Darren Sproles

Posted: July 22nd, 2014 | Author: | Filed under: Philadelphia Eagles | 48 Comments »

The most interesting addition the Eagles made this offseason was trading for Darren Sproles. When news broke that he was available, I wrote that I didn’t think the Eagles would be interested. They were. Then I figured he would come here more as a slot receiver than RB. The Eagles coaches went out of their way this spring to emphasize that Sproles was here as a RB.

So apparently I don’t know very much.

I do know that Sproles is a declining player, but remains talented and can be a dangerous offensive weapon. Here are some 2013 highlights. The music is NSFW so turn that volume down.

You can see that Sproles is a good space player. Get him in space and 1-on-1 and he is still very dangerous. He has exceptionally quick feet and is able to create separation with one move. Sproles lacks the speed that he once had so he’s not so much a home run threat anymore, but he can still deliver chunks of yards in the right situations.

I do think the Eagles want to use Sproles as a receiver to take advantage of his ability in that area, but I’m fascinated by him as a runner. Back in 2011, Sproles was 87-603 for the Saints. That is 6.9 yards per carry. His career number is 5.1 ypc. Sproles has never been a volume runner. His career high for carries in a season is 93. Shady McCoy gets that in a month.

Sproles is an effective runner when he does get the ball. He is very good with making one cut and then turning upfield. He has great body control and that allows him to move around blockers and away from defenders. He shows good vision and he’s got great feet. Sproles isn’t a power runner, but has a thick enough build to not go down on first contact. He doesn’t have the long speed to deliver big plays, but back in 2011 he had 7 runs of 20 or more yards.

Can the Eagles get a 2011 performance out of him?

The last 2 years Sproles totaled 101 carries and he had 3 runs of 20 or more yards. Did the Saints use him less because he wasn’t as effective or was he less effective because the Saints didn’t use him enough? You would have to really study 2 years worth of Saints games to have a strong feel for that question.

Chip Kelly does have a good track record with smaller RBs. LaMichael James was a great player at Oregon despite being just 5-8, 194. Sproles lists at 5-6, 190. He isn’t tall, but he does have a thick build.

The Saints are more of a power running team. They like to attack downhill with big blockers and strong runners. Pierre Thomas and Mark Ingram are both 215 pound runners. Khiry Robinson is 220. Kelly loves to run the ball, but doesn’t need power guys for his attack. He likes to spread teams out and attack more creatively. Sproles can be a good RB in this system. He did a good job for the Saints, but just didn’t fit what they wanted anymore.

Chip Kelly seems excited by the presence of Sproles. And we can’t ignore how Kelly and the coaches went on and on about the fact Sproles is here to be a RB. I don’t think he’s suddenly going to get 20 carries a game, but they must feel he can be a good change-of-pace runner behind McCoy.

I do think Sproles is expected to be a big help in the return game. He has been a successful PR and KOR in his career. Sproles can  help with both units. He won’t break 80-yard TDs anymore, but he can help with some medium returns. You also trust him back there in terms of decision-making and handling the ball. Maybe Sproles can help some young returners on the Eagles who haven’t developed into consistent performers so far in their careers. I’m sure Brian Westbrook benefited from the year he spent with Brian Mitchell back in 2002.

There certainly is a lot of optimism in regard to Sproles. Almost everyone in the media came away impressed after watching him in the OTAs and minicamp. Eagles coaches think very highly of him, even the defensive guys.

Sproles has averaged fewer than four rushing attempts per game in three of the last four seasons, yet Eagles coaches have emphasized this spring that they’re counting on him to be a ball-carrier, not just a pass-catcher.

“One, you can’t see him,” said inside linebackers coach Rick Minter when asked about the challenge of preparing for Sproles. “Seriously. I mean you can’t see the guy. He’s diminutive in size. Darren is short, but not small. There’s a big difference. He’s a short, statured man, but he’s thick and strong and violent and all those other things. As we’re noticing, they’re running Chip’s plays now. And I think this offense is gonna be a really good fit for Darren to get a second life and get some things going here just as a runner, let alone as a friggin’ receiver. That’s what he’s known for to be the hard matchup.

“But even as a runner, you start running those plays Chip’s running and you start looking back there behind that 300-pound offensive line, you don’t even see the guy. And all of a sudden, it’s boom, squirt out the back door and he’s got the ball. So I think his running skills are still there to run this style, and then the receiving skills are unbelievable, they’re off the charts. At the running back position, his ability to be a receiver out of the backfield or line up wherever they want to line him up is very challenging for us as a linebacker corps trying to stop him.”

