Eagles coach Chip Kelly: I don't hate the Cowboys
Philadelphia Eagles head coach Chip Kelly said he doesn't hate the Dallas Cowboys ahead of Sunday's game between the top teams in the NFC East, Les Bowen of the Philadelphia Daily News reports.
Kelly, who was criticized for allowing Oregon's Linfield College to use the team's practice facility recently, said he would have done the same for the Cowboys if they had requested it. He went on to say he enjoys competing against the best and made a comparison to last season's NBA Finals.
"I've never been a hate guy. I don't hate anybody we've ever played. I've got the utmost respect for 'em, and I hope when we have an opportunity to play any team we play, that they're at their full strength. That's the best part about it; that's when really true competitors go against it.
"I think it was never more evident (than in) the NBA Finals last year, when you watch the Spurs and the Heat, there's no technical fouls, there's no trash-talking, it's two unbelievable teams going out and playing against each other. They're going to play their tails off, they're going to compete their tails off, but that's what this is all about."
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The Eagles and Cowboys are tied for first in the NFC East at 9-4. Philadelphia won the first game between the teams on Thanksgiving, 33-10, and Kelly is 2-1 against Dallas during his first two seasons as Eagles coach.
After the matchup on Thanksgiving, Cowboys wide receiver Dez Bryant said the Eagles "were being kinda cheap."
The Eagles and Cowboys play Sunday at 8:30 p.m. ET.
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- Paul Palladino
