passes.
Vick has come around to the idea and understands that it could benefit him in the long-term.
“I think as far as sliding, finding lanes, up and over with the throws, it’s going to help me,” Vick said. “At some point, it’s going to pay dividends for me. It’s embarrassing when you do it in practice because it’s not a moving target.”