Four Philadelphia Eagles Training Camp Battles Worth The Wait
By Matt Giraldi
Training Camp Battle #3: Kickoff and Punt Return Specialists
Of the 35 kickoff returns for the Eagles last season, 16 of them were by two players no longer on the roster (Kenjon Barner and Josh Huff). They also contributed a total of 161 special teams snaps. Funnily enough, two of the players drafted by the Eagles back in April are leading candidates to contribute towards Dave Fipp’s special teams unit.
The leading candidates are surely Wendell Smallwood on kickoffs and Darren Sproles on punt returns. Donnel Pumphrey will likely get the chance to prove his worth during the preseason for either, or both, positions. Competition is thick at running back, so both Smallwood and Pumphrey need to get on the field in any way possible.
The other rookie expected to help the special teams unit is Mack Hollins. Returning the football might not be where he’s utilized as a rookie though. Hollins was an exceptional gunner in college, and could serve Fipp in the same role for the Eagles. He will have a lot to live up to this season however. Football Outsiders ranked the Eagles as the best special teams units in 2016.