Despite Sproles’ age and the fact that he averaged just 4.2 YPC last season, the Eagles jumped at the opportunity to acquire him. While the games are still more than two months away, they like what they’ve seen so far.

“First thing that sticks out is just how well he trains,” Kelly said. “He’s one of the guys that you point out to the younger guys on film as that is what it’s supposed to look like. That’s the effort, and that’s what we’re looking for on a daily basis from him. Very, very intelligent football player. He’s got a great knowledge of the game, and I think he’s really shared that with Duce [Staley] and myself kind of how he sees things and has helped out some of the younger running backs at that position.”

I don’t want to get this hype train out of control. Sproles is here to be a role player on an offense that already has very good weapons. But I am excited to see how Kelly uses him and if Sproles can have more impact than I initially anticipated.

_


48 Comments on “Darren Sproles”

  1. 1 Formidable said at 9:37 AM on July 22nd, 2014:

    I don’t see why Sproles cant be a home run hitter anymore in both PR/KOR and RB roles. Even without 2011 speed, get him in space in any of those areas and there will be long plays. I think he has more Home Run potential than his predecessor Bryce Brown which we unfortunately experienced vs the Saints in the playoffs last year.

  2. 2 Jernst said at 1:26 PM on July 22nd, 2014:

    Like Shady who lacks true elite top end speed he’ll eventually get caught from behind instead of breaking off long 80 yard runs. But, I see the dip in his numbers having more to do with New Orleans power running style than any dramatic reduction in his speed. He’s slower now than he was 3 yrs ago but with the space Kelly creates I see a lot of 20 yard runs from him this year.

  3. 3 Insomniac said at 1:29 PM on July 22nd, 2014:

    Think Damaris.

  4. 4 A_T_G said at 9:43 AM on July 22nd, 2014:

    Some observations from the highlight video:

    1. When the first 20% of your highlight video doesn’t include any highlights! you are doing it wrong.
    2. Sproles has really good hands. It doesn’t even look like he catches the ball, it just looks like it was flipped to him by someone just off camera.
    3. Sproles is known for being quick and shifty, and he is. Yet, watching him take three quick steps, then accelerate on a cut-back makes one appreciate Shady sticking his foot in the ground and going from full speed one direction to full speed in another.
    4. So, apparently NSFW doesn’t mean Natural Sounds From Water. I was expecting one of those white noise, relaxation tracks.

  5. 5 Jernst said at 1:28 PM on July 22nd, 2014:

    I have no idea how shadys ligaments don’t just explode when he cuts like that. The forces that must be experienced in his joints are something else. He’s truly elite in that area.

  6. 6 eagleyankfan said at 9:51 AM on July 22nd, 2014:

    After reading the title — I was expecting an “omg, Sproles is superman” type of column. Instead it’s an “eh, Sproles is here”. I like that T-Law keeps it real. I’m excited that Sproles is on this team. Why? Because as the game goes on, out of now where BAMM a TD by Sproles. How did it happen? I don’t know. But there he is in the end zone. I didn’t see it coming. How did this happen?(in the best Peter Griffin voice I can do)

  7. 7 Always Hopeful said at 10:56 AM on July 22nd, 2014:

    Wanted him when he first left the Chargers. Descending player, but can be an effective weapon. How much does he have left? Not that he’s a player that puts the Eagles over the top, but will he be here for deep playoff runs? I guess if the deep playoff runs start this year. I like thinking about him being lost in the shuffle and getting easy yards/scores. Wish we had an understudy for him though.

  8. 8 eagleyankfan said at 11:21 AM on July 22nd, 2014:

    That’s what I was thinking. Kind of like why Jenkins is here. Mentor/help the other safeties. I’m not sure who Sproles would help. He can’t be a long term fix. Maybe the Eagles don’t like what they have it Shady needs a break?

  9. 9 Always Hopeful said at 11:28 AM on July 22nd, 2014:

    I was hoping that D’Anthony Thomas was going to be picked by us late in the draft, but it didn’t happen. Sproles is smaller in stature but thicker in build than DAT. Not quite the exact same type of players, but both seem to be hybrid rb/wr/returners who are explosive, watch-out-when-he-has-space type of players. Maybe Damaris Johnson will be Sproles understudy. I know, I know…I’m being a little TOO hopeful with that thought.

