Ranking the Running Game, Part Four: Philadelphia Eagles

Part 4 of a 32 part series, a running back position analysis of each franchise. The Philadelphia Eagles gained the 4^th most yards in franchise history and finished 2007 with a Top-10 defense. The Eagles somehow managed to finish last in the division with an 8-8 record & struggling to score points. The coaching staff is intact and a core of talented players return on both sides of the ball, the Eagles should be back in contention in 2008. The Eagles as a team averaged 123 yards rushing per game which was 8^th best in the league.

Philadelphia Eagles 

Brian Westbrook    5’ 10” 203 lbs.  278 Att. 1,333 Yards   4.8 YPC Avg. 7 TD’s  

Correll Buckhalter   6’ 0”  217 lbs.    62 Att.    313 Yards   5.0 YPC Avg. 4 TD’s

Tony Hunt                6’ 1”  233 lbs.    10 Att.      16 Yards   1.6 YPC Avg.  1 TD

Ryan Moats               5’ 8” 210 lbs.     3^rd year player out of Louisiana Tech

Jason Davis               5’ 11” 240 lbs.   2^nd year player out of Illinois

Donovan McNabb was the Eagles #3 rusher with 50 attempts for 236 yards. Tony Hunt the 3^rd round pick from 2007 was used as a short yardage back and special teams player. The Eagle running game is in good shape and the team doesn’t have a need to draft a running back. However, the Eagles were pretty pedestrian when when it came to returning kicks & punts. They didn’t return a kickoff or punt for a TD. The team is reluctant to hand the job to Brian Westbrook but the longest Non-Westbrook punt return was 32 yards. The longest kick return was 35 yards, with this in mind in my mind the Eagles have a huge need for Return Specialist. The Eagles can select WR/ RS DeSean Jackson or CB/ RS Mike Jenkins in the 1^st round and with either player fill two needs.

Easier than standing on 9th & Passyunk and deciding where to have a Cheesesteak Sandwich between Geno's & Pat's King of Steaks.

The question for the Eagles: Is this the draft that the team finds a successor to Brian Dawkins? Will the team draft a WR who has knowledge of the west coast offense & is able to make an immediate impact?