Who Makes the Cut: Running Backs
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Who Makes the Cut: Running Backs
Zach Berman
The Eagles will encounter tough decisions when determining their 53-man roster. During the next two weeks, The Inquirer's Eagles beat writers will try our best to predict the players that stay and players that go. The NFL deadline for teams to trim rosters from 90 to 75 is Aug. 27. Final cuts are due by Aug. 31. Here’s the lineup:
Wed, Aug. 15: Offensive line
Thur., Aug. 16: Defensive tackles
Fri., Aug. 17: Cornerbacks
Mon., Aug. 20: Running backs
Tues., Aug. 21: Wide receivers / tight ends
Wed., Aug. 22: Linebackers
Thur., Aug. 23: Safeties
Fri., Aug. 24: Quarterbacks / Specialists
Mon., Aug. 27: Defensive ends
LIKELY TO KEEP: 3-4
WHO STAYS: LeSean McCoy, Dion Lewis, Bryce Brown, Emil Igwenagu
WHO GOES: Chris Polk, Stanley Havili
I’ll be honest – I don’t have much confidence in picking those final two spots, and Polk and Havili can easily make the team over Brown and Igwenagu. In fact, Polk and Havili would make more sense right now, based on what we've seen. But I’ll explain both picks, which at this point in the preseason, are still very fluid.
Before we get there, let’s start at the top where there is no dispute.
McCoy is a bona fide star at running back and will continue to be a central part of the Eagles’ offense. One area to watch this season is how he catches the ball out of the backfield. McCoy vowed to do better in this area in 2012, even though he recorded 48 catches last season. One advantage – catching the ball in the flat gets McCoy closer to the sideline and would, in theory, reduce the amount of hits he endures per touch.
There were questions entering training camp about whether Dion Lewis could be unseated as the No. 2 running back. He won’t be – it’s that simple. Lewis is further ahead than Brown and Polk, and has actually flashed throughout training camp. He only had 23 carries last season and is only 5-foot-8, but Lewis is strong for someone his size and demonstrates natural rushing skills. He suffered an injury in the first preseason game, so I’m curious to watch him on Monday to see how he looks.
Of course, those two are easy to predict. It’s the next two spots that are still very much wide open – the No. 3 running back, and the possible fullback.
Let’s start with the No. 3 running back. Bryce Brown was drafted in the seventh round with little college experience. Polk was a rookie free agent with an impressive college resume, but an injury history. Polk is clearly further along than Brown as a total runner, particularly when looking at how Polk blocks and catches out of the backfield. Brown, though, has a rare combination of speed and power. This is like the age-old baseball question – do you take the “toolsy” player, or the polished player?
As I said, the next three games will help determine the battle. But when discussing the No. 3/4 running back, it’s important to remember that’s often a developmental spot on the roster. The player can contribute if needed, but it’s usually someone who either helps on special teams or a team sees as someone who can contribute down the line. Polk would probably be the safer pick, and if the Eagles can make numbers work and don’t believe they can hide one on practice squad, then they could potentially keep four running backs.
However, it’s also important to factor in the fullback question. The Eagles used their fullback on just 15.8 percent of snaps last season, and some NFL teams use their fullback on even fewer snaps. It’s clearly a position that is losing some of its value around the league, although Andy Reid continues to say it will be used in the Eagles’ offense. If that’s the case, the options on the roster are Havili, a seventh-round pick last year who spent the season on practice squad; and Igwenagu, an intriguing fullback/tight end from UMass who offers versatility to the spot.
Havili has been playing with the first team and knows the system after spending last year with the Eagles. He also knows his role on special teams, which is absolutely vital for the fullback spot on the Eagles roster. But I keep going back to the fact that Igwenagu has experience at tight end. The way the fullback position is evolving, that ability to swing between fullback and tight end is a valuable tool on Sundays. Considering the two-tight end sets, it also helps keep the offense complete if Brent Celek or Clay Harbor were to suffer an injury during a game.
Again, this is fluid. But if the blocking is evaluated as near equal among the two, then a bigger body with experience at tight end could help when paring the roster to 53.
Of course, the wild card to watch out for is Polk, who has experience as a lead blocker when he played at Washington with Jake Locker. That would be a way to ensure both Brown and Polk are on the roster. The Eagles have had internal discussions about Polk as a lead blocker, but considering that it hasn’t happened yet, it would need to be a quick acclimation process if they went this route.
