The right RB to complement McCoy
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The right RB to complement McCoy
Sheil Kapadia, Philly.com
When the Eagles used their first-round pick on offensive lineman Danny Watkins, the obvious assumption was they wanted to improve protection for Michael Vick.
And that's true.
But a question we've yet to explore (at least here) is how Watkins will impact the Eagles' running game.
And specifically, how he will impact LeSean McCoy, who broke out in his second season, averaging 5.2 yards per carry (yes, this was before he became a Twitter Gangster).
McCoy accounted for seven runs of 20 yards or more, which ranked tied for 14th. But no player had more runs of 40 yards or more (five).
With Jerome Harrison likely headed for unrestricted free agency, the Eagles could be in the market for a backup running back, even though they drafted Dion Lewis out of Pittsburgh in April.
I went back and looked at McCoy's seven runs of 20+ yards, and several things stood out.
For starters, five of the seven were designed inside runs. In other words, they were not pitches to the outside where McCoy turned the corner and sped up the sideline, although there were exceptions (most notably, the 50-yarder against the Giants).
Five of the seven runs were also out of single-back formations. Only two of them came out of the I-formation with a fullback, Owen Schmitt. On one of the plays, Schmitt delivered a nice lead block and McCoy scampered 62 yards against the Colts. On a 40-yard gain against the Giants, McCoy didn't follow Schmitt's block, but found a different lane.
Looking ahead to 2011, the Eagles still have Schmitt on the roster, and they drafted Stanley Havili out of USC in the seventh round. Schmitt's the favorite to be the fullback, but he didn't play so well last year that he's a lock to win the spot.
The ESPN.com splits show McCoy was better running to the left than to the right. On carries to the left, he averaged 5.8 yards per carry; up the middle, that number was 5.1; and to the right, 4.4. The big runs followed a similar pattern. Todd Herremans delivered several outstanding blocks on the big runs, and Jason Peters had a hand in a few too. As we've discussed before, the Eagles' two best offensive linemen were on the left side.
But the guy that surprised me when re-watching the runs was Mike McGlynn. He was a key on several of the big runs. In Week 2 against the Lions, McGlynn and Nick Cole double-teamed a defensive tackle as McCoy picked up 46 yards. Against the 49ers, McGlynn's block created a cutback lane for a 29-yard run. I also noticed him on the 62-yard run against the Colts; a 40-yard run against the Giants; and the 56-yarder against Dallas.
With the selection of Watkins, McGlynn might be the odd man out on the Eagles' offensive line. Will he get a chance to compete at center with Jamaal Jackson? Or will he be the first backup off the bench at all three interior line positions? As we've seen in years past, depth along the line is critical. McGlynn would be a very valuable reserve for the Eagles in 2011. After next season, though, he's a free agent, and based on last year, he certainly looks capable of starting somewhere. Remember, he's only 26.
And finally, credit to McCoy - great vision and elusiveness throughout. Against the Colts, the run was designed to go outside, but he cut it up the middle and made two defenders miss.
The 50-yard run against the Giants came at a critical time with the Eagles trailing by one and less than five minutes left. And in the second Giants game, he broke a tackle at the line of scrimmage before picking up 20 yards.
If the Eagles do look for a running back to complement McCoy, it'll be interesting to see what kind of player they target. I don't think they need a big back. McCoy proved his toughness last year and converted 8 of 10 third-and-short opportunities.
I would guess the Eagles would be looking to add a back who has speed, can catch the ball and pick up the blitz. As a team, the Birds had 428 rushing attempts in 2010, which tied for 15th in the league. But 100 of those were courtesy of Michael Vick. Take his attempts away and the Eagles would have ranked second-to-last to the Cardinals in attempts.
In other words, McCoy's backup is not going to get a lot of work. The Eagles need someone who will be happy with only a handful of touches a game, but also someone who can step in and carry the load if McCoy gets injured. That's why I don't think Reggie Bush makes much sense, but then again, I'm not sure many running backs around the league really fit my description.
Once the lockout ends, we can take a look at the free agency list and see which ones might make sense.
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Sheil, Stanley Havili is not a traditional fullback. He's an excellent receiver and a good runner from the one back formation. Folks need to watch his game film on youtube. If Havili's shoulder is healed after the surgery he can spell McCoy in some one back formations. Watch out for that guy.— soulman386- In single back sets with Vick at QB and some of the fastest guys in the NFL at WR, I would expect small, quick defensive personnel – prime for O-Line maulers like McGlynn and Peterson and a low-gravity RB. Also, although I’d like to see the best center start, I like McGlynn as a lineman better than I like Jackson or Cole. I guess the hope is that Watkins starts, but he has a battle ahead, especially with the late start to training with the team.— T
- I think you have to sign Harrison back. He should be cheap and he can do many of the things Mccoy does. Havili is strictly a pass catcher at this point. I want to see him run tough on the interior and block. He does that and he's the starter at FB.— MrMiles1
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The Eagles need someone who will be happy with only a handful of touches a game, but also someone who can step in and carry the load if McCoy gets injured. That's why Reggie Bush DOES make sense to me. He'll get a few touches at RB, a few more at WR, a few more at KR and can step in for McCoy if he goes down.— cbecko - Uh, does it make sense to Reggie Bush? He considers himself a feature back, so why the hell would he come here?
- BWest?— tampaPhillyfan
- BWest?— tampaPhillyfan
- The injury to Leonard Weaver really sucks!— Geno D
- Jerome Harrison makes the most sense, but of course that's why we let him go. I was in noway sold on McGlynn at center, I thought he was another Hank Fraley, but he showed he has skill and at least the right to challenge for the starting spot— yourdaddy!
- Don't count out Harrison. Technically, he's still on the team, and could be back next season. With that said, I'm intrigued to see what Dion Lewis can do.
— phillychaos - Ricky Williams?— tampaPhillyfan
- I would bet the Eagles have the money to sign Harrison, and should if they think he's a good fit. He'll want more touches, and should get them, because we need to run more and keep McCoy fresh for the playoffs.
Dion Lewis has potential, as does Havili. You have to plan for the starter to go down, so either of these guys could be key if Harrison ends up starting for an injured McCoy.
Sheil, I'm surprised you're surprised about McGlynn. He has the attitude for a good run blocker. He had some good success in that area last season. Looks like a guy who'd like to run block nine plays out of ten, hit some people. I see him as first backup across the line, starting right guard if Watkins isn't ready, or possibly the starter at right tackle. He's got a ways to go to even equal Jackson in pass protection or calling the schemes.
— armchairGM - He's never played tackle in the NFL. A lot different than college. — beerflow
- I liked Harrison last year. Hope we retain him.. Dion Lewis the draft pick,,is awfully small to be the prime backup.. Maybe as a 3rd back he fits if he shows better than Eldra Buckley.. We need a solid verteran in that backup role..— bradco
- How about McGlynn to right tackle. Justice is just awful and I believe McGlynn played tackle at pitt. He seems tenacious enough.— section117
- See above. Tenacity has nothing to do with it, can he keep up with the LE's in the NFL today when all he's been dealing with is tackles? — beerflow
- Has something happened to Leonard Weaver? I know he was injured in the first game last year, but he is the big-contract starting full-back in 2011. Is that right?— orlandophilly
- Since I've criticized your fluff pieces in the past I feel the need to compliment you on this one. You're heading in the right direction.— bc3030
Comment removed.- RESIGN HARRISON and let Buckley and Lewis battle for a spot...johnnyu— john ullman
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