Philadelphia Eagles: Wide Receivers are flying under radar
Reinforcements
Code-name: The Other Guys
The play of Torrey Smith hasn’t been quite up to expectations. The 59-yard touchdown against a decent Arizona Cardinals secondary showed that there is little left in the tank. Smith, who has only 221 yards, still has plenty of time to mesh with the offense moving forward.
Rookie wide-out, Mack Hollins, was drafted in the fourth round as a preferred special teams player. Hollins has shown to be special in a different kind of way, averaging 19.1 yards per reception and a long touchdown. He has taken advantage of every offensive opportunity catching 9 of 10 targets for 172 yards. This young gun can prove to be a great asset.
Tight Ends and Running Backs…
The 11-year veteran, Brent Celek hasn’t been the type of a pass-catching tight end that he was from 2009-2013. But the athletic tight end that is Trey Burton has easily picked up the slack. Burton has caught all but 3 targets on the year, adding 2 touchdowns. Against the Broncos, Burton took over for the injured Zach Ertz, playing his best game of the season. The tight end backups have proven to be positive depth for the Eagles.
After the loss of superb 3rd down back, Darren Sproles, it was imperative to find a formidable replacement. The production of yardage may not be the same without Sproles, but the ragbag of running backs make the most of their opportunities.
Wendell Smallwood, Corey Clement, LeGarrette Blount, and Kenjon Barner all have more 3 receptions or more on the season. Smallwood leads the team in receptions and receiving yards. But it’s been Clement who has made the greatest impact. Clement has 3 receptions; two of which have gone for touchdowns. The rookie has been ballin’ as of late and projects to be an important piece of the offense.
In conclusion…
Carson Wentz is currently putting up numbers that may have him hoisting up the MVP trophy at the end of the season. It seems he doesn’t care much about the praise as he does winning ball games. Despite not having a 100-yard receiver yet this season, Wentz has shown that spreading the ball around can do wonders.
Next: Eagles roundup: A reacquisition, updates on Sidney Jones
He currently has three receivers with at least five touchdowns through the first nine weeks. Five other players at least one touchdown thrown to them by Wentz. In a league that gives the quarterback position a little too much credit, win or lose, Carson Wentz is just having fun playing pitch-n’-catch with his buddies.