More on Sproles

Posted: July 21st, 2019 | Author: | Filed under: Philadelphia Eagles | 1 Comment »

July roster moves normally don’t amount to much. This is usually when you’re cutting Tyreek Burwell or signing a LB to help on special teams. Nobody gets too fired up. The Eagles re-signing of Darren Sproles isn’t a normal July move.

Sproles is one of the most productive players in NFL history. He has scored 21 TDs as an Eagle, making plays as a runner, receiver and returner. No one questions the fact he’s had an amazing career and has really helped the Eagles in the past.

The future is a different story.

Sproles is 36-years old. He missed 23 games over the past two years due to injuries. Even when healthy, Sproles performance has declined. Over his last 83 touches (runs, receptions, and returns), Sproles has just 3 plays of 20 or more yards. Back in 2016, Sproles had 4 plays of 40 or more yards. Those were impact plays.

Does that mean Sproles has nothing left? Of course not.

He can still be productive.

While that is true, Sproles is a declining player. We don’t know how much he’ll have left this year. He could have a bounce-back year now that he’s healthy, but he could also show even more signs of age, in terms of durability and production.

The other issue for me is that Sproles can hurt the offense. The QBs can lean on him too much in some third down situations. One of the strengths of the offense in 2017 is that Carson Wentz never forced the ball to anyone. He spread it around, looking for the open guy.

Eagles RBs caught 53 passes in all of 2017. Sproles caught 5 passes in the 2017 season opener and 4 passes in the 2018 season opener. When he’s on the field, QBs tend to look for him. That was great when he was the team’s best playmaker. That’s no longer the case. He’s no longer a player you force the ball to.

If the coaches and QBs can embrace the idea of Sproles as a role player, and he buys in as well, there could be value to having him back. If they try to feed him the ball, this is a bad move.

The Eagles don’t have a set RS so Sproles can help there, but he’s not the same returner he used to be. His long PR over the past two years is 14 yards. Granted, he’s not had a ton of chances, but he hasn’t shown too much on the returns he did have.

So what is Doug Pederson thinking?

Sproles is a player he likes and trusts. Pederson sees a smart, tough veteran who can contribute on offense and STs. The Eagles obviously aren’t paying him much so this isn’t a significant waste of resources. From a coaches perspective, the moves does make some sense.

I’d rather use the roster spot on a younger player. Last year the Eagles found a good player in Deandre Carter, but unfortunately let him go. Maybe Boston Scott could be that guy this year. Or Braxton Miller or Greg Ward.

I hope Sproles has a memorable play or two and proves me wrong. I would love to be wrong on this.

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One Comment on “More on Sproles”

  1. 1 Eagles News: Fletcher Cox among NFL’s most indispensable players – SportsHeadlines.News said at 8:03 AM on July 21st, 2019:

    […] More on Sproles – Iggles BlitzThe other issue for me is that Sproles can hurt the offense. The QBs can lean on him too much in some third down situations. One of the strengths of the offense in 2017 is that Carson Wentz never forced the ball to anyone. He spread it around, looking for the open guy. Eagles RBs caught 53 passes in all of 2017. Sproles caught 5 passes in the 2017 season opener and 4 passes in the 2018 season opener. When he’s on the field, QBs tend to look for him. That was great when he was the team’s best playmaker. That’s no longer the case. He’s no longer a player you force the ball to. If the coaches and QBs can embrace the idea of Sproles as a role player, and he buys in as well, there could be value to having him back. If they try to feed him the ball, this is a bad move. […]