Am I the only one irrationally upset that the Eagles might seriously go into the season with Darren Sproles as their lead running back? Darren Sproles, who’s 33, on a team with shitty wide receivers, and Sam Bradford, being the lead back. DOES ANYONE ELSE HAVE A PROBLEM WITH THIS?!?!

From Mark Eckel:

Whether Ryan Mathews is healthy, or not, and the smart money is on not, when the Eagles release their first official depth chart look for Darren Sproles to be the No. 1 running back.

Now, the question is can a 33-year-old running back who is listed at 5-6, 190 pounds be a team’s featured back?

The Eagles seem to think he can.

And Eliot Shorr-Parks:

Many men – and women – have been made to look foolish predicting the demise of Darren Sproles. But at 33 a Swiss Army knife all-purpose back can’t possibly be counted on to be the lead running back on any team, even if it is molded in the likeness of Andy Reid and will only run the ball once every sixth first down or on obvious two-yard-line shovel pass opportunities.* Sproles has averaged only 3.7 carries per game over his career, only 4.5 carries per game with the Eagles, and never more than 93 carries in any one season. This is pure madness!

*Which is technically a pass, Andy!


Sure, I know Sproles wouldn’t be a conventional back, and I know Kenjon Barner – who should start if Ryan Mathews is hurt – will get plenty of burn, but I can’t believe this is an actual thing. Sproles, who has been the most exciting Eagle to watch the last few seasons, still hit a wall by the end of the 2014 season, and last year had near career lows in yards per carry and yards per catch. At a certain point, his body will give out. That point is probably soon.

Barner, meanwhile, was successful in limited action last year and has looked good in camp. As yet another Oregon player, it’s certainly possible that his success is linked to Chip Kelly, and at 26 he’s not exactly a young upside running back, but I’m just flummoxed that Sproles, and not Barner, would be considered the featured back, especially on an offense that is sort of rebuilding.

Doug Pederson and Co., who just gave Sproles a one-year extension – mostly for contract structuring purposes – can’t possibly be dumb enough to ignore all evidence that aging backs, even Darren Sproles, don’t get better over time. Sproles has been able to delay his decline due to his unique workload, but there are signs that he’s about to hit his wall. The fact that he might be considered a starter is a sign of the sorry state of the Eagles’ offense.