THE BIG QUEASY
MAGIC ACT FOR BIRDS, FOLES COMES TO END IN NEW ORLEANS
NEW ORLEANS >> Eagles center Jason Kelce was uncomfortable talking about himself Sunday, just as he was when he joined the Eagles as a sixth-round draft pick out of Cincinnati in 2011.
Like any good pivot, Kelce realized the horde of media surrounding him wasn’t going to go away without asking the money question. Or rather, the retirement question.
A report by Al Thompson of Footballstories.com cited sources saying the 31-yearold veteran likely would retire after the playoffs. And it ended for Kelce and the Eagles in a 20-14 loss to the Saints.
So, after pretending he hadn’t heard about the retirement thing, he switched into serious mode. He has and will again consider retiring.
“I’ve thought about it the last two or three years,” Kelce said. “This is something that as you get older you contemplate things like this. This isn’t something I’ve really thought about seriously throughout this season but this is things I’ve talked to my family about and people close to me about for really the last three or four years. I feel like I’m on a season by season basis.”
Kelce has two years and almost $14 left on his contract, although the money isn’t guaranteed.
Kelce has played in 73 consecutive regular season games, the second-longest streak in the game, and played at a high rate. The veteran was voted firstteam All-Pro.
The loss of Kelce would be devastating. Probably more impactful than moving on from 36-year-old left tackle Jason Peters, which could happen.
“I’ve never seen anybody as talented at the center position as Jason Kelce,” Lane Johnson said. “He can almost outrun a linebacker and get to the second level. I’ve never seen anybody in this league do that. I don’t think his athleticism will ever be matched as far as running around.
“And he’s a hell of a leader, too. One of the smartest players as far as football IQ I’ve ever seen. He’s been running this offense for a long time. He’s a guy that probably cares more for football probably than anybody I’ve ever seen.”
Kelce wanted to make it clear he hasn’t reached a decision about his future. That is forthcoming.
“The reality is that it’s a hard game physically and the older you get, the competitor in you and the player in you obviously want to keep playing and keep going,” Kelce said. “And through the rigors of the season my family and friends certainly are taking the brunt of all the positives and negatives going on. But I can’t really stress that I have not made a decision to retire at all.”
Kelce wouldn’t have trouble finding another job. Popular in automobile commercials, eloquent and at times irreverent as a speaker, he’s already in demand.
“He can do a lot of things,” Johnson said. “He has a colorful personality, too. It just depends on what he wants to do, what makes him happy. A lot of people who have a lot of money are miserable.”
•••
The Eagles lost Pro Bowl right guard Brandon Brooks in the first quarter. He was carted off and later tweeted that he tore an Achilles’ tendon.
Brooks’ leg buckled when he got twisted up trying to fend off a pass rush. Veteran Stefen Wisniewski took over for Brooks, who also relays the center’s signals to the quarterback in silent snap mode.
“It sucks,” Johnson said. “I know it’s the ankle but I don’t know the severity of it. It sucks.” •••
Not long after Brooks was gone, Eagles defensive tackle Fletcher Cox exited with an ankle injury.
Cox returned after going into the tunnel to get for Xrays.
Defensive end Chris Long exited with a lower back injury in the first quarter but returned to action.
Cornerback Rasul Douglas (ankle) was carted off after the officials ruled Brandon Graham recovered a Drew Brees fumble but fumbled it away. Eventually it was ruled Graham didn’t have possession.
Douglas returned in the third quarter.
Graham was in the medical tent, as well, although he returned.
Guard Isaac Seumalo’s right ankle needed attention.
And Michael Bennett played through a cramp in his right leg.
•••
The Eagles were first in red zone defense this past season, allowing just a 44.6 percent conversion rate.
The Saints were 2-for-2 in the red zone, with one TD in each half. They were fourth in red zone offense, converting at a 69.6 percent clip, during the season.