Latest news with #ChipKelly
Time of India
21 hours ago
- Sport
- Time of India
'He's got to do better': Tom Brady's Raiders leadership questioned as coaching decisions spark backlash
Tom Brady's leadership questioned as coaching decisions faces backlash (Image via Getty) The Las Vegas Raiders find themselves at the center of growing tension, not just on the field, but behind the scenes. With Tom Brady stepping deeper into team matters as a minority owner and Chip Kelly stepping in as offensive coordinator, questions about direction, control, and credibility are beginning to mount. Tom Brady and Chip Kelly's vision faces growing pains in Las Vegas Tom Brady, celebrated for his championship legacy, is now navigating unfamiliar territory in a leadership role beyond the locker room. But what seemed like a strategic power move bringing in Chip Kelly, a coach known for system-heavy football and unconventional methods may be causing friction instead of creating momentum. Chip Kelly's NFL return was already polarizing. His past is marked by clashes with veterans and an unwillingness to bend his approach. Now, early signs suggest those old patterns are resurfacing. Rookie running back Ashton Jeanty, one of the most explosive backs in college last season, has reportedly been asked to alter his stance before taking a single pro snap. The move has raised eyebrows across the league not just for its timing, but for what it says about the Raiders' evolving culture under Brady and Kelly. DeSean Jackson rips Chip Kelly as Raiders face identity crisis under Tom Brady's watch Former Eagles wideout DeSean Jackson, who had a rocky experience under Kelly in Philadelphia didn't hold back, 'Honestly, he's got to do better... by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Trading CFD dengan Teknologi dan Kecepatan Lebih Baik IC Markets Mendaftar Undo I don't like giving him light, but as a coach, you have to be better. This guy [Jeanty] was one of the best running backs in college football. He's had the production, still runs crazy, led the nation in yards. To come into the NFL and try to change his stance? I'm just not a fan of it. " While Kelly defended the adjustment as minor and necessary for NFL conditioning, critics argue it reflects a top-down culture shift where individuality may be stifled in favor of rigid control. Also read: Tom Brady teased into Olympic comeback by Kay Adams – The NFL GOAT eyes 2028 flag football gold Add to that Brady's ongoing role as a Fox Sports analyst where he's commented on coaches potentially working under him and the Raiders find themselves juggling influence, perception, and identity. As the team enters a new season, it's no longer just about winning games, it's about proving that power doesn't always corrupt, and that legends off the field can shape lasting legacies.
Yahoo
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
DeSean Jackson Has Stern Words for Raiders OC Chip Kelly
DeSean Jackson Has Stern Words for Raiders OC Chip Kelly originally appeared on Athlon Sports. Chip Kelly's reputation as a head coach has taken a hit since his days at Oregon. He had a 46-7 record in four years with the Ducks, which led to him getting hired as the head coach of the Philadelphia Eagles. Advertisement He quickly began to ruffle feathers there, but it was easy to accept because he led them to back-to-back 10-win seasons. However, the wheels quickly began to fall off, and he was fired during his third year after alienating many of his best players. One player he alienated was former star wide receiver DeSean Jackson. He had a chance to discuss Kelly going to the Raiders, and it sounds like there's still some bad blood there. Chip Kelly with DeSean Chenoy-Imagn Images He specifically had an issue with the recent revelation that the Raiders want rookie running back Ashton Jeanty to change his stance. 'Honestly, he's got to do better,' Jackson said of Kelly on a recent episode of "Up and Adams." 'I don't want to say his name because I don't like giving him light, but for his stance, I just feel like as a coach you have to do better because this guy has proven he was literally one of the best running backs in college football. He's had the production, he still runs crazy, he led college football in yards. ... Advertisement 'To come in the NFL and try to change the stance up, I'm just not a fan of it. At the end of the day, if he comes in and doesn't have the production or he doesn't do as well … then OK, let's talk about it. But to try to do it before you even play one game, I just don't like it.' Kelly recently came out and clarified that he had nothing to do with the push to change Jeanty's stance and that running backs coach Deland McCullough was the main voice behind that. Regardless, Jackson seemed very eager to take a dig at Kelly, so he mustn't have been a fan during their time together in Philadelphia. Related: Ashton Jeanty Details First Impression of Raiders QB Geno Smith: Exclusive Related: Geno Smith Explains Why He Wanted to Leave Seahawks for Raiders This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 2, 2025, where it first appeared.
