Home

Wendell Smallwood should be the Eagles feature back

25 August 2017 Eagles News


The Eagles might have found their answer at running back this season.

Yesterday, the Eagles defeated the Dolphins 38-31, and the biggest takeaway from that game, in my opinion, was what Wendell Smallwood did in the run game.

Smallwood struggled his rookie year with injuries, but when he was featured he looked sharp. Against Pittsburgh and Atlanta last season, Smallwood had his best two games, running for over 70 yards in each game, showing flashes of things to come. And, this season, Smallwood is poised to take control of the Eagles run game.

The Eagles need to have a running back who can punish defenses with both power and speed, yesterday, Smallwood looked all of that. He carried the ball four times for 28 yards, averaging seven yards a carry. He was featured exclusively with the first team offense and looked really sharp.

Smallwood shows good vision, patience and the ability to run through any hole. However, the most underrated aspect with Smallwood is his willingness to get up the field, fight for extra yards and break tackles. Those are things you cannot teach.  On the current roster, he is the best all around running back.

There is this notion that because the Eagles signed LeGarrette Blount, he will be the one getting the most carries, but that is not true at all. The Eagles are going to lean on the running back who will give them the best possible situation and that guy is Smallwood.

 

Photo Credit: USA Today

 

 


,