Chip Kelly may just be setting the stage for his escape to USC.
The Philadelphia coach threw former Eagles running back and current assistant coach Duce Staley under the bus on Sunday for the team's problematic RB rotation that left Ryan Mathews on the bench in favor of the plodding DeMarco Murray during their 27-16 loss at Carolina, USA Today Sports' For the Win reported.
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Mathews had six carries for 97 yards against the Panthers; Murray finished with 65 yards on 18 carries. It was Mathews' 63-yard touchdown run in the third quarter that gave Philadelphia life -- cutting the Eagles' deficit to 21-13.
Mathews' reward was getting one more carry during the final 25 minutes.
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When asked why the Eagles didn't ride the hot hand in Mathews in the second half, Kelly might as well have turned around and asked Staley, "yeah, Duce, why didn't we?"
"Duce is running the rotation," Kelly said, according to philly.com. "Some of it is we're calling pass plays. [Mathews] was in there for a few passes.
That comment didn't escape criticism.
"First of all, Chip, Duce Staley was putting up 1,000-yard seasons while you were the offensive line coach at New Hampshire so, you know, show a little respect," For the Win remarked. "Secondly, how skeezy is this? Kelly didn't just throw Staley under the bus, he kicked him a few times before the bus came by. Man up, Chip. It's your offense. You're running the show. Don't blame an underling when that offense fails. (Though, to be fair, Staley also failed if he is in charge of the rotation of backs. It's clear Ryan Mathews is better right now than DeMarco Murray.)
Mathews was a bit more diplomatic about the situation when he was asked about it.
"There's only one ball," Mathews said. "We've got three good running backs."
Kelly has denied having any contact with any USC officials, but that doesn't mean it won't happen after the season. The former Oregon coach may find hiring assistant coaches a little harder to do if he needlessly calls them out in the media.
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