PHILADELPHIA -- With apologies to Howie Roseman, who was re-elevated to the top of the Eagles' personnel department in the aftermath of Chip Kelly's firing, linebacker Marcus Smith might be the happiest person in the NovaCare Complex about Tuesday's Earth-shattering news.
"I was ecstatic," Smith said following Wednesday's practice when asked what his initial reaction was to the news of Kelly's release. "I didn't expect it to happen right when it did. I didn't think it was going to happen. I know speculation, that everybody was was talking about it on ESPN. I was actually getting a massage when it happened. I really can't tell you how it happened. It just did."
Smith later clarified his comments to NJ Advance Media that he meant to express surprised, rather than excited by the news of his former head coach's firing.
The Eagles chose Smith in the first round of the 2014 draft, a decision that many have speculated helped spark the feud between Kelly and Roseman that led to the now former head coach wrangling total personnel control last offseason.
Almost needless to say, Smith has yet to live to first-round billing. In 12 games this season Smith has five tackles and 0.5 sacks.
Smith told reporters earlier this week that he did not see a gap between himself and starters Brandon Graham or Connor Barwin. From the sounds of it, and his extremely limited playing time in his first two seasons, the coaching staff disagrees.
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"Marcus continues to --" Eagles defensive coordinator Bill Davis said prior to Tuesday's practice. "All of the young guys have all the opportunities in practice and that's kind of how we determine how long and how much we'll play them. Marcus has got to continue to get better. There hasn't been a whole lot of production yet. We're still working and Marcus is working hard at it and hopefully we can get some production from him."
The Louisville product says that he's anxious to get an opportunity to play in front of the fresh sets of eyes that come along with a new coaching staff.
"It would give Anybody an opportunity to be able to impress a new coach when we do what we do," Smith said. "Whatever coach comes in, I just pray and hope I get the opportunity to do what I need to do and do the things that I want to do."
Matt Lombardo may be reached at MDLombardo@yahoo.com. Follow him on Twitter @MattLombardo975. Find NJ.com Eagles on Facebook.