New York Times
5 days ago
- Business
- New York Times
Raiders OTAs: Geno Smith, Chip Kelly building rapport; Malcolm Koonce returns
HENDERSON, Nev. — Geno Smith and the Las Vegas Raiders have each had three different offensive coordinators in the last three seasons. It's something both are used to — Smith from bouncing around to different teams and the Raiders from undergoing a series of regime changes — but it has made it difficult to find consistency on offense. Advertisement The Raiders are hopeful they've found their pairing for the foreseeable future in Smith and offensive coordinator Chip Kelly. They had a pre-existing relationship — Kelly attempted to recruit Smith to play at Oregon and coached his cousin Jeremiah Smith at Ohio State last season — but they've built a stronger rapport over the last few months. 'In many ways, it's a dream come true,' Smith said Thursday. 'I've revered coach Kelly, and I've always thought he's been an excellent coach throughout his career and a guy who I really wanted to play for, even back then when I was in high school. It didn't work out that way, but God works in mysterious ways, and here we are today in Las Vegas. Being with Chip, you get to know him as a man and know what he's about. He's an outstanding human being, but also has a great mind for football and understands how to motivate guys.' Outside of practices and meetings, Smith and Kelly have also spent plenty of time on the phone fine-tuning different aspects of the offense. 'Geno loves ball,' Kelly said Thursday. 'I really lean on him because of his wealth of experience. He's been through different coordinators in this league, and some really good ones. … I can pick his brain that way and then put together, 'What's the best thing for us going forward?'' 🔴 🎥 Live: Chip Kelly, Geno Smith, AJ Cole and Jakobi Meyers address the media from the Intermountain Health Performance Center. — Las Vegas Raiders (@Raiders) May 29, 2025 After failing to trade for Matthew Stafford earlier this offseason, the Raiders held meetings to chart their path forward at quarterback. Kelly was included alongside quarterbacks coach Greg Olson, coach Pete Carroll, general manager John Spytek and minority owner Tom Brady. Smith's arm talent, accuracy, mobility, leadership and intelligence all helped make him the consensus answer among the group. Advertisement The Raiders traded for Smith and signed him to a two-year extension. It's still early in the process, but things have gone smoothly as Smith and Kelly have acclimated to one another. 'Geno's literally like a second coach,' Kelly said. 'When you're in that room with him and Greg Olson, there's a lot of ideas going around. And then it's just a matter of corralling it. Because sometimes you can have too many ideas. Like, let's try to do a million things, and then you don't get good at one thing. But his football acumen is really off the charts, and it's impressive to be around him.' As for what the Raiders offense will look like, they want to remain amorphous to allow themselves to adjust to their opponent on any given week. There will be times when they go no-huddle and push the tempo, but they also want to be capable of slowing things down and churning the clock. The vision is for that same flexibility to apply to their personnel groupings. Kelly is best known for his success operating out of three-, four- and even five-wideout sets, but the Raiders also plan to use multi-tight end sets frequently. Kelly was a bit rigid in his past NFL stints, but the aim is to be different this time around. 'I think you always adapt to your personnel,' Kelly said. 