Making the pick today, I’m going with McCoy, Lewis, Brown and Igwenagu. Ask me again on the morning of Aug. 31, and half of those four could look different.
Also, with the practice squad, can't you pay a player the actual league minimum while on the practice squad? After clearing waivers, the player is a free agent. If you sign them to the practice squad at full salary then they will be less likely to take a FA offer especially if you pay them more than the league minimum.— UncleStosh- I don't see how we keep 4 RBs, as some have suggested, when none of them are major special teams players. I like Polk, but if it comes down to Tapp or Polk, Im tapping Polk out.— dragoon6
Philly needs a new Iggy now that Andre is gone. Igwenagu's FB/TE profile can be valuable.
Polk will find a spot, at least on the Eagles practice squad. Maybe the Titans will re-unite him with Locker as a backup to Johnson. Havili to his old USC coach in Seattle.
Bryce Brown will be a stud RB. He's going to be our Buckhalter for this season. Don't know what Deion Lewis is going to bring this season.— EmanuelP- Well I'm willing to drop a linebacker to keep special players where there is an obvious abundance of talent on our roster. I like both Polk and Brown and forget stashing either on the practice squad, they'll never see the light of day should both continue to perform in camp as they have. The other issue is Emil Igwenagu, 6'0 245lbs night mare, with soft hands and the ability to lay down crushing blocks. It's hard to make a case for a 6'0 Tight End, but this guy in this camp is wearing on you like a wet shirt. He doesn't stand out but it's difficult not to notice him and his efforts in drills that doesn't require the ball. I don't see this kid making it to the practice squad.
The Eagles FO, did an incredible job bringing in talent to this camp. Let's hope this continues.
— Dexter - Polk has some FB skills and has always had to block ( as that DB learned the hard way in practice that day)so I'd keep Brown and Polk and let both Igwenagu and Havili go. Both would probably go unclaimed , so you could always put them on the squad if you want to develop them. Brown and Polk are too good to waive, and the Eagles use the TE for most of those type of plays anyway.— drbob1
- keep Polk and trade Tapp for draft picks or a LB or S if we can. Doesn't seem like we need a FB and if anyone goes to practice squad of the group I would put Igwenaga there as he's less likely to get grabbed— connorjr
- I would keep all 4 RB's, or trade one or a daft pick. I like Iggy over Havili, bit I would like to see something out of one of them tonight, or in any game before making a final cut. There seems to be a wealth of talent on the roster, and a lot more at some positions than others. Maybe they can send off one or more out of Hansen, Dixon, and Tapp to a team that is loaded at safety and O-line?— Paul SoTX
- Keep Brown and Polk, period. Brown definitely a keeper, Polk can
lead block and both give us some legit RB depth in case of injuries.— Z-Force - I think cutting Chris Polk would be an epic mistake... Bryce Brown seems like a freak athlete, but the NFL is not about potential (at least the 53 man roster) it is about who is ready to go this season. At this point I think keeping Brown over Polk would be the Al Davis Raiders school of thought... do we keep people on raw physical stats or on who can play ball today.— Archie1
- I would trade all the players that other teams know we would have to cut to make the roster of 53 to the teams that don't understand how that works.— Bazalite
- no way polk gets cut..— zwarte piet
- Polk is a stud. I watched him weekly out here in Seattle the last few seasons. Birds need to keep him in the fold. Dude is an absolute gamer.
- Polk should be the FB. its just that simple.— Mr.Sinatra
- I can understand your reasoning, but the bottom line is that the team will keep the player who impresses the most in camp and pre-season. With that being said, after McCoy, the backs will be Lewis, Brown and Havili. Brown has had few explosive runs in the first game, while Polk's carries have not been very memorable. Polk is the safer choice, but Brown has the talent of a true lead back. Polk will be on the practice squad.
As far as FB is concerned, I admit it could be a toss up. Neither player made any plays in the first game. But once again, based on pure talent the nod has to go to Havili. once the eagles use him properly, fans will see that he can really catch the football and break for big runs much like Weaver used to. He's a good runner as well. McCoy will get the bulk of red-zone carries, but Havili can punch in goal line runs as well. He's got good speed for a FB.
— MrMiles1 - I have seen Polk punt, sack the QB, return kickoffs, and do the polka. He is a stud. We should be able to get at least a 3rd and a 5th round pick for him.— tommy_the_k
