Runyan an option?

by BadCo'09 on Apr 15, 2009 6:53 PM EDT

I stumbled on this article and i have been wondering the same thing for a few weeks now.

http://www.yardbarker.com/nfl/articles/Eagles_could_re_sign_Runyun/591572

Basically, Jon Runyan is still rehabbing his knee (and every other body part he sacrificed over the years) and is on schedule to come back in time for training camp. The article suggests the Eagles could resign him if he is healthy then and move him to RT for the last few years in the league.

I think this could be a great option if the FO isn't sold on the OT prospects