michaelredd9 Posted August 20, 2017 Share Posted August 20, 2017 (edited) Pro Football Focus rates the Eagles offensive line as the best in the NFL going into this year. But their running back situation is maybe the most confusing to predict in the league. Ryan Mathews has been cut. LeGarrette Blount and Wendell Smallwood are reportedly at risk of getting cut. Darren Sproles is small to be a full-time running back. Donnel Pumphrey has looked good but is a rookie. Who is going to be the Eagles main running back or is it going to be a complete RBBC? Edited August 20, 2017 by michaelredd9 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zooty Posted August 20, 2017 Share Posted August 20, 2017 complete RBBC FWIW, I think they end up keeping 4 (Blount, Sproles, Pumphrey and Smallwood or Clement). Its messy for sure especially since Pumphrey and Sproles are basically the same so it is almost a watsed spot to keep both of them. Blount is the only one with experience pounding the ball. Smallwood is battling an UDFA. Outside of best ball formats, I wouldn't want to guess week to week 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
michaelredd9 Posted August 21, 2017 Author Share Posted August 21, 2017 16 hours ago, Zooty said: Blount is the only one with experience pounding the ball. Yeah, and Blount is only making $1.25 million this year and $400,000 of that is guaranteed. They can keep him at that price as a short-yardage specialist. But I won't waste a roster spot on him. Sproles might be the only Eagles running back worthy of a roster spot at this point. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
i_am_the_swammi Posted August 21, 2017 Share Posted August 21, 2017 I am venturing a guess that Clement is the guy. Bowling ball frame with speed....think Rawls. Blount has been exposed as not quick enough to get to the edge on many of the Eagle's blocking schemes, and just gets strung out for yardage losses as the play collapses. They will not spend $1.25M for him to get the ball 2-3 times per game. I think he does indeed get cut. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zooty Posted August 21, 2017 Share Posted August 21, 2017 12 minutes ago, i_am_the_swammi said: I am venturing a guess that Clement is the guy. Bowling ball frame with speed....think Rawls. Blount has been exposed as not quick enough to get to the edge on many of the Eagle's blocking schemes, and just gets strung out for yardage losses as the play collapses. They will not spend $1.25M for him to get the ball 2-3 times per game. I think he does indeed get cut. maybe but other than Sproles that leaves them with 2 or 3 guys with a combined 77 NFL carries (all by Smallwood) and who knows on pass-pro Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
drafter Posted August 21, 2017 Share Posted August 21, 2017 Rotoworld is reporting: "Philly Voice's Jimmy Kempski suggests Wendell Smallwood could win the Eagles' starting running back job. Kempski calls it a "surprise development," but perhaps one Smallwood has earned by being "the best back in camp by a significant margin." While Smallwood beating out LeGarrette Blount now looks like a serious possibility, regardless of who wins the "starting job," Darren Sproles is likely to lead the backfield in touches. Blount is now looking like a fantasy pick to avoid." 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
michaelredd9 Posted August 21, 2017 Author Share Posted August 21, 2017 Smallwood was drafted by the current regime so you have to assume they like what he brings to the table. Maybe they've just been trying to motivate him. The rest of the Eagles running backs seem like specialists, either big or small. I'll take a flyer on Mr Wendell after hearing this. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hawkeye21 Posted August 21, 2017 Share Posted August 21, 2017 I really hope Blount rarely plays or gets cut. Mostly because a guy in another forum is crazy high on him and thinks he'll outperform Gurley. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stethant Posted August 21, 2017 Share Posted August 21, 2017 Smallwood as a lead back wow. If they cut Blount the Pats will just pick him up cheap and screw the league yet again. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hawkeye21 Posted August 21, 2017 Share Posted August 21, 2017 Just now, stethant said: Smallwood as a lead back wow. If they cut Blount the Pats will just pick him up cheap and screw the league yet again. I think the Pats are just fine at RB right now. They don't have any room at that position. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
squirrelmastr21 Posted August 22, 2017 Share Posted August 22, 2017 I wouldn't sleep on Clement, hell of a player, was stuck behind Melvin Gordon for a while. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kdko Posted August 22, 2017 Share Posted August 22, 2017 Hmm, Smallwood or Clement..? I wish I hadn't lost my crystal ball. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StormChasers Posted August 25, 2017 Share Posted August 25, 2017 Clement looked very good tonight. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
i_am_the_swammi Posted August 25, 2017 Share Posted August 25, 2017 All the backs looked good last night....except Pumphrey. Talk is he gets cut, then if not signed by someone else, gets added back to the practice squad with the idea he replaces Sproles next season as the receiving threat. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