  10. 10 A Roy said at 11:06 AM on July 22nd, 2014:

    I, for one, thoroughly enjoyed watching his long TD off the screen versus DAL. Here’s hoping for a reprise.
    I would expect him to spell Shady for, maybe, a series each half. And I hope they show some two back sets, too. He can be the ‘motion’ guy where Jackson was last year, too.

  11. 11 P_P_K said at 1:31 PM on July 22nd, 2014:

    “He can be the ‘motion’ guy where Jackson was last year, too.”

    Good point. That’s a role Darren should be able to play well.

  12. 12 GEAGLE said at 6:59 PM on July 22nd, 2014:

    I think Sproles and shady will be on the field together a TON..
    ..
    Teams just don’t have 3 safeties or linebackers that can match no with shady,Ertz,Sproles….the mismatches they create all year will make last years offense look pedestrian… Lol I can’t believe so many paid football analysts think the sky is falling cuz we lost Desean…silly fools

    The eagles will over take the Broncos as the best offense in the NFL..Broncos offense is taking a step back this year, and if they want to be elite, then all the money they spent on defense needs to pay off, because after the Super Bowl BEATDOWN, some of their offensive Mystique is GONE! Super Bowl was the worst thing that could have ever happened to their offense. Now every time they take the field the defenses they face will be at their most physical. Every defense is going to play the most physical game they can possibly play when they face the broncos….teams are really going to try to really rough them up this year…..very interested in seeing how that offense will handle it

  13. 13 Dominik said at 4:53 AM on July 23rd, 2014:

    You’re right, Re:Broncos, but it’s not often a good idea to bet against Peyton Manning in the regular season. 😀 You can be sure he analysed the Super Bowl meltdown himself – and every child knows how good he is at analysing. 😉

    And if we’re honest, it all comes down to Peyton. Of course, they lost their #1 RB. But does it REALLY matter with Peyton as your QB and their O-Line (Clady returns)?

    And of course, they lost Decker – but brought in Sanders (and Latimer).

    I can see the Eagles as the #1 offense, at least in some major categories. But it will be tough as long as Manning is in Denver and has these kinds of weapons.

  14. 14 teltschikfakeout88 said at 12:18 PM on July 22nd, 2014:

    I cant wait to hear this in the upcoming season…..Foles to Sproles…after a squirt out of the backdoor……insert sound of sophomoric laughter relegated for fart jokes….

  15. 15 Anders said at 2:38 PM on July 22nd, 2014:

    http://www.footballperspective.com/the-top-quarterbacks-and-the-receivers-they-threw-it-to/

    Look up McNabb, Westbrook was the guy who has most recieving yards from him. That is mind boggling that a guy who was a good as McNabb has such a crappy amount of WR.

  16. 16 P_P_K said at 3:00 PM on July 22nd, 2014:

    I’ve got to believe Donovan holds the same opinion.

  17. 17 Mac said at 4:18 PM on July 22nd, 2014:

    A healthy Shawn Andrews may have helped to increase those numbers a bit. But all kidding aside, yes those WR groups were failtacular.

  18. 18 RobNE said at 5:12 PM on July 22nd, 2014:

    that’s why Reid ran the ball so much.

  19. 19 anon said at 3:14 PM on July 22nd, 2014:

    We have a habit of taking guys after down years so it’s no surprise that we went after him. The floor is pretty high, at worst he gets the stats he got last year at best he was the player he was in 2011 in which case we got a huge steal.

    Sproles also happens to be a guy that fits our culture to a T and has been successful on a team with a championship culture – those guys aren’t as easy to find. All for a 5th round pick and little $$. He’s also a must on your fantasy team in leagues w/ all purpose yards.

    He’s old but i’m not concerned b/c he’s never been an every down back. He might have lost a step but his body isn’t breaking down. He’ll keep foles from holding the ball too long.

  20. 20 GEAGLE said at 6:51 PM on July 22nd, 2014:

    Really like that we have guys in our locker room that can flash their SUPERBOWL rings..
    ..
    The defense has Malcolm Jenkins, maragos and Cary Williams…3 SB rings in our secondary should be a lot of knowledge to help young guys like Wolff, Reynolds, Jalen

    Sproles brings a ring to our offense…

    Any other SB champs I’m missing?

  21. 21 Baloophi said at 3:55 PM on July 22nd, 2014:

    Though he wouldn’t offer much physically, if we could lure Laveranues Coles out of retirement we could have Foles, Sproles and Coles on the field at the same time. DC’s wouldn’t have an answer for that.

