Eagles: Is Marcus Johnson or Corey Clement more important in 2017?
By Matt Giraldi
The Philadelphia Eagles have a choice to make, and it’s whether they add Corey Clement or Marcus Johnson to the 53-man roster.
When Philadelphia Eagles fans watch the preseason, they don’t see a lot of what will be seen in the regular season. Seeing potential stars is a treat however. When it comes to both Corey Clement and Marcus Johnson, the Eagles are going to have to choose which one has a better chance of helping the team in 2017 and beyond.
Thus far, during the preseason, both Clement and Johnson have contributed in a big way. Clement has rushed for 89 yards on 24 attempts. He has a total of two rushing touchdowns as well. Johnson has caught just four passes, but has gained 48 yards and a touchdown.
The question:
The biggest question for the Eagles is whether the team will carry four running backs or five wide receivers. Given the team no longer has a deadline to cut the roster to 75 men, the Eagles are able to keep the fight for the last roster spot available until the final week of the preseason. Just like the Floyd Mayweather and Conor McGregor fight, this might end predictably and abruptly.
What we’ve already seen:
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Clement has been phenomenal. Johnson has been solid. For all the talk about others at the same position, it’s easy to say which position has had it’s fair share of more criticism. It’s the running back position. LeGarrette Blount has been rumored to be cut. Wendell Smallwood has played in one preseason game.
The wide receiver position has been more interesting. Alshon Jeffery and Torrey Smith have proven their worth. Mack Hollins, their impressive rookie, has shown why he’s a lock for the roster. Then there’s Nelson Agholor. Jordan Matthews was traded, and that helped decide what the Eagles intend to do at the slot receiver position.
The discussion:
The lack of run game for the Eagles has been noticeable all preseason. A large part of the blame falls on the offensive line. Blount has received the DeMarco Murray treatment in the run game. Defenders are in the backfield as soon as he’s touching the football. The pass game has been able to thrive, for the most part, despite the injuries. Bryce Treggs, who is also fighting for a roster spot, has given a path to Johnson over the past week. For both positions, injuries (and as a result depth) dictate how the coaching staff will move forward.
Next: LeGarrette Blount versus DeMarco Murray: Is there a difference?
One last chance to make an impression:
The Eagles get a (seemingly) cupcake finale to the preseason. Taking on the New York Jets is arguably the best case scenario for any fringe candidate on the roster. Fortunately, or unfortunately, Clement and Johnson are actually going to face a defense that’s been exceptionally good this preseason.
Both Clement and Johnson have a legitimate chance of being stolen before making it to the practice squad. As this week moves forward, it might be best not to think of this as a do or die situation. It’s better to think of how far this team has come depth-wise at positions where there wasn’t any.
The Eagles are going to have quality players are both running back and wide receiver regardless of who makes the team. Perhaps, both players will be on the 53-man roster for week one of the NFL season against the Washington Redskins.