Inside the Iggles
FanSided

Byron Marshall Is a Jack Of All Trades

By Matt Giraldi

Sep 5, 2015; Eugene, OR, USA; Eastern Washington Eagles defensive back Rashad Wadood (21) defends against Oregon Ducks wide receiver Byron Marshall (9) at Autzen Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Scott Olmos-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 5, 2015; Eugene, OR, USA; Eastern Washington Eagles defensive back Rashad Wadood (21) defends against Oregon Ducks wide receiver Byron Marshall (9) at Autzen Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Scott Olmos-USA TODAY Sports /
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Oct 24, 2014; Santa Clara, CA, USA; Oregon Ducks running back Byron Marshall (9) runs the ball against the California Golden Bears in the second quarter at Levi
Oct 24, 2014; Santa Clara, CA, USA; Oregon Ducks running back Byron Marshall (9) runs the ball against the California Golden Bears in the second quarter at Levi /

The Philadelphia Eagles backfield was nothing short of a disappointment last season. After trading LeSean McCoy to the Buffalo Bills and signing free agent running back DeMarco Murray, the Eagles thought the production in 2015 would not take a noticeable dip from the previous year. Unfortunately last season the Eagles’ backfield had it’s lowest output in every rushing category during the Chip Kelly regime.

The production in the passing game by the running backs was equally disappointing. Whether it was Ryan Mathews dropping wide-open passes on wheel routes or the overall lack of involvement, new head coach Doug Pederson has to not only involve the running backs more, but get quality production in all phases of the game. Perhaps the draft and undrafted free agent acquisitions hints that Pederson is looking to do just that.

The Eagles used their fifth-round selection on West Virginia running back Wendell Smallwood. The team also added Oregon running back Byron Marshall as an undrafted free agent. While Smallwood has garnered the most talk (most of which is negative), Marshall perhaps has the most upside of any Eagles running back, regardless of tenure. There is just one underlying question: Is Marshall a running back, wide receiver, or return specialist?

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The answer ultimately could be all three. Marshall had 168 rushing attempts for 1,038 yards his sophomore season. He had 74 receptions for 1,003 yards his junior season. In four games his senior season, he had 14 kick returns for 385 yards. Marshall averaged 7.8 yards from scrimmage each time he touched the ball in college. The Eagles would be smart to get him the ball in a variety of ways this summer.

Next: Byron Marshall As a Running Back

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