  22. 22 A_T_G said at 5:46 PM on July 22nd, 2014:

    And if they switch roles, it would dumbfound defenses. Think of the holes…

    The real key here is the fact that the three of them look so much alike.

  23. 23 bsuperfi said at 6:26 PM on July 22nd, 2014:

    And perhaps we could bring back Todd Bowles to coach the offense because he and Castillo have bizarro souls

  24. 24 GEAGLE said at 6:43 PM on July 22nd, 2014:

    Teams barely have 1 linebacker who they are comfortable matching up against Shady or Sproles…they certainly don’t have two LBs that can run with our backs in wheel routes,.,

    The eagles are a nightmare for safeties and linebackers this year. DCs are going to lose their minds trying to find ways to matchup with Ertz, Sproles and Shady….and Sproles and Shadys presence, is what will make Ertz have a field day… Basically teams will have to look at their linebackers and safeties and figure out which ones they can use to match up with Sproles,shady and Ertz, and teams just don’t have safeties big enough for Ertz, and they don’t have linebackers fast enough for Ertz,shady and Sproles…

    On top of those nightmare mismatches at times we will have pass catchers who are all 6’2 and over 215lbs on the field…teams don’t have enough 6’2 CBs to match up with us…so while secondaries will be scrambling to match up with the size we play on the outside, the safeties and LBs have to match up with our TEs and backs….I don’t care which defense we face, there are going to be favorable matchups for FOles to exploit… You aren’t stopping the eagles offense this year…. Sorry

  25. 25 Dominik said at 4:59 AM on July 23rd, 2014:

    Basically teams will have to look at their linebackers and safeties and
    figure out which ones they can use to match up with Sproles,shady and
    Ertz, and teams just don’t have safeties big enough for Ertz, and they
    don’t have linebackers fast enough for Ertz,shady and Sproles…

    It sounds stupid, but why not switch the roles for LBs and Safeties then? I’d feel much safer if Jenkins is covering Sproles while Kendricks is covering Ertz than the other way around. If I have this kind of idea, I’m sure DCs in this league will have way better ideas. Maybe not Haslett, but the rest of the league. 😀

  26. 26 theycallmerob said at 1:31 PM on July 23rd, 2014:

    Just like last year, that’s committing at least 1 Safety into the box for Sproles; what to do if it’s a 2-back set? Makes everything easier for all the WRs as well. Also makes Foles’ decision-making easier, with less disguise in the back 7. May also force other DCs into awkward personnel packages for matchup purposes, which Kelly can exploit via tempo and options.

    Also, re: Ertz specifically, if he’s running deeper routes and pulling a LB off the ball the OL will dominate in the run game. I doubt there are very many LBs in the entire league who can keep up with Ertz on his routes (match his speed and have great coverage/follow skills), let alone his height advantage.

    Just a few quick thoughts that came to mind 🙂

  27. 27 theycallmerob said at 1:37 PM on July 23rd, 2014:

    and yet, to really beat Kelly (and “stop” the O), the defense must win in the front 4 and not the back 7. Teams would have to really dominate our OL, which is hard since (1) not many teams can matchup talent-wise; (2) our guys are better conditioned over course of a game and season; (3) Having the starting 5 (and Barbre) playing all last year and this TC means they’ve really mastered that IZR, Kelly’s bread and butter.
    Basically , will be much harder for teams to exploit our combo of Mathis-Kelce-Herremans, since they’re so familiar with Kelly/each other and have great tackles outside of them, like what the NYG did last year.
    At least this year, the teams I see with the best opposing fronts are, of jcourse, the NFC-W (but especially ARI and STL), plus HOU and CAR. Don’t think any NFC-E teams will really threaten us in the trenches this year.

  28. 28 GEAGLE said at 6:48 PM on July 22nd, 2014:

    Last year, the bills spent a 6th round pick on the big leg of Kicker Dustin Hopkins who ended up hurting his groin and missing the entire season forcing the bills to pick up Dan carpenter who went on to hit 92% of his FGs and earn a 4yr contract..

    Right now, Carpenter is kicking FGs for the bills! while Dustin Hopkins big leg is being used as a kickoff specialist, but he most likely is going to be cut from the Bills…
    ..,
    Really really hoping the eagles are waiting for this kid to get released, scoop him up and have Hopkins and Alex competing during TC and preseason… Think Alex watching Hopkins consistently boot kick offs out the back if the ENDZONE will put some pressure on him….Alex would have the edge in FGs, Hopkins would have the edge in kickoffs, may the best drunken idiot kicker Win!!!

