The running game is something that Andy Reid knows very little about. During his years with the Eagles, Reid has always been a pass happy coach, and has recieved a lot of criticism from the media and the fans for his neglect of the run game. With Donovan's ability to throw the ball deep, the big homerun touchdown pass is something that Andy is always trying to capture. Andy, let me give you some advice: If you throw the ball 75% of the time, I don't care if you have the best quarterback and reciever in the world, if the defense knows what's coming they will stop it. Andy needs to learn that a good run game will set up the pass game, the two go hand in hand. Heading into this season, with a new starting quarterback, it is crucial that the Eagles focus on running the football. Andy needs to do whatever he can to take some of the pressure off of Kolb, and running the football is the perfect way to do that. Even without Brian Westbrook and Corell Buckhalter, the Eagles have a lot of talented backs who can come in and pick up yards. Let me break down the Eagles running backs and full backs for you.
LeSean McCoy: He is a younger version of Brian Westbrook, plain and simple. He may be small, but he's lightning fast, and is extremely dangerous when he catches the ball in the open field. McCoy is the perfect running back for this west coast style offense because he is very dangerous on screen plays. After an amazing rookie season in which McCoy set the Eagles rookie rushing yards record, McCoy will look to prove that he can be a starter. With Kolb as quarterback, I expect McCoy to get a lot of snaps this season and I think he has the stuff to be a pro bowler.
Mike Bell: Next up on the Eagles depth chart at running back is Mike Bell. Mike Bell spent his first 2 years in Denver where he had a breakout year in 2006. In 2008 and 2009, Bell traveled to the Saints where he helped them win a superbowl. I really like Bell and I think he is not only a solid backup, but can also come in and compete for the starting spot. As much as I like McCoy, he still has a lot to prove and having another back like Bell can really help this Eagles run game.
Eldra Buckley: Buckley is listed as 3rd on the Eagles depth chart as running back. He was very inconsistent last year and he turned the ball over a few times. He is a guy who will look to compete in camp.
Charles Scott: Scott was drafted by the Eagles in this years draft 200 overall. He was a pretty solid running back at LSU, and will look to make the team and compete in training camp.
Leonard Weaver: Weaver was probably the best free agent signing in the whole Andy Reid era. After spending 4 uneventful years in Seattle, Weaver joined the team last year via free agency, and recorded career highs in attempts, yards, and touchdowns. He made the pro bowl and make a significant contribution to the Eagles. I really like Weaver at fullback, and he is the key to this Eagles run game.
I truly believe that this is the year that Andy Reid is going to run the ball. We saw glimpses of it last year, and this year with Kolb as the new starting quarterback, Andy has to set up the run game. The Eagles need to take some of the pressure off of Kolb and they can do that by reducing the number of times he has to throw. LeSean McCoy, Mike Bell, and Leonard Weaver are the main guys behind a very talented and potentially very dangerous Eagles run game. The Eagles have the talent, they just need their coach to stop being so stubborn and run the football.
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