Thursday night football is usually an affair for the football junkie, someone who can't live without a football fix. I was that way in my younger days, when it wasn't available. NFL Network has done a good job of getting intriguing games on the football junkie's night.
Tonight's matchup intrigues me. Kansas City and long time Eagle Coach Andy Reid invade Philadelphia to face his old charges under the rapid attack direction of Chip Kelly.
Fourteen years is a long time to be in charge of a football team in today's Win-or-Else world, and Andy Reid did that in Philadelphia. His new team, the struggling Chiefs, have shown early life winning their first two games, albeit against Jacksonville and Dallas, a weaker sister and an enigma. Alex Smith, recently displaced in San Francisco, has played well in their two wins, just as he did early last season getting the Niners started on their Super Bowl run. Then the injury bug bit.
Philadelphia has scored a lot of points in their first two games of Chip Kelly's reign. They dismantled a playoff team in Washington, who took three quarters to figure out what hit them, kind of like their owner, the worst in professional football. They lost to San Diego, another enigma, but caught on quicker. Michael Vick has thrived in a system that seems to suit his style of play, throwing for big numbers in both games.
I'm intrigued by the matchup: Old vs. New, I-formation vs. Run and Gun, Ribs vs. Cheesesteak.
When all else seems equal, go with the guy who's been there before. Andy Reid's experience and knowledge of personnel in Philadelphia could be a factor tonight. His ability to design a scheme for that personnel should make the difference. The counter is that he hasn't seen that personnel in this system, a true wild card in this situation. Still gotta like experience.
So...am I off base?
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