'Part of the OTA process for us is getting to understand what the strengths of these players are. And then how do you play to their strengths?' Here are other observations from the Raiders' OTA practice Thursday. • Kelly also addressed the latest Raiders scandal: running back Ashton Jeanty changing his stance. The rookie typically stood up straight before the ball was snapped in college, but he has switched to a traditional stance with the Raiders. Jeanty said in an interview that Kelly suggested the change, but the coordinator said that isn't exactly accurate. Advertisement 'Deland McCullough — our running back coach — is in charge of stances, steps, alignments, assignments and techniques, so he talked to him about that,' Kelly said. ' … I haven't told anybody on this team to be in any stances because I don't coach the positions. But it's a bent-knee game. … In any sport you're playing, you've got to bend your knees. And if you've got to run a flat route on Fred Warner, you better be in a position to run because that dude can fly. … It literally is about three inches, so I really don't think it's that big of a difference. But (Jeanty's) awesome. And he's such a coachable guy that you can do a lot of things with him. He can play in the slot, he can play in the backfield, he can do a lot of different things. He's special.' • Defensive end Malcolm Koonce returned to practice Thursday. It's an important step in his recovery process from the torn ACL that caused him to miss all of last season. He was primarily limited to individual drills during practice, but that still represents notable progress. • Defensive tackle Christian Wilkins didn't practice Thursday as he continues to rehab from the Jones fracture he suffered last October. With only two weeks left in OTAs, it's unlikely he'll make an appearance before training camp. • Safety Jeremy Chinn and defensive tackle Adam Butler Jr. didn't practice Thursday due to undisclosed reasons. Carroll didn't speak to reporters Thursday, so we weren't able to ask about their absences. • Veteran safety Lonnie Johnson Jr. filled in for Chinn in his absence. The rest of the starting secondary remained unchanged — Isaiah Pola-Mao at free safety with Darien Porter and Eric Stokes at cornerback. Cornerback Jakorian Bennett is still working his way back into form after suffering a season-ending shoulder injury last year. He has largely been working with the second-team defense, but he could still compete for a starting role. • The Raiders don't have a great answer at nickelback. In response, they've used five-man fronts more often during practice thus far. Defensive tackles Zach Carter, Jonah Laulu and Leki Fotu got most of the first-team snaps. When the Raiders do bring a slot defender on the field, it's typically a safety. For example, there were times when Johnson lined up at nickelback and Thomas Harper replaced him at safety on Thursday. Advertisement • Veteran linebackers Elandon Roberts and Devin White have been fixtures thus far. It's hard to judge run defense without pads, but they've both been solid in pass coverage. • Rookie Caleb Rogers rotated in behind Alex Cappa to get some first-team snaps at right guard. Dylan Parham and Jordan Meredith continue to go back and forth at left guard. Given that all OTA practices are padless, this competition really won't intensify until training camp. 'It's the most difficult because there are no pads,' Kelly said. 'It's (more about), 'How are they picking up schemes? How are they working together? Are they making the right calls? Are they identifying the defense in the proper manner so we're on the right people?' … They're doing a good job from that standpoint, but you still can't get a full evaluation of 'em.' • The Raiders are moving their receivers around a lot. Tre Tucker and Dont'e Thornton have mostly been locked in on the outside, but Jakobi Meyers and Jack Bech have lined up frequently at both outside and slot receiver. Tight ends Brock Bowers and Michael Mayer are also capable of lining up at slot and outside receiver, so Kelly should be able to get creative with his alignments this season. • Meyers is entering the final season of his contract and is coming off the best season of his career with 87 catches for 1,027 yards and four touchdowns. It'd make sense for the Raiders to extend him, but he could test free agency next offseason. 'I want to be here for sure, but that's all I can really say on it right now,' Meyers said Thursday when asked about a potential extension. 'That's business between us and the top floor, so I'ma just hold that one down for now.'
