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  • Interesting what Gowton said about RBs

    6 - It’s going to be interesting how the running back situation plays out
    I have no idea how the Eagles’ running back situation is going to play out.

    LeGarrette Blount, who figures to be the starter, hasn’t looked very effective. He has 17 rushing yards on nine carries through two games. I know a lot of people will complain about Doug Pederson running him to the outside, but guess what? Blount isn’t actually a bad outside runner, statistically speaking. The 250-pound rusher ranks 10th out of 59 running backs on runs to the outside over the last three years.

    I’m not too worried about Blount. It’s not like he’s looked great but I think he’ll be fine if/when the offensive line gets it together.

    Outside of Darren Sproles, an obvious lock, who else fits into the running back picture? Wendell Smallwood might be the team’s best runner but he hasn’t been able to stay healthy. Byron Marshall looked decent but he was playing against third and fourth stringers.

    Corey Clement could be pushing for a roster spot. He rushed for 34 yards (4.3 average) and a touchdown on Thursday evening. I don’t have anything against Clement, but I’m wary of preseason running back performances based on recent Eagles history. Remember when everyone thought Henry Josey and Raheem Mostert were studs? They didn’t amount to anything in the NFL.

    A number of people have pointed out Clement was more productive than those players in college. That’s certainly true in the case of Mostert, but Josey’s college stats aren’t all that far off from Clement. And Josey only played three seasons while Clement played four.

    We’ll see what Clement can do in the final two preseason games. I still think he’s a practice squad guy, unless …

    … unless the Eagles stash Donnel Pumphrey away on the injured reserve list this season. I’m trying not to overreact to two two preseason games, but I haven’t been very encouraged by what I’ve seen out of Pump. He doesn’t have the kind of explosion one would expect from a smaller player. I don’t think he looks ready to contribute right away. Even Dave Spadaro suggested Clement is ahead of Pumphrey.

    So maybe the Eagles will try to roll with Blount, Sproles, Smallwood, and Clement. Or maybe Pumphrey will look better when the Eagles put together an actual game-plan for him. For now, I’m skeptical of what the Eagles have at running back. It really stinks that this year was a great running back draft class and they didn’t come away with a full-time answer at the position.

    __________________________________________________ ______

    I didn't see the game but I think that I know what Gowton was talking about with Pumphrey. The kid really doesn't have the "explosion" that you would expect from a scat back and frankly I'm surprised that they drafted him. It's not like he's another McAllister (KC) who could win a couple of games for you running wild in the secondary. Very disappointed so far.
    "Hey Giants, who's your Daddy?"

  • #2
    I'm not sure anyone should be sold on Blount being the RB. I think he is what he is. Power runner. Maybe get the tough 3rd down yds. Maybe get it in from the 3 yard line. But I don't see him breaking a 65 yard TD run.
    Wait until next year is a terrible philosophy
    Hope is not a strategy
    RIP

    Comment


    • #3
      I think we have to acknowledge what he is. Last year was the first time since he was a rookie that he had more than 200 carries in a season and it is the second time in his career he has played in 16 games. Of his 300 carries last year, he got a first down of TD on 28% of those attempts. He is a hammer. Nothing more and nothing less.

      I do not think he is a starter, but more of a short yardage specialist. They will kept 3 last year with 6 WR. I think they have to keep 4 this year, but at what expense. Who are the 4? Right now I am keeping Clements over Blount. We are building for the future and Blount will not be here next year and may have been used up in NE. Pumphrey seems like the PS or we need him to be IR'd Does Marshall stick or are we seeing enough to let Smallwood take his injured self home?

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      • #4
        I really like Marshall.
        Canada's #1 Eagles fan.

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        • #5
          I think that you guys will really like Blount when you see what he brings to the table once the season gets underway. He's not just a hammer and fans up here weren't happy to see him go. If he were running in the 4th quarter with some room like Marshall had he would have really done some damage.
          "Hey Giants, who's your Daddy?"

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          • #6
            I watched Clement some in college, I think he is the best back on the roster not named Blount. IMO Blount needs to be a workhorse. 3-4 carries a game isn't going to get him in any type of rhythm.
            We're looking for people that are fundamentally different,” vice president of player personnel Andy Weidl said Saturday night. “The love and passion for football, it's non-negotiable. They're caring, their character, they do the right thing persistently, and they have a relentless playing style that you can see on tape. The motor, it burns hot. You see them finishing plays. They have a team-first mentality. They're selfless individuals.

            Comment


            • #7
              This sums things up pretty good

              https://www.bleedinggreennation.com/...l-oregon-stats
              "Hey Giants, who's your Daddy?"

              Comment


              • #8
                I'm not to concerned about any of this stuff after two preseason games. If you are a starter on a good team, and you feel that you have the potential to make the playoffs, you're simply not going to give the maximum effort in a meaningless game in August. And, that difference in intensity is huge. People are so concerned, and they can't run the ball, and Blount is only getting a yard a carry and yada yada.

                Unless you are trying to make the roster, outside of having an opportunity to bang on someone who doesn't wear the same uniform, the preseason doesn't mean shit. Absolutely nothing. It amazes me how much stock people attempt to put in it.

                Comment


                • #9
                  CSN Philly puts out a grade for the team after game. Really ?

