Frank Gore A Curious Fit For Chip Kelly’s Offense

Over thirty years old and boasting a mountain of work in a decade-long NFL career: it isn’t exactly the kind of combination teams are looking for in a starting running back this offseason.

But apparently, the Philadelphia Eagles see enough left in Frank Gore’s tank, because the power back has signed a three-year deal in which $7.5 million in the first two years is guaranteed.

Gore joins a Philly team still undoubtedly reeling over the loss of LeSean McCoy in a trade with the Buffalo Bills for Kiko Alonso last week. At least for now, the former Forty Niner looks like the odd man out on a Chip Kelly offense built for speed, and it’s hard to picture exactly how the grizzled veteran will make the Eagles better in 2015.

At times last season, Kelly’s offense ran circles around its opponent with its high-tempo dynamic. The unit featured a reliable set of wide receivers with a penchant for getting open fast, a quarterback required to make no more than two reads per play, and a running back that could be relied on in just about any down and distance.

The Eagles’ 25-odd seconds between each offensive play was by far the fastest in the league, but with Gore expected to play starter, it’s hard to picture the veteran being anything other than completely gassed by week 8.

Gore is the type of player who is less concerned with getting around defenders as he is running through them. His downhill style served him well in San Francisco, but it isn’t what Philly has laid its foundations on since Kelly took the reigns.

With the NFL Draft fast approaching, most of the sexy predictions being tossed around involve the Eagles wheeling and dealing for the first overall pick. But the reality is far more pressing; Philly must pick up a quick, elusive back capable of contributing heavily in his rookie year and developing into a feature back upon Gore’s retirement.