RB Situation

[PhillyPhreak54]

"Philadelphia is Dorsey's preference," agent Hadley Englehard said yesterday. Englehard said he spoke to the Eagles about Levens late last week and was awaiting further word. "The ball's in their court," he said.

Englehard said three other teams also were interested in Levens, whom Englehard said is working out in Atlanta, in excellent shape.

Levens isn't an exciting option, but with Westbrook and Moats slated for most of the work, he could fill a role as a short-yardage back. He's familiar with the Birds' intricate offense, and is a solid blocker. A list of other unemployed running backs would include Troy Hambrick, Eddie George and Tyrone Wheatley.

Last night, the Eagles were rumored to have contacted the Packers about Najeh Davenport. But Davenport's agent, Drew Rosenhaus, said he believed the rumor was untrue and that Green Bay was not looking to trade the 6-1, 247-pound running back.

From Les Bowen in today's DN.

[PoopyfaceMcGee]

Levens > Stephen Davis

^^^ What he said. ^^^

[PhillyGirl]

I didn't say I wanted Davis...just thought it could make things interesting.  And if Davis is 100%, he may sign a 1 yr deal for the vet minimum to prove he's healthy....and where better to showcase his talent on a team heading to the Super Bowl again?  Also, when healthy, Davis is an excellent receiver and better than average blocker...

No thanks.

[PhillyGirl]

"Philadelphia is Dorsey's preference," agent Hadley Englehard said yesterday. Englehard said he spoke to the Eagles about Levens late last week and was awaiting further word. "The ball's in their court," he said.

Englehard said three other teams also were interested in Levens, whom Englehard said is working out in Atlanta, in excellent shape.

Levens isn't an exciting option, but with Westbrook and Moats slated for most of the work, he could fill a role as a short-yardage back. He's familiar with the Birds' intricate offense, and is a solid blocker. A list of other unemployed running backs would include Troy Hambrick, Eddie George and Tyrone Wheatley.

Last night, the Eagles were rumored to have contacted the Packers about Najeh Davenport. But Davenport's agent, Drew Rosenhaus, said he believed the rumor was untrue and that Green Bay was not looking to trade the 6-1, 247-pound running back.

From Les Bowen in today's DN.

Someone is going to look at this and think that those are names being tossed around when its actually just a list of some unemployed backs. lol

[rjs246]

"Philadelphia is Dorsey's preference," agent Hadley Englehard said yesterday. Englehard said he spoke to the Eagles about Levens late last week and was awaiting further word. "The ball's in their court," he said.

Englehard said three other teams also were interested in Levens, whom Englehard said is working out in Atlanta, in excellent shape.

Levens isn't an exciting option, but with Westbrook and Moats slated for most of the work, he could fill a role as a short-yardage back. He's familiar with the Birds' intricate offense, and is a solid blocker. A list of other unemployed running backs would include Troy Hambrick, Eddie George and Tyrone Wheatley.

Last night, the Eagles were rumored to have contacted the Packers about Najeh Davenport. But Davenport's agent, Drew Rosenhaus, said he believed the rumor was untrue and that Green Bay was not looking to trade the 6-1, 247-pound running back.

From Les Bowen in today's DN.

Are they really planning on Moats being that involved in the offense?

[PoopyfaceMcGee]

Are they really planning on Moats being that involved in the offense?

Yes.  He will probably get about 10-12 touches/game (about half of what Westbrook will/should get).

[PhillyPhreak54]

I love the fact that they're looking at involving Moats a lot.

Reid is bucking his trend of not using rooks a lot (if Moats & Brown see a lot of time).

Moats is going to be a stud, IMO. I love the fact that he runs inside the tackles well.

Imagine this:

LJ @ TE
TO & Greg Lewis @ WR
Westbrook flanked out in the slot
Moats @ RB

When you spread the field like that, who does a defense cover? Cover Westbrook and TO is singled up. Cover every receiver and you run a draw to Moats and the defenses splits are so wide that Moats can eat a cheeseburger while running down the field.

[PoopyfaceMcGee]

Reid is bucking his trend of not using rooks a lot (if Moats & Brown see a lot of time).

It's kind of by necessity, though.  If Pinkston & Buck were healthy, they wouldn't see nearly as much action.  Still, he'd be quicker to add someone (a la Antonio Freeman or Levens) if he didn't feel the rooks were ahead of the learning curve.

Moats can eat a cheeseburger while running down the field.

