Brandon Boykin Traded

If you’re confused about the merging of Chip Kelly’s first name with Sam Hinkie’s last name, just check this Eagles Outsider’s post from two days ago entitled “Chip Hinkie.” In it, some similarities were explored in the way both GMs conduct their business – and trading Brandon Boykin is another example of Chip Hinkie Strikes Again.

Pardon my French – but yesterday’s trade was crap.

Brandon Boykin is going to the Pittsburgh Steelers for a conditional, future fifth-round pick. That is the epitome of a Sam Hinkie deal.

You know, where you trade a viable player for some future concept. You know, like drafting a Dario Saric who may – or may not – ever play for the Sixers.

Racist or Culturist?

After being informed of the trade, Brandon Boykin sent a text message to CSN Philly’s Derrick Gunn.

“In a text message to Comcast SportsNet’s Derrick Gunn, Boykin said Kelly is “uncomfortable around grown men of our culture.”

“He can’t relate and that makes him uncomfortable,” Boykin added in the text message.

“He likes total control of everything, and he don’t like to be uncomfortable. Players excel when you let them naturally be who they are, and in my experience that hasn’t been important to him, but you guys have heard this before me.” – Comcast SportsNet

Boykin was, of course, referring to statements made by LeSean McCoy after he was traded to the Buffalo Bills. In those comments, McCoy hinted that Chip Kelly was a racist.

Personally, I don’t think Chip Kelly’s a racist – but he certainly gives the distinct impression that he’s a “culturist.” And he definitely purges anyone and everyone who doesn’t fit his culture – whatever that may be.

Gone so far are these six players:

1. DeSean Jackson
2. LeSean McCoy
3. Nick Foles
4. Todd Herremans
5. Evan Mathis
6. Brandon Boykin

Three are black and three are white. So, to me, that pretty much dispels the notion that Chip’s a racist.

Jackson refused to learn the plays. McCoy liked to dance instead of hitting the hole. Both were buddies and knuckleheads – which, to me, enforces the notion that Chip’s a culturist.

Herremans and Mathis wanted more money than Chip felt they were worth. Actually, you could say that about Jackson and McCoy as well.

But trading Foles and Boykin make no sense to me. Both were on the last years of their rookie contracts. Both were straight-shooting team players with no off-the-field issues that I ever heard about. And both were talented players. I fail to see racism or culturism involved with these two players.

Common Element

So what’s the common element linking these six exiles?

For reasons unknown to me, Chip Kelly just plain didn’t like them.

Which makes me worry about another Eagle who can play – Mychal Kendricks.

It’s been obvious to me for quite a while that Chip doesn’t like Mychal Kendricks. Don’t know why – some say it’s because Kendricks’ metrics don’t match Chip’s ideal. But from where I’m sitting Chip just plain doesn’t like Mychal Kendricks.

Trade rumors have been swirling for months and I’m surprised that he’s still with the Birds.

In my opinion, the only thing keeping Kendricks an Eagle – for now – is that he’s an insurance policy in case DeMeco Ryans or Kiko Alonso get re-injured.

And I don’t get it. Kendricks can play – but so could the others.

Remember – you heard it here – from an official Eagles Outsider.

Barry Bowe is the author of:

• Born to Be Wild
• 1964 – The Year the Phillies Blew the Pennant
• 12 Best Eagles QBs
• Soon-to-be-published sexy, police procedural Caribbean Queen