In Roob’s Eagles Observations: A big role for a running back not named Saquon Barkley originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia
A late-round rookie elbowing his way into the third receiver spot, a veteran offensive lineman fading out of favor and a running back not named Saquon Barkley who’s going to have a significant role on offense.
We’re a week and a half into Eagles training camp, the preseason opener in Baltimore is five days away and the Eagles are just 32 days from boarding a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner (I’m guessing) for the 4,750-mile flight to São Paulo.
This is the time of the summer where Roob’s 10 Random Eagles Observations has to pick things up and start getting into regular-season mode.
So here we go!
1A. The more I see of training camp, the more I’m convinced Kenny Gainwell is going to not just have a role on offense but have a significant role. And that’s not a knock on Saquon Barkley. If anything, I get the sense Kellen Moore believes that giving Gainwell, say, seven or eight touches per game will help Barkley stay healthy and explosive the entire season and help keep defenses off-balance. Even in 2019, Ezekiel Elliott’s biggest season in Dallas with Moore as his offensive coordinator, Tony Pollard got seven touches per game and had 562 scrimmage yards. I think this year goes the same way. Gainwell is having a very good camp, and he’s a guy who’s just been consistently solid since he got here – 4.3 rushing average, 86 catches and 1,500 scrimmage yards as a backup. This is a contract year for Gainwell and considering Howie Roseman’s track record re-signing running backs – he never does – and Gainwell’s desire to be a RB1 somewhere probably his last year here. But expect it to be a good one.
1B. Did you know Gainwell is one of only two players in NFL history drafted in the fifth round or later with at least 200 rushing yards, a 4.3 rushing average and 20 receptions in each of his first three seasons? The other is Hall of…
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Author : NBC Sports Philadelphia
Publish date : 2024-08-04 00:24:22
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