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Cornerback Cary Williams did not hide his displeasure with the Eagles' practice habits after their win on Sunday

(Howard Smith-USA TODAY Sports)

PHILADELPHIA -- The important thing on Sunday was that the Eagles won again, beating the Washington Redskins 37-34 to move to 3-0.

After the game, however, a potentially big issue could have reared its ugly head.

Speaking to reporters, cornerback Cary Williams questioned head coach Chip Kelly and his practice methods, saying they are having a negative impact on the team.

"I'm saying [practicing every day] impacted a lot of people," Williams said. "A lot of people, but I'm just the only one man enough to get up here and say anything about it, talk to ya'll as a man and discuss and issue that, obviously, in my opinion, is an issue in our starts [to games]."

Williams voicing his concern publicly about Kelly and his practice style is probably not the way Kelly would have wanted the cornerback to handle it. But it's out there, and from the way the cornerback phrased it, it sounds like it is a bigger issue than just one man's opinion.

When Williams said that he was the "only one man enough" to say something, that certainly implies he is not the only one upset about the fast-paced practices Kelly is running -- and it sounds like players want to say something, but are too afraid.

"When you don't have legs, period, it shows up in the game," Williams said. "Period. Throughout the game. Period."

That Williams raises the issue on the day the Eagles allowed 427 passing yards likely isn't great timing, as it could come across as an excuse for a poor performance.

Or maybe that exactly why he picked Sunday.

The Eagles, coming off of their win over the Indianapolis Colts last Monday, were back on the field Tuesday -- something that hardly any teams in the NFL do. Although it was just a walk-through, and Williams was limited in two practices this past week, it seems like the extra work didn't go over well with the players.

"I'm going to be honest with you, it didn't matter if we had a short week or a long week, it's been the same," Williams said. "It's tough enough to go out there and play hard for 60 minutes, let alone having to fight through the week."

If Williams is correct, and players are upset with the way practices are being conducted, that is a potentially big problem. The Eagles are winning now, and by all accounts, the players love playing for Kelly.

An underlying current of dissatisfaction, however, could create schisms in the locker room between players loyal to Kelly and those who don't like his methods, and divisions between the coach and dissenting players.

It will also be interesting to see how Kelly handles this attack on his coaching style. He could discipline Williams. But Williams is the team's best outside cornerback and a locker-room leader, and Kelly might need (and want) to show players that he is listening to their concerns.

Whatever happens, one thing thing is clear, at least according to Williams.



"Something needs to change," Williams said, "for us to be more productive."

Eliot Shorr-Parks may be reached at eshorrpa@nj.com. Follow him on Twitter @EliotShorrParks. Find NJ.com Sports on Facebook.