Eagles RB D’Andre Swift not thrilled by his depiction on HBO’s Hard Knocks
You’ve probably heard this before. There are two views of HBO’s highly-popular Hard Knocks imprint. As fans and members of the media, there’s a beauty to it. Never before have we been allowed as in-depth a look at the behind-the-scenes aspects of the training camp and, now, the regular-season experience of many of the teams we have watched for years. There’s another side to Hard Knocks though, and it’s one new Philadelphia Eagles running back D’Andre Swift experienced almost one full year ago.
Through the years, there have been players and coaches who are less enthusiastic about the Hard Knocks experience. Cameras are everywhere. Sometimes, they can get in the way of the day-to-day business structure, and in D’Andre’s case, they can paint a less-than-favorable picture.
D’Andre Swift is looking to shed what he believes is an unfair take on his game, one that a scene on Hard Knocks may have helped perpetuate.
Poll the Eagles fans you know and most will tell you Philadelphia’s running back room has been elevated from where it was a season ago. That isn’t to take anything away from Miles Sanders. His most recent campaign was his most impressive, and he earned a trip to the Pro Bowl. Still, teaming D’Andre Swift with Rashaad Penny, Kenneth Gainwell, and Boston Scott has to be seen as an upgrade and an overhaul. There are questions though.
Penny has been labeled as injury-prone, and thanks in part to his depiction on the HBO brand, some believe Swift lacks physicality.
D’Andre spoke with select members of the Philly media recently. Here’s what he said on the matter.
"The way it, kind of, came off, I would say… I know who I am. I know what I’m about. I know I’m as tough as they come, but what Hard Knocks and everything, how they portrayed it, I didn’t like it, but I can’t do nothing about it but go out there and showcase what I am and who I am and what I’m about. I know what I can do and who I am."
What Swift is referring to was the ‘tough love’ approach and hard coaching he got from former Eagles running back and coach, then-Lions assistant coach Duce Staley during a large portion of the first episode of Training Camp With the Detroit Lions.
The clip focused on Swift’s attempts to bounce some plays outside when running between the tackles may have been more appropriate and a few instances in which he ran out of bounds to avoid contact.
Couple that with the injuries, and some began to see Swift as a back who was prone to injury, one that may not be able to meet the physical demands of the demolition derby known as pro football. Here’s another take on that Hard Knocks episode. Thank WoodwardSports for the clip. Subscribe to their YouTube Channel
Let’s settle this quickly and honestly. Let’s not preserve self-preservation for softness. The running back position is the most punishing in the NFL. Careers there are shorter on average than most of the other positions played on the football field.
Some of D’Andre’s decision-making in the past was about keeping himself fresh and healthy, but anyone needing a demonstration of whether he’s physical or lacks toughness can throw on some tape from last season. If you still have doubts, look back even further to his days in the SEC and what he did at the prep level.
Now, on one hand, Duce was right. Sometimes, one must avoid the temptation of trying to score on the big play and stick their head in to gain three or four yards. sometimes a tailback must stay in bounds, cut upfield, and gain a few more yards. On the other hand, D’Andre is all types of special. He’s someone that should be allowed to freelance and make a ‘business decision’ or two as Deion Sanders used to say.
We’re greedy. We want to see both physicality and a healthy RB1 that’s available for what we hope is a deep playoff run. He doesn’t have to do it alone. Philadelphia will again use the committee approach. It’s going to be fun to watch this young man work.
He says he’s been up for a couple of nights thinking about it. Honestly, we have as well.