USA Today
6 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Two Oregon Ducks defenders earn spots on Lott Trophy watch list ahead of 2025 season
Two Oregon Ducks defenders earn spots on Lott Trophy watch list ahead of 2025 season After the offensive years of Chip Kelly and Mark Helfrich, the Oregon Ducks have taken on a defensive identity over the past couple of seasons with Dan Lanning at the helm, and it has shown itself by way of defensive talent on the roster. Four of the six Ducks who were selected in the 2025 NFL draft were on the defensive side of the ball, and the number should only go up in the coming years, judging how well Oregon is recruiting on both the defensive line and in the secondary as of late. In 2025, the Ducks could have one of the best defenses in the Big Ten, led by a pair of studs who will likely be among the best in the nation at their position, and potentially first-round draft picks. Those two players are EDGE Matayo Uiagalelei and safety Dillon Thieneman, both of whom landed on the Lott Trophy watch list on Wednesday. The Lott IMPACT Trophy is a college football award given annually to a defensive player who demonstrates both outstanding performance on the field and exemplary character off the field. As a sophomore, Uiagaelei had a breakout season for the Ducks, leading the Big Ten with 10.5 sacks. This was the 10th-highest single-season sack total in Oregon history. Uiagalelei earned All-Big Ten honors, being named to the first team by the media and second team by the coaches. Meanwhile, Thieneman comes to Oregon as a transfer from Purdue after establishing himself as one of the best safeties in the nation during his first two years with the Boilermakers. In two seasons, Thieneman has racked up 210 tackles and six interceptions. He is widely regarded as one of the best defensive backs in the nation and has been garnering buzz as a potential first-round pick next season. Contact/Follow @Ducks_Wire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Oregon Ducks news, notes, and opinions.
New York Times
21-05-2025
- Sport
- New York Times
Raiders OTAs: Ashton Jeanty's unique stance, Christian Wilkins' health and more
HENDERSON, Nev. — During his final season at Boise State, running back Ashton Jeanty went viral for his unique backfield stance. Instead of standing hunched over with his hands on his thighs like most running backs, he would stand up straight before the snap. It served a purpose. Jeanty, who's only 5-foot-8, said it allowed him to get a better view of the defensive alignment. In OTAs with the Las Vegas Raiders, however, Jeanty has pivoted to using a more prototypical stance. It came at the suggestion of offensive coordinator Chip Kelly, who believes it gives him a stronger base to explode out of once the ball is snapped. 'He won for now,' Jeanty said last week in an interview with NFL Network's Kay Adams. 'I'm going to try and persuade him one day. I have to earn my stripes and make some plays first, but I don't think it's going to be the end (of my stance).' There isn't much going on at this time in the NFL calendar, so it sparked some outrage among Raiders fans on social media. They feared the switch would make Jeanty a less effective runner. As he spoke to reporters following practice Wednesday, Raiders coach Pete Carroll made it clear that he's heard the chatter. When asked about Jeanty's development, the coach playfully bent over in a stance of his own. 'I really like the stance that he is in.' Pete Carroll on Ashton Jeanty's RB stance. 🎥: @MikeDixon_VST | #RaiderNation — Vegas Sports Today (@VegasSportsTD) May 21, 2025 'I really like that stance he's in,' Carroll said with a smile. 'He's doing great. He really is. He's right on point with everything that we're doing. He's studying really hard. He's been really diligent about all aspects. There's nothing that he doesn't find important. He's going to work hard on his pass protection and his third-down work and see if he can contribute in that kind of role, as well. We're not holding anything back on him.' Advertisement Here are some more serious observations from Wednesday's practice, which was the second of 10 voluntary OTAs the Raiders will have this offseason. • Defensive tackle Christian Wilkins was at practice Wednesday, but he didn't run during the stretching period or participate in any drills as he continues to rehab from a Jones fracture in his left foot. Wilkins had surgery to repair the fracture last October, so it's been about seven months since the procedure. Wilkins was placed in a walking boot immediately following his surgery, but he'd gotten out of it by the end of the season. He was placed back in a walking boot earlier this offseason, but he was back out of it by the start of OTAs. With him not participating in individual or team drills, it would appear he still has a way to go in his rehab. 'This has been a difficult recovery,' Carroll said. 