Eagles trade for FB Luke Lawton

by JasonB on Jun 6, 2008 3:57 PM EDT in News Comment 7 comments

INDIANAPOLIS -- Colts reserve running back Luke Lawton was traded to the Philadelphia Eagles for a conditional 2009 draft choice.

Lawton played in 11 games last season at running back and special teams. He had five rushes for 13 yards and four receptions for 29 yards, including a one-yard scoring reception against Jacksonville on Dec. 2 for his lone career touchdown.

Lawton spent part of the 2006 season on the Colts' practice squad. He played for the New York Jets in 2005.

Lawton is a big back, at 6-0 240 lbs and hails from McNeese State... which means the Eagles have to be the only team in the NFL with 2 players from McNeese State.

The Eagles trading for another fullback seems like a pretty clear signal that the Dan Kleck experiment hasn't worked..

For now, the Eagles are saying that Lawton is here to compete with Klecko and Davis for the full back job. Between former Colts and McNeese State players, Lawton has several friends on the team.

"This isn't my first rodeo relocating and having to start all over with a new group of guys," Lawton said. "It's going be really good to have Rocky there and Bryan Smith and even Dan Klecko, we were teammates last year, too. Those guys are definitely going to help in the process."

The best part? If he does make the team, fans can convert the old "DUUUUCE" cheer to "LUUUUKE"

Oh and just a small part of me thought of Luke Walton when I read this headline... I don't know why.

Thanks to Shake and Bake for tip

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I really don't have much

on how good of a fullback he was. The Colts have nearly no use for a traditional FB. When they put a second back behind Manning it’s usually just one of their backup RBs to give a different look for the D. All the Colts backs can block and they don’t use a lead blocker except on rare occasions (Klecko and Darrell Reid).

I’m happy with it from the Colts end. Lawton probably wasn’t making the roster since they Mike Hart who is drawing lots of comparisons to former Colts “fullback” James Mungro, as a solidly built RB who can grind out short yards and be a good checkdown receiver.

my blog http://shakennbaken.blogspot.com

by shake n bake on Jun 6, 2008 4:16 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

The Eagles really don’t use the fullback all that much either…

Bleeding Green Nation - Philadelphia Eagles Blog

by JasonB on Jun 6, 2008 4:20 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

To say he was a former Jet is an overstatement. I honestly think he returned one kick (and it was a fair catch). They very rarely used him, and when they did (again, to the best of my recollection) it was on 3rd and short run plays because he can throw his body around. I guess if the Eagles are looking for a decent blocker (even on 3rd and long situations for an extra back) then he’s a good investment.

FrankD from Pensburgh.com

by FrankD on Jun 6, 2008 4:38 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Hunt days are numbered because we added some competition at FB ?

Wow. Really disagree there. I thin it’s more a signal that Klecko might not be ready to play FB, and they needed competition for Davis.

by bubqr on Jun 6, 2008 4:39 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I think both Klecko and Dorenbos are done. Seems like the Eagles are bringing guys who can also long snap.

Interestingly, with all the “competition” at fullback does this mean a change in the offense? Will there be more use of a fullback?

Though, what is he talking about when he said this:

"I’ve always been a fan of the Eagles," Lawton said during a conference call today. "They have a good offense for a fullback. I’ve watched their fullbacks in the past and they’ve always seemed to get a few dump-off passes here and there. They are always in there playing. I really like the chance to get in there as an every-down fullback.

Wha-wha-what? When were the fullbacks always in there for the Eagles? Good offense for a fullback? Is he talking about our PHILADELPHIA Eagles?

by Baron Dainer Von Tresvant on Jun 6, 2008 11:08 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

The only question I have is this: Why has the fullback position gotten so much attention this offseason?

Destroyer of Subject Lines :3™

by yomjoseki on Jun 7, 2008 10:59 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I have been a bit critical of the notion that Klecko can be an every-down FB and I think this proves it. Perhaps it isn’t quite the end of the Klecko experiment, but at least it proves that the coaches aren’t overly optimistic about both his and Davis’ abilities. The amount of shuffling that has taken place so far this offseason is certainly interesting.

The NFC East goes through Philly.

by LeonSA on Jun 7, 2008 11:37 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs