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Philadelphia Eagles: If Healthy, Backfield is Better Than Before

By Maxwell Ogden

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Over the past two weeks, no man in the NFL has come under more scrutiny than Philadelphia Eagles head coach Chip Kelly. Kelly, responsible for the roster, made the controversial decision to trade star running back LeSean McCoy, amongst other moves, and a rush of criticism soon poured in.

As the dust begins to settle, Kelly’s vision is becoming clear: it’s all about depth and balance. True to the form of his Oregon Ducks days, Kelly has constructed just that: a running back rotation with depth and balance.

Losing McCoy appeared to be the coup de grâce, but Kelly’s unorthodox approach has the Eagles’ backfield looking better than it was before—when it’s healthy.

The Eagles already had one of the most prolific pass-catching running backs in NFL history in Darren Sproles. His presence alone suggested that Philadelphia would remain relatively dynamic on offense in 2015.

As fans wondered who the workhorse would be, the league’s leading rusher in 2014 answered the call.

DeMarco Murray ran for a league-best 1,845 yards in 2014 with the rival Dallas Cowboys. The No. 2 player in the NFL in that regard: Pittsburgh Steelers star Le’Veon Bell at 1,361.

That’s a difference of nearly 500 yards.

Kelly didn’t stop at adding Murray. Instead, he made sure that the league’s No. 1 rusher and one of the NFL’s most dynamic out-of-the-backfield receivers had one more partner in crime to torment defenses with.

That player: former San Diego Chargers running back Ryan Mathews.

Just like that, Kelly created what may just be the best three-headed running back monster in the NFL.

Again: if they can stay healthy. That’s one massive, “If.”

Dec 21, 2014; Arlington, TX, USA; Dallas Cowboys running back DeMarco Murray (29) carries the ball in the second quarter against the Indianapolis Colts at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports

The Workhorse

There’s a false narrative that Murray has only experienced, “One good season,” and that needs to be dispelled. Not only has Murray been productive since Day 1, but he’s steadily improved into the player he is today.

In 2013, Murray ran for 1,121 yards and nine touchdowns in 14 games on an obscene 5.2 yards per carry. That preceded his stunning 2014 campaign in which he ran for 1,845 yards and 13 touchdowns.

His resume also includes a 2011 season in which he ran for 897 yards on 5.5 yards per attempt. That doesn’t even begin to touch upon his development into a high-caliber receiver.

In 2013, Murray caught 54 passes for 350 yards and a touchdown on 66 targets. In 2014, he pulled down 57 receptions for 416 yards on 64 targets.

In translation, Murray has caught 111 of a possible 130 targets over the past two seasons—good for an incredibly efficient completion rate of 85.4 percent.

DeMarco Murray needs to take better care of the football in 2015. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports

The downside with Murray are two critical issues: ball protection and health. Between his rushing attempts and receptions, he’s committed eight fumbles over the past three seasons, including five—all lost—in 2014 alone.

As for his health, the former Oklahoma Sooners star missed at least two games in each of his first three seasons. He played in 13 in 2011, just 10 in 2012 and 14 in 2013.

The good news: he played a full 16 games in 2014 and the two-game absence from 2013 isn’t the most daunting of concerns.

The even better news: with the proper protection and play design, Murray has proven to be one of the most dangerous and productive running backs in the NFL.

Jan 25, 2015; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Team Irvin return specialist Darren Sproles of the Philadelphia Eagles (43) runs the ball past Team Carter linebacker

Lawrence Timmons

of the Pittsburgh Steelers (94) in the 2015 Pro Bowl at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

The Change-of-Pace Weapons

While DeMarco Murray is very much a do-it-all running back, the key to a Chip Kelly offense is depth and balance at running back. That’s been proven at both the collegiate and professional levels, and it’ll be on display in 2015.

Ryan Mathews and Darren Sproles—as well as the solid Chris Polk, who ran for four touchdowns in 2014—will be the source of that balance.

Sproles’ role changed in 2014, but that was very much by necessity. Sproles was often utilized on 3rd-and-short running plays over LeSean McCoy, which isn’t the most ideal scenario for a 5’6″ and 190-pound player.

Murray’s presence should help in that regard.

Even with this out-of-character style of play, Sproles caught 40 passes for 387 yards and remained dynamic. The fact that he ran for six touchdowns, picked up a superb 5.8 yards per carry and was a Pro Bowl returner only further establishes his value.

Dec 7, 2014; San Diego, CA, USA; San Diego Chargers running back Ryan Mathews (24) runs for 17 yards during the first half action against the New England Patriots at Qualcomm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY Sports

With both Murray and Mathews on the roster, expect the 31-year-old to get back to a more well-rounded role.

Mathews, 27, has been one of the more productive running backs in the NFL when he’s been healthy. Unfortunately, health has been a major issue for the former Chargers star.

Mathews missed four games as a rookie, two in 2011, four in 2012 and 10 in 2014.

The good news for Philadelphia is that, when he’s on the field, Mathews is a 1000-yard talent as a rusher and an impact player as an eligible receiver. He ran for upwards of 1,000 yards in 2011 and 2013, and has a respectable career average of 4.4 yards per carry.

The question for the Eagles is as simple as it is complex: can their running back rotation remain on the field?

Chip Kelly is gambling on excellent talent with extensive injury concerns. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

How about their quarterback?

If they can stay healthy for a high percentage of the season, the Eagles would have an elite running back rotation in Mathews, Murray and Sproles. If they can’t, this could end up being a costly investment that never reaches its full potential.

Throw in the acquisition of the productive, but injury-prone Sam Bradford—Murray’s college teammate and roommate—and Chip Kelly just made a splash with a number of high-risk, high-reward moves.

If it all pays off, Philadelphia could experience offensive efficiency of extraordinary measures.

Next: Which Day 2 NFL Draft prospects should the Philadelphia Eagles consider reaching for?

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