Chip Kelly Shows Cleverness and Class in Playing LeGarrette Blount

The reputation of University of Oregon head football coach Chip Kelly has followed the same path as his Pasadena-bound ball club—from the dung heap to the parlor.

After last year's impressive 42-31 Holiday Bowl victory over Oklahoma State, expectations were high for Oregon's 2009 season. Quarterback Jeremiah Masoli, running back LeGarrette Blount, and Nick Aliotti's tough defense would all be coming back.

Then during the offseason, head coach Mike Bellotti moved up to Athletic Director and handed the coaching reins over to offensive coordinator Kelly.

In one of the ugliest demonstrations of Division I football in modern times, Kelly's first trial by fire proved to be a blowtorch in a fireworks factory. Boise State, in spite of playing poorly themselves, managed to lay a 19-8 poop patty on the pathetic Ducks.

But before the embarrassed Oregon squad could shower the stink off, the "Punch Heard 'Round the World" ensured the stench would linger much longer. In frustration, Blount had unleashed a nasty sucker punch on a taunting Bronco linebacker.

In the days following, a visibly nervous and shaken Kelly faced the cameras and microphones, trying to salvage the few remnants of dignity left.

Having to explain the dismal performance of his once-proud team would have been enough for any coach to bear. But having to answer for and suspend his star running back (in his senior season, no less) must have been beyond the pale.

Nevertheless, Kelly did what he had to do and quickly leveled a season-long suspension on Blount, leaving the door open for Blount to continue to practice with the team and redeem himself—off the field of play.

It must have seemed to Kelly as if he had been exiled from the warmth of the parlor to duties outside, behind the barn, tending the dung heap.

But the season had to continue, the schedule had to unfold, the games had to be played.

Mercifully, a four-game home stand awaited the battered Ducks. Each game brought victory along with steady improvement as the raw offensive line began to gel. Then two straight road wins instilled confidence and trust among the team and coaching staff.

In the midst of the inspiring resurgence, redshirt freshman LaMichael James had been steadily making a name for himself as Blount's replacement.

After a huge home win against USC, Kelly and his team were once again earning the respect of their fans and the national talking heads. Amazingly, Oregon had clawed its way back from disaster into actual contention for the BCS title game—if they could win out.

Coach Kelly then announced the Pac-10's assessment that Blount had satisfactorily demonstrated conduct worthy of a return to competition. Although Blount was cleared to play, Kelly remained non-committal as to when or if that might happen.

After all, James, Kenjon Barner, and Masoli had established a strong running game up to this point.

BCS title hopes were dashed the following weekend when a strong Stanford team held off the Ducks 51-42 at Palo Alto. Kelly refused to insert Blount.

Two more wins followed against the Arizona schools. In the overtime nail-biter against the Wildcats in Tucson, Kelly again danced with the ones who "brung" him, denying Blount a chance to play.

Last night, in the Oregon-Oregon State Civil War, Kelly showed his keen sense of timing, genius, and heart in finally allowing LeGarrette Blount to get some burn.

Make no mistake, the game itself was the centerpiece. With all that was on the line—Rose Bowl, Pac-10 Championship, bragging rights for the state of Oregon—it was an incredibly entertaining and well-played ball game.

Blount's part in it was just a subplot. However, let us examine some not so subtle indicators that by inserting Blount when he did, Kelly may have truly earned his way back into the parlor.

It came at a time when both teams were tiring. Blount's fresh legs and eagerness to prove himself were a welcome relief—especially to James, who was gasping for breath and beginning to limp on the sidelines. The team was visibly inspired by Blount's steam-rolling style.

It was a sign of respect to the Beavers. That Kelly chose this game, this opponent, to finally bring in the hammer spoke volumes as to Kelly's sense of history and the  urgent significance of winning.

It sent a message to the Buckeye state. Rather than utilize the element of surprise on Jan. 1, Kelly chose to remind—maybe even showcase—an even more potent running attack to Ohio State's vaunted defense.

And...it just might have kept alive a young man's dream and reinforced the positive message of redemption and lessons learned.

After the debacle in Boise, I was at the head of the line of those questioning Kelly's ability as a leader and tactician.

After last night, I'll not question those qualities again.