“For some players yeah…I could personally talk to him. But it just seemed kind of like a (Bill) Belichick thing…like sometimes in his press conferences…he’s unapproachable. Maybe some guys felt that way. Like I said, I think we’re more comfortable talking to our position coaches hoping that would trickle down (to Kelly) to make a positive effect.” –Eagles tackle Lane Johnson on how some players thought of Chip Kelly as unapproachable. Photo by TJ Engler /contrastphotography.com

According to it’s Wikipedia page, the phrase “What we’ve got here is failure to communicate” is a quotation from the 1967 film “Cool Hand Luke,” spoken in the movie first by Strother Martin (as the Captain, a prison warden) and later, abridged, by Paul Newman (as Luke, a stubborn prisoner).

A reenactment of that scene could have what the final meeting was like between Eagles owner Jeffrey Lurie and head coach Chip Kelly.

The meeting ended with Kelly being fired with one week left in his third season (of five under contract) running the Birds.

Most fans and media were caught completely off guard when a press release was sent out on Tuesday, December 29, 2015 at 7:12 pm.

Offensive lineman Matt Tobin thought the text he got from teammate Allen Barbre was a prank.

“I didn’t believe it, I thought he was messing with me, we’re pretty good friends,” said Tobin, who was signed by Kelly and then Player Personnel Director Howie Roseman as a free agent in 2013. “I told my wife to look it up.”

At his post-firing press conference, Lurie spoke several times about the value of a coach’s ability to communicate with players and the team in general.

Barbre, who was also brought in by Kelly and Roseman as a free agent in 2013, talked about the impact the announcement had on him and his teammates.

“I think for the most part it’s tough on everybody,” Barbre said. “But I think you have to come out and take care of business, take care of your part and go play football. We’re here playing for each other, that’s what we’re here for.”

Lurie said he decided to relieve Kelly of his duties with a week left in the season so he could get a chance to talk to his players about the reasons he went in a different direction.

According to Barbre the meeting with Lurie happened Wednesday morning before practice. He said it lasted about five minutes.

“He wanted to let us know, and be on the same page as us, as far as the reasons why (he fired Kelly),” Barbre said. “So whenever you leave you’re not just wondering what’s going on, why they fired him or what they did. He let us know and he communicated with us.”

Barbre said he was impressed with how Lurie handled a difficult move.

“It’s a first class act. You look at a guy like that who respects us enough to talk to us about it. A lot of places probably don’t really have any respect or care enough to let us know, or keep us in the loop about it.” — Eagles offensive lineman Allen Barbre on owner Jeffrey Lurie making the coaching change a week before the end of the season so he could talk to players himself. Photo by contrastphotography.com

“It’s a first class act,” Barbre said. “You look at a guy like that who respects us enough to talk to us about it. A lot of places probably don’t really have any respect or care enough to let us know, or keep us in the loop about it.”

Offensive tackle Lane Johnson, who was taken with the fourth overall pick of the 2013 draft, agreed it was a smart move by the owner to communicate himself with the team over his decision.

“It’s smart of him,” Johnson said. “This week we’ll have time to talk to him. Because after we get back from the game, Monday, we’ll have the exit meetings and people are trying to get out of here as soon as possible. So this week will be huge from a communication basis to talk to him”

Tobin also said it was a smart move by Lurie, not just for the communication aspect of it, but it also gave both parties a head start to get on with the next phase of their football lives.

“It was, I agree,” Tobin said. “He said there were three reasons (to fire Kelly with a week to go in season): One was to talk to us. One was to let Chip have a head start. The third was to get a head start on getting the new coach. I thought there was pretty good logic behind it.“

Players were asked what they interpreted what Lurie meant when he said he wanted his new coach to open up his heart to his team.

“I think he just wants a coach that’s passionate about it,” Barbre said. “And cares about his team. I don’t think Chip wasn’t necessarily passionate or cared about his team, maybe [Lurie] wants people to be more open about it. I’m not really sure what went on, what went on behind closed doors.”

Johnson was asked what he would like to see in the new coach.

“I just want to see a guy really cares about his players,” Johnson said. “If we have any suggestions…and is willing to communicate, not just set in stone his way and just be willing to work together in one direction.”

Johnson was asked if Lurie spoke to him or the team before he released Kelly.

“No. He just came into the team meeting today and said he was going to talk to players,” Johnson said. “We’re just waiting today or later in the week for him to talk to us (individually).”

Johnson was asked what was the problem players had talking to Kelly one-on-one.

“I think everyone just talked to their position coaches and hoped it would trickle or some kind of chain reaction (to Kelly) and ultimately that doesn’t work. Those guys are employed by him and Mr. Lurie. So maybe (there was) an intimidation factor a little bit, maybe (player thought) he was a hard guy to approach…people didn’t feel comfortable doing that, especially after some of the changes that were made. People feel most comfortable just talking to their position coaches, that’s who the see most every day.”

Was Kelly unapproachable?

“For some players yeah,” Johnson said. “I could personally talk to him. But it just seemed kind of like a (Bill) Belichick thing…like sometimes in his press conferences…he’s unapproachable sometimes. Maybe some guys felt that way. Like I said, I think we’re more comfortable talking to our position coaches hoping that would trickle down (to Kelly) to make a positive effect.”

Lurie came into the locker room before the game against New England, and other times as the season was slipping away. Johnson was asked if he could see Lurie losing faith in the coaching staff.

“I think yes definitely,” Johnson said. “Especially since they (Patriots) took a Super Bowl away from him, back on ’04 . I think he knew what was going on, what was going to happen and tried to make changes.”

There will no doubt be changes on the roster and coaching staff.

Tobin said he is looking forward to the challenge.

“With any new coaching staff it’s kind of a clean slate,” Tobin said. “You have to prove yourself. I’m kind of excited about that.”

Barbre said he thought the final game of the season was an audition for the players and assistant coaches, but said they still need each other for that last game.

“I think we just out here playing for our team,” Barbre said. “We’re out here playing for each other. It’s probably the last time we’ll all be together.”

Matt Tobin (64) said he is looking forward to proving his worth to the Eagles next head coach. Photo by Jesse Simmer / contrastphtography.com

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