Mmmm... cheeseburgers... 

[PhillyPhreak54]

The most productive back available on the street is Troy Hambrick, who was released by Arizona earlier in the week. Hambrick, 6-1, 233, spent his first four years with Dallas and gained 932 yards in 2003. He has the size the team needs and can also catch the ball, important in Reid's West Coast offense.

One personnel man familiar with Hambrick said not to count on him coming to the Eagles. "I wouldn't touch that guy, and I doubt (the Eagles) would," he said. "He's not a bad player, but I wouldn't go near him. Why do you think Arizona got rid of him?"

Miami is ridiculously deep at running back, with first-round draft pick Ronnie Brown, the new Ricky Williams, Travis Minor, Sammy Morris, 6-0, 220, and Lamar Gordon, 6-1, 228, and perilously thin everywhere else.

Reportedly, the Dolphins are looking to move Gordon, who they acquired from St. Louis last year for a third-round pick. It's doubtful they would get a third-round pick back for Gordon, but could recoup a lower-round pick and/or a player.

"(Gordon) is a guy you are always waiting to play the way you think he can," the personnel man said. "I guess he's OK if you're not going to use him too much."

In the Sporting News Scouting Guide, Gordon received a 6.5 rating, which was lower than the one it gave Mahe (6.7). It praised his versatility and change-of-direction skills, but worried about his durability. He missed most of last season with injury.

"(Morris) is a better fit for (the Eagles)," the personnel man added. Morris received a 6.8 grade and is considered someone who could play running back and fullback. It mentioned his good vision and change of direction skills, but pointed out his lack of speed and elusiveness.

The Eagles will watch Mahe and Perry closely tomorrow night in their preseason game against Cincinnati and make their decision from there.

"We'll see how it goes," Reid said. "We've been pleased with the backs we have."

This is from Eckel...

[PhillyGirl]

And all of the names mentioned are players I can't imagine the Eagles thinking of picking up.

[Feva]

I love the fact that they're looking at involving Moats a lot.

Reid is bucking his trend of not using rooks a lot (if Moats & Brown see a lot of time).

Moats is going to be a stud, IMO. I love the fact that he runs inside the tackles well.

I agree.  I think these rooks are just showing a great understanding for the system at this point so AR feels a little more comfortable with them to make plays.

Maybe AR is gonna get the chance to throw some "fastballs" like JJ does.

[PoopyfaceMcGee]

I've thought all along there's an outside chance of getting Morris, but if someone is acquired, I still find it much more likely that it would be Levens.  Lamar Gordon is a no go, especially if the Eagles would have to give up anything more than a conditional 5th rounder.  I think he's MAYBE worth a 6th rounder.  MAYBE.

The fact is that Levens is probably the best fit, especially if the Eagles are planning to use Moats in a 2nd-string capacity.  Basically, you're talking about a guy that can handle 5-7 touches a game, block, get a couple of tough yards.  With Levens, you could get all that easy (especially if he's really stayed in shape), and you don't have to give up a draft pick.

All that said, the team unfortunately needs Mahe at PR right now, with Wynn out.  I want to see if B. Perry brings anything to the table against the Bengals.  Chances are that Levens will still be out there and that a couple other possibilities will shake loose as the cuts progress.

At least they're already in better shape than they were last year when Buck went down.

[jeffreyjpa]

A bit off-topic, but I hate having Reno as the Eagles punt returner. He'll secure the punt, which is the most important thing...but, he is not a threat for more than a five yard return. He does a nice job on the other special teams units and is at least sure-handed as a PR...but, having him back there is about as exciting as having someone fair catch every punt.

Hope Wynn can return quickly.

[PoopyfaceMcGee]

A bit off-topic, but I hate having Reno as the Eagles punt returner. He'll secure the punt, which is the most important thing...but, he is not a threat for more than a five yard return. He does a nice job on the other special teams units and is at least sure-handed as a PR...but, having him back there is about as exciting as having someone fair catch every punt.

Hope Wynn can return quickly.

Thank you captain obvious.  Even Spadaro admits that.  Ha.

[rjs246]

A bit off-topic, but I hate having Reno as the an Eagles punt returner. He'll secure the punt, which is the most important thing...but, he is not a threat for more than a five yard return. He does a nice job on the other special teams units and is at least sure-handed as a PR...but, having him back there on the team is about as exciting as having someone fair catch every punt.

Hope Wynn can return quickly.

Fixed.