                  Instant Analysis: Grading the Eagles' preseason win over Bills

                  By Andrew Kulp | The700Level August 17, 2017 10:35 PM


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                  The Eagles edged the Bills, 20-16, Thursday night after a see-saw fourth quarter, but everybody knows the final score in a preseason game is irrelevant (see Instant Replay).
                  August football is all about evaluations, and we have plenty of instant analysis from the second exhibition game.
                  Quarterbacks
                  Carson Wentz did not look sharp in his first few series. Two of his first three pass attempts were uncatchable, sailing way over the receiver's head and out of bounds. Wentz was eventually able to get into a rhythm, completing five of his final six passes for 45 yards. Matt McGloin picked up where he left off last week, mixing the occasional nice throw with a bunch that was nowhere near the intended target. An easy interception into double coverage was the cherry on top.
                  Grade: C
                  Running backs
                  Eagles ball carriers once again found little room to run, which would partially explain how LeGarrette Blount managed to carry five times for eight yards. Blount's fumble on one of his two receptions was unforgivable, though. Undrafted rookie Corey Clement outplayed his 30-year-old teammate, carrying it eight times for 34 yards — a solid 4.3 average — and one touchdown. Clement came up with an impressive blitz pickup as well. His performance salvaged the whole operation.
                  Grade: C
                  Wide receivers
                  Alshon Jeffery didn't get a ton of work, catching two passes for 24 yards, but was able to showcase his explosiveness on a 14-yard slant. There's a reason for all the hype. Nelson Agholor added two catches for 43 yards, and Marcus Johnson had the long reception of the game for 38 yards. Late in the game, rookie Shelton Gibson drew a 35-yard pass interference penalty. The unit seemed to make the most of its targets despite a lackluster performance from the rest of the offense.
                  Grade: B+
                  Tight ends
                  Brent Celek, Trey Burton and Billy Brown combined to make seven receptions for 59 yards. Perhaps more impressive still, the trio combined to clear the away the left side of the field on the Eagles' longest run of the game, a 24-yard scamper. Brown had 4 for 34 all by himself. Nothing spectacular, but much improved from the previous week.
                  Grade: B
                  Offensive line
                  Lane Johnson did not instill confidence in place of Jason Peters at left tackle, struggling mightily. Johnson surrendered one sack and was forced to commit a holding penalty to prevent another. The O-line as a whole was less than stellar, opening few holes on the ground and providing shaky protection. The second unit and third units were a bit better, paving the way for a still subpar 3.2 yards per carry, but limiting the Bills defense to one sack.
                  Grade: C-
                  Defensive line
                  The front four didn't post eye-popping numbers but harassed Bills signal callers throughout the contest. Fletcher Cox drove an offensive lineman right into the quarterback's lap on one play, forcing an incompletion, and Brandon Graham had a tackle for loss. On Derek Barnett watch, the rookie was quiet against Buffalo's first-team offense but finished with two quarterback hits and one sack. Second-year defensive end Alex McCalister has a strip sack as well. Steven Means was a man among boys down the stretch, getting tot he passer twice.
                  Grade: B+
                  Linebackers
                  Remember Mychal Kendricks? The sixth-year veteran was everywhere in this one. Kendricks sacked the quarterback, had a second tackle for a loss, and also came up with an interception. He looks motivated. Jordan Hicks also got to the quarterback once. Then the reserves cleaned up during extended garbage time. Joe Walker had five solo tackles, while Don Cherry had three and a forced fumble.
                  Grade: A
                  Defensive backs
                  The Ronald Darby trade is already paying dividends (see 10 observations). Darby recorded one interception and should've had another. The 48-yard return on the pick was fun, too. Rodney McLeod's pass deflection at the line of scrimmage led to another INT as well. Corey Graham was the third safety when Malcolm Jenkins moved into the slot and made five tackles, including one in the backfield. Jalen Mills was solid in coverage as well and finished with two tackles, while Rasul Douglas had a nice pass breakup. An encouraging showing all around, as Bills starting quarterback Tyrod Taylor was held to eight completions for 43 yards on 18 attempts (44.4 percent). Terrence Brooks finished with a team-high eight tackles.
                  Grade: A+
                  Special teams
                  Caleb Sturgis missed a field goal from 45 yards, but connected from distances of 24 and 48 and was perfect on extra points. Donnie Jones pinned two of three punts inside the opponents' 20-yard line. Rasul Douglas and Kamu Grugier-Hill each made a nice tackle. Penalties were an issue for the unit as a whole, and Donnel Pumphrey still hasn't shown much explosiveness in the return game, taking three punts a grand total of 11 yards.
                  Grade: C
                  Coaching
                  The decision to send Wentz back on the field for a fourth series after the offense failed to get a first down in its first three opportunities. Wentz's final drive didn't produce points, but the unit was able to move the ball and build some confidence before a turnover ended the night. As always, the Eagles aren't scheming or game-planning for specific opponents, so the usage of starters is the only aspect of coaching that's worth evaluating.
                  Grade: NA

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                  We're looking for people that are fundamentally different,” vice president of player personnel Andy Weidl said Saturday night. “The love and passion for football, it's non-negotiable. They're caring, their character, they do the right thing persistently, and they have a relentless playing style that you can see on tape. The motor, it burns hot. You see them finishing plays. They have a team-first mentality. They're selfless individuals.

                  Comment


                  • #10
                    Originally posted by Eaglebreath View Post
                    I'm not to concerned about any of this stuff after two preseason games. If you are a starter on a good team, and you feel that you have the potential to make the playoffs, you're simply not going to give the maximum effort in a meaningless game in August. And, that difference in intensity is huge. People are so concerned, and they can't run the ball, and Blount is only getting a yard a carry and yada yada.

                    Unless you are trying to make the roster, outside of having an opportunity to bang on someone who doesn't wear the same uniform, the preseason doesn't mean shit. Absolutely nothing. It amazes me how much stock people attempt to put in it.


                    I've said it before and I'll say it again, preseason does separate the men from the boys and shows you the guys that simply can't play in the NFL and that is obviously very valuable information. I know that they are glorified scrimmages but you need them.
                    "Hey Giants, who's your Daddy?"

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