Philadelphia Eagles running backs should smile about this one

Can the Philadelphia Eagles field a 1,000-yard rusher in a ‘committee’ system? Here’s a stat that may make that seem like a possibility.

Okay, let’s do a roll call. Every other season, it seems like we go into the offseason saying the Philadelphia Eagles need running backs, and wide receivers, and cornerbacks. Then, like clockwork, for the second season in a row, there was some overhaul.

The conversation changed from playoff runs and what to do with Nick Foles to compensatory picks and free agency. Before, we knew it, we were right back in that time warp, and the conversation was, again, Philly needs running backs and wide receivers and cornerbacks.

Before you know it, excitement was back in the Eagles faithful. There was a trade that brought DeSean Jackson home. There was the re-signing of Ronald Darby. Philly even found a way to land Jordan Howard. Now, with the drafting of Miles Sanders, the Eagles backfield has gone from having so many question marks to having, well, not as many question marks.

So, on to that roll call we talked about. Check out the names: Josh Adams, Corey Clement, Donnel Pumphrey, Boston Scott (who head coach Doug Pederson loves), Wendell Smallwood, and the aforementioned Howard and Sanders.

Sure, all of these guys won’t be on the squad on opening day, but that’s just about as good a lineup as you can find in the NFL. Just about every time we’ve mentioned the Eagles’ revamped offensive line, we’ve done so in the vein of discussing the health of Carson Wentz and keeping him upright.

Here’s something else to ponder though. These guys can clear some holes in the running game too. The past two years have proved that, and with the best all-around center in the game anchoring the line, Jason Kelce, and with the guys ‘The Birds’ have in the nest, Philly will look to improve on a top-ten, run-blocking grade that was given to them by those statisticians over at Pro Football Focus.

Take a look:

Yep, that’s good enough to make them the NFC East’s best. Here’s what we know. Wentz has a lot of guys to spread the ball around to. Philly will, again, use the ‘committee’ system in the run game, but with the guys they have up front, is it possible there may be a 1,000-yard rusher in the bunch? Josh Adams appears to be the team’s lone workhorse, but are we even certain that he makes the roster?

Don’t scoff at the notion. If someone gets the hot hand and if someone gets hurt (let’s hope no one does), that may be a very real possibility.