Backup running backs will push McCoy
You'd think Pro Bowler LeSean McCoy has it easy now that he signed a lucrative five-year contract extension this offseason. Certainly that level of commitment is comforting, but his backups won't make it too easy for him.
Backup running backs will push McCoy
You'd think Pro Bowler LeSean McCoy has it easy now that he signed a lucrative five-year contract extension this offseason. Certainly that level of commitment is comforting, but his backups won't make it too easy for him.
Behind McCoy, who set a franchise record and led the NFL with 17 rushing and 20 total touchdowns, are second-year back Dion Lewis and a pair of potential sleepers in seventh-round pick Bryce Brown and undrafted free agent Chris Polk.
"I think the guys realize, "Hey, I'm in a fight,' so they better come out swinging," said running backs coach Ted Williams of his talented group.
A point of emphasis for the backs will be pass blocking. Unlike the past, this year the Eagles' backs will spend a designated amount of time daily working on proper footwork and techniques.
"That's a big focus of Ted's for any running back," said offensive coordinator Marty Mornhinweg. "If you can pass-block and you're talented, you can play. Very few backs are asked to do it college and very few do it well."
"We've made a real concerted effort to work on pass-blocking because we have so many kids," Williams said. "I'm excited because I can see they know what to do when it comes to the point of attack, pocket protection, and pocket development."
Blocking aside, Williams is intrigued by Brown, whose meandering path to the Eagles included stops at the University of Tennessee and Kansas State, where he played just 13 games combined and rushed for 476 yards and 3 touchdowns on 104 carries. In 2008, he was the number one recruit in the country according to some services.
"You can see he has ability," Williams said. "He's got speed and he has a whole other gear he hasn't found yet. It's my job to coach it out of him, to teach him how to take it to that next level."
And all the talk is about Vick not getting hurt? I shutter to think what would happen if Shady went down.— ThatsAViolation- Since Bryce Brown's biggest issue at the collegiate level allegedly was his lack of desire and heart, it will be interesting to see what the Eagles get out of him....
- Really? 7th rounders pushing McCoy... where??— outta work
- Don't underestimate Polk. Tough kid, may only last a few years because of bad shoulder but a polished runner. We'll see if any of them can block. Ted can coach. Time will tell.— oldBird
Truly like this kid Bryce Brown an unproven talent ran 4.37 forty yard dash... at 06'01 and 220 lbs. Brown says he is ready and committed for this opportunity. Another kid that shined today his first Eagle practice a player that did not have O.T.A's was Cliff Harris who snagged two interceptions in practice today. I have said Harris is the real deal, a play-maker... Hell of a start to his Training Camp hopes he keep's it up.- Lean at backup RB and at backup QB.— watsonmr
- "ABSOLUTELY"— flyers11
- the backups will not push mccoy— Zero
- There is a reason why these guys were available in the rounds they were.. I'm okay with the use of 7th rounders on these guys, but I do worry of Shady goes down as we did not go with a proven back up
- Do we have a fullback?— shootfromthehip
- Brye Brown quit football because he was burnt out. He had been playing since he was seven years old. When he came out of high school he was better than Trent Richardson. To run a 4.37 40 yard dash after being awy from football for two years. The Eagles got a steal.— gwilli1234
- Maybe we can trade some of the Phils to the Eagles for cash considerations. They sure as heck can't hit, maybe they can block!— Dr. D.
- There is no telling if they can play in the NFL or not, yet. I look forward to seeing them in the exhibition games.— Paul SoTX
- Some of the post on here are the same people that were worried when Brian Westbrook was in his heyday. Running backs are a quarter a dozen. If you have a decent offensive line a team can run the ball. Albeit some are better then others. Other then Vick there are no legitimate concerns about injuries. That being said I still hope for all to remain healthy.— cth
- That's a funny headline. If any of the backs can pass protect, catch the ball, and run pretty well, the coaches might trust them enough to give them some reps in the real season. McCoy's only competition is injuries.— armchairGM