i_am_the_swammi Posted September 20, 2017 Share Posted September 20, 2017 (edited) A little more clarity this week: Sproles: won't get more than 10-12 total touches each week. Smallwood: hasn't won anybody's admiration except for Peterson's, and his is fading; just 4 carries last week. Blount: only was on the field this week for 6 plays, and received a total of 0 carries Clement: licking his chops while waiting his turn. Pumphrey: placed on IR I still think Clement gets his shot and takes over by Week 6, perhaps much sooner. Edited September 20, 2017 by i_am_the_swammi Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevegrab Posted September 20, 2017 Share Posted September 20, 2017 Hmm do I go for Clement now (free agent) or wait another week or two and risk not getting him on waivers. I haven't made a WW move yet this season, was going to drop Alfred Morris to upgrade RB but he seems to be the true backup for DAL now, so I guess I cut some WR depth to make room if I pull the trigger. See a thing in my fantasy site info saying Clement was only on the field for one of the 72 snaps, 50-Sproles, 14-Smallwood, 6-Blount. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Finn5033 Posted September 21, 2017 Share Posted September 21, 2017 I don't understand why teams do this. Pick a guy and give him a chance. how is anyone supposed to find a rhythm with that carousel Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Montana is da Man Posted September 21, 2017 Share Posted September 21, 2017 Everyone but Sproles is currently on my waiver wire, and I have my money on Clement taking over but I don't see it happening soon. For now, I'm staying away from this backfield. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
i_am_the_swammi Posted September 25, 2017 Share Posted September 25, 2017 On 9/20/2017 at 0:01 PM, i_am_the_swammi said: A little more clarity this week: Sproles: IR Smallwood: ran the ball hard and with authority this week; earned himself a larger role going forward Blount: looked great hitting the gaps and running hard in the first half, but clearly was winded in the heat during the 2nd. Clement: still licking his chops while waiting his turn, though made the most of limited touches yesterday, scampering 19 yards for a TD with an exceptional burst around the edge Pumphrey: IR I definitely think Clement gets his shot and takes over by Week 6, perhaps sooner. FIxed Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevegrab Posted September 26, 2017 Share Posted September 26, 2017 swammi, So the Sproles injury has no impact on Clement, won't get a chance even sooner? What about Smallwood, he's going to get more looks for sure. He'a FA in my league, think I'll go for Smallwood this week and wait longer on Clement. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kdko Posted September 26, 2017 Share Posted September 26, 2017 27 minutes ago, stevegrab said: swammi, So the Sproles injury has no impact on Clement, won't get a chance even sooner? What about Smallwood, he's going to get more looks for sure. He'a FA in my league, think I'll go for Smallwood this week and wait longer on Clement. Smallwood will be the biggest benefactor here, and in PPR i think he's a must-add this week. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tazinib1 Posted September 26, 2017 Share Posted September 26, 2017 Sadly, Smallwood is not available in any league I am in. I had high hopes for Sproles. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
michaelredd9 Posted September 27, 2017 Author Share Posted September 27, 2017 Clement looked shifty for a 220 pound running back. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
michaelredd9 Posted September 27, 2017 Author Share Posted September 27, 2017 The Eagles just signed Kenjon Barner. I wonder if he'll take over 3rd down duties? Doug Pederson clearly likes small, receiving running backs and Kenjon fits the mold. He played for the Eagles last year so he knows their system and will integrate seamlessly. As a Smallwood owner, I don't like the signing. I was hoping Smallwood would completely take over the running back receiving duties. Frank Reich did provide a reason for optimism for Smallwood with this quote, "There's no doubt Wendell Smallwood is going to have an increased role," offensive coordinator Frank Reich said Tuesday. "All the guys have some third-down ability, but Wendell has really improved in the area. He showed natural aptitude for it early, both from a protection standpoint and from a route running standpoint." Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
i_am_the_swammi Posted September 27, 2017 Share Posted September 27, 2017 17 hours ago, stevegrab said: swammi, So the Sproles injury has no impact on Clement, won't get a chance even sooner? What about Smallwood, he's going to get more looks for sure. He'a FA in my league, think I'll go for Smallwood this week and wait longer on Clement. I do think Clement gets some extra touches with Sproles going down....he got 5 of his six carries after Sproles left the game this past Sunday, so one has to think Clement will get a portion of what Sproles used to get (or he gets some Smallwood snaps, since Smallwood will be getting some Sproles snaps) If I had to wager a touch-split heading into this weekend: Blount: 10-12 Smallwood: 10-12 Clement: 6-8 That equates to about 26-30 touches for the RBs (20-22 rushes, 6-8 receptions). Sounds about right. And by Week 6, I think Clement takes over as the lead back: 12-14 touches, while Blount/Smallwood get 8-10 each. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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