  29. 29 Dominik said at 5:01 AM on July 23rd, 2014:

    Interesting. Did Bironas sign somewhere in the meantime? Would be good options to choose from if they finally admit that Muderleg won’t be enough competition for our weak spot.

    And no, I’m not stalking you, it just happens to be that you wrote three interesting comments in a row. 😉

  30. 30 GEAGLE said at 5:11 PM on July 23rd, 2014:

    I welcome your responses…more opportunity for debate that helps my work day pass faster….think Bironas is still unsigned

  31. 31 Media Mike said at 6:53 PM on July 22nd, 2014:

    I can’t wait to see some of our run / pass combos with our best 5 skill position guys on the field at once;

    Shady, Sproles, Ertz, Matthews, and Huff.

    It’ll be awesome!

  32. 32 Sean Stott said at 6:55 PM on July 22nd, 2014:

    I like that you left out Maclin.

  33. 33 Media Mike said at 6:57 PM on July 22nd, 2014:

    Indeed! Maclin sucks and Allen Rodriguez is a golden rock God!

    http://www.bleedinggreennation.com/2014/7/22/5917017/philadelphia-eagles-case-against-jeremy-maclin

  34. 34 Sean Stott said at 7:15 PM on July 22nd, 2014:

    I’m hoping a lot of the toughness and effort concerns are alleviated by the way Kelly expects his players to play. He had Desean blocking last year, I’m hoping he can make Maclin less of a pussy.

  35. 35 Media Mike said at 7:17 PM on July 22nd, 2014:

    Except Jackson was never lacking guts, he’s just a head case. Maclin, as evidenced by the top notch work of Mr. Rodriguez, isn’t salvageable.

  36. 36 Media Mike said at 6:57 PM on July 22nd, 2014:

    I’m really hoping that Tommy soon jumps in to verify the strong work done by Allen Rodriguez today on Bleed Green! If you didn’t read it, you need to people!

    http://www.bleedinggreennation.com/2014/7/22/5917017/philadelphia-eagles-case-against-jeremy-maclin

  37. 37 GEAGLE said at 8:27 PM on July 22nd, 2014:

    I’ll check it out, just cuz it’s you…but I hate visiting that site

  38. 38 GEAGLE said at 8:42 PM on July 22nd, 2014:

    Bwahahaha how did I know it would be an anti Jeremy Maclin post lol
    ..
    You will probably like what I’m about to say, but I have a feeling Maclins snap count will be down this year. He may be our #1 on paper, but I think come the second half of the season, his snap count will be down….the “loss of Desean” is overexagerated Piece of crap…believe it our not, DCs will find it much harder to game plan for shady,Sproles and Ertz. Then game planing for Desean……I also think, we want BIg pass catchers out there, since teams won’t have enough 6’3 210lb defensive backs to match up against us…. I think we want to put so much size out there catching passes that the DBs will get smashed when we decide to run….so while DBs and DCs are going cray over all the size we have on the outside in terms of pass catchers, they will really go crazy figuring out which LB or safety they dare use to DEfend Sproles, which one will match up with Ertz, and which one will try and run with Shady….
    ..
    Defenses will be waaaaay more uncomfortable trying to match up with us this year then when we had Jason Avant who had nothing left, and tiny Deseean in the run game…

    Our offense will be much better then last year

    ST will be much better
    ,,,
    But the most improvement will come from my beloved defense,

    can’t wait til all the fools who talking trash right now about not addressing the defense this offseason, see just how good our defense plays this year,,,I’m telling you, people are going be really impressed..I don’t get what more people could have wanted in terms of defense improvements…
    .
    Biggest fee agent aquisition was a safety
    we added a 3rd starting Caliber CB
    We spent a first round pick on an OLB
    4th on Jalen Watkins
    5th on Hart..
    7th on Beau Allen

    How is that not addressing the defense? DL is one of our strengths, and we dumped 3 draft picks into the front 7.. Yet silly media still isn’t respecting our defense…
    …they still complain about our corners,the same two outside corners that went on an insane streak at the end of the season of containing and shutting down top WR tandems, and they accomplished that with little pass rush in front of them

    This defense has arrived, and they are going to whip up on offenses this year….can’t wait til people realize that the philly style defense is back!!!

  39. 39 anon said at 1:13 AM on July 23rd, 2014:

    Interesting points, but nothing about how Maclin really adds to the equation aside from being “big” — problem is whether he plays to his size.