'He's done everything he needs to do. He's been here every day. He's here early working hard, but we're still working on it. He's not ready to get back out (there). We're in the midst of a long, challenging process here. Fortunately, there's a lot of time. … He's been onboard the whole time, but it has been challenging.' • The Raiders had most of their 90-man roster participating in practice. The most notable absence was defensive end Malcolm Koonce, who's still rehabbing from the torn ACL he suffered last September. 'It was difficult — physically, emotionally, mentally,' Koonce said. 'I should be good soon.' • Edge rusher Maxx Crosby missed several games last year due to a high ankle sprain and had tightrope surgery in the offseason, but he's healthy again. He was a full participant in practice and is ready to roll. 'I didn't have an offseason,' Crosby said. 'I've been here the whole time. It's been five months of hardcore training and rehabbing every single day. … 'Last year was definitely one of the hardest years of my life, in general. I had so many things going on. I was battling injuries and not being able to be myself. … That was the first time in my career I felt like it was Week 2, and I was on a popped tire. I'm doing everything in my power to try to go out and help my teammates, and at times, I felt like I just wasn't the same. … Being out there with my teammates and being able to fully be myself … it's the best feeling on the planet.' Advertisement • Offensive tackle Thayer Munford was another player who was present but didn't participate in drills on Wednesday. The nature of his injury has not been disclosed. • On the first play of 11-on-11 team drills, safety Jeremy Chinn jumped a route over the middle and picked off quarterback Geno Smith. A few plays later, receiver Dont'e Thornton beat Chinn on a corner route, and Smith found him in the end zone for a touchdown. While Smith got some payback early on, it ended up being a bumpy practice for the starting quarterback. In a period where the first-team offense faced off against the second-team defense, the backup defenders managed to hold their own. Smith tried to hit tight end Brock Bowers on a route into the flat, but linebacker Tommy Eichenberg stepped in front and intercepted the pass for what likely would've been a pick six. On another play against the second-team defense, Smith overthrew his target and was picked off in the back of the end zone by safety Chris Smith II. Carroll has been impressed by how quickly the back seven of his defense has developed a strong chemistry. 'That's what allows guys to think freely and be confident to make the plays and break on the ball and think 'I'm going to get this ball; I'm not just going to defend the play,'' Carroll said. 'Jeremy Chinn has really shown a lot already in leadership. Elandon Roberts has already given us confidence that can spread to the rest of the players. (Eric) Stokes has done a nice job, too; he's jumped right up at the corner spot. So, we're getting really good, positive things from guys that have been there before.' • Despite the offensive struggles Wednesday, Tre Tucker made the most impressive play of the day on either side of the ball. He beat his matchup on a deep route and got over the top of the safety to get open. Smith had to step backward to buy some extra time but managed to fling the pass downfield before the pressure got home. It was a little too far out in front of Tucker, but he laid out to make the catch and dragged both feet inbounds for a touchdown. Advertisement Tucker started most of last season, but his role could be in jeopardy after the Raiders drafted Thornton and second-rounder Jack Bech. If he keeps making plays like that, though, he'll solidify his place in the rotation. • Sixth-round pick Tommy Mellott got significant action at slot receiver. The rookie played quarterback in college but is being converted to receiver. On one rep, he made cornerback Darnay Holmes fall on an in-and-out route before hauling in a pass from Smith and turning upfield. • Rookie cornerback Darien Porter got a lot of reps with the first-team defense. He didn't make any splash plays, but he was able to consistently stick with his matchup for most of practice. • There's an ongoing competition at left guard. Left tackle Kolton Miller, center Jackson Powers-Johnson, right guard Alex Cappa and right tackle DJ Glaze seem to be locked into starting spots, but Dylan Parham and Jordan Meredith rotated at left guard throughout practice. • Carroll said the offense had the better practice on Monday, so Wednesday was a bit of revenge for the defense. Defensive coordinator Patrick Graham mixed up his coverages and caught Kelly and the offense off guard. Carroll views the back and forth as a positive, and the players feel the same way. 'That energy is contagious,' Crosby said. 'In football, you can have all the X's and O's and you can be the smartest guy on the planet, but when it really comes down to it and it's really nut-cutting time, it's truly (about) who's going to execute and who's willing to go further. … (We have) guys that are constantly pushing themselves to that level, not just offensively but defensively, too. … If you have a bunch of dawgs on the field that are willing to go to the farthest lengths to win, you're going to have a chance.'