    Some people think he’ll be different under Kelly. I promise myself I’ll be different with every new girlfriend, but really i’m just the same as i ever was.

  40. 40 CrackSammich said at 8:57 AM on July 23rd, 2014:

    “Bwahahaha how did I know it would be an anti Jeremy Maclin post lol”

    Perhaps it was the link ending in “Philadelphia-eagles-case-against-jeremy-maclin”?

  41. 41 GEAGLE said at 7:45 PM on July 22nd, 2014:

    With football season comes all the unbearable “analysis” from the “experts” who 90% are so pathetically clueless… I get excited for football season, and I give guys a chance, and check out there analysis, normally I can’t listen to more than a sentence or two before shutting it off and getting mad at myself for thinking I could get something valuable out of it…

    So many times I get in my car, hype to hear some football talk. I turn on sports radio. And I can barely listen two minutes before I shut it off….

    Today’s “Brilliant” analysis came from Sal pal….who thinks we didn’t address the defense the way we needed to so it will be a weakness all season, consequently Chip thinks the answer for this season is milking the clock, which is the opposite of Chips tempo which is the foundation we are built upon…. Sal pal predicts the eagles will purposely move at a much slower tempo than last year…SMH…you know football season is here when you hear all the absurd analyis

  42. 42 Media Mike said at 8:04 PM on July 22nd, 2014:

    You need some high quality analysis from Allen Rodriguez! He’s way better than these national fools.

  43. 43 GEAGLE said at 8:17 PM on July 22nd, 2014:

    I literally can’t get over the fact that Sal pal thinks Chip will slow down his offense lol… I have been laughing about it for two days now….
    ….
    98% of philly media thinks our defense will still weigh us down! because quote “we were too cheap to dump any money into it in free agency”…. Defense is going to be top 12…shame that most of the people with a voice don’t know anything about football lol iit turns our fanbase into a legion of zombie morons running around saying absurd stuff, like Nick FOles is being traded becaue he can never play for Chip, or my favorite from
    Last summer “we will have a historically bad defense again”
    ,.
    Remember this time last year all the crap people gave me for saying we had the best front 7 in the division… I remember I asked people would they want to trade our entire defense for the personel of one of the defenses in the division, and 98% of people who answered would have traded away our entire defense for that of the Giants and cowboys LOL….

    After this year. Idiots like misanelli won’t be able to tell their listeners that FOles is a fluke anymore. Believe it or not, people are still waiting for Chip to jump ship and go with a Mobil QB LOL INSANITY…after this year, we won’t have to listen to any of the silly crap anymore, because who we are will be evident!!!!

    99%’ of football coverage INFURIATES me! That’s why you always gotta tip your pimp hat, to the Notorious TY Law,

  44. 44 GEAGLE said at 7:48 PM on July 22nd, 2014:

    Jason peters will be two years removed from surgery and experienced in this new system…. That’s a scary thought for opponents

    Thinking Sproles will always line up in the backfield in chips offense, and then motion him all over the place…he will end up lined up all over the place, but it will always be a result of motion IMO

  45. 45 76mustang said at 9:54 PM on July 22nd, 2014:

    Sproles might be the most interesting addition this off season, but I see Malcolm Jenkins being the most impactful addition to the team. I really expect him to shore up the back end, just by making the correct calls and having players properly positioned to make plays. The better communication on defense will especially be apparent come training camp – even Shady said the defense looks “real good”.

    As for Sal Pal, it’s almost like ESPN management goes “tag, it’s your turn to stir the pot and drive debate”. Each beat reporter and “analyst” seems to have their chosen time playing contrarian, and then can morph back into themselves. Hopefully, it’s just temporary insanity.

    If you haven’t read the Mike Tanier piece: http://www.sportsonearth.com/article/85489990/nfl-training-camp-stats-no-huddle-shotgun-quarterback-runs#!bj9iYO

    really good writing, and a glimpse at how disruptive Chip really is compared to the norm!

  46. 46 anon said at 12:56 AM on July 23rd, 2014:

    Yes but it’s not a case of addition by subtraction.

  47. 47 Let's Talk About RBs said at 3:40 PM on July 24th, 2014:

    […] also have to think about Darren Sproles. I wrote about him the other day. Sproles will technically be the backup RB, but I do wonder if he or Polk will have more carries. […]

  48. 48 dislikedisqus said at 8:24 PM on July 24th, 2014:

    The new SI has an article on Drew Brees’ workout. Sproles is in it with him. It says to prep for CK’s pace, Sproles runs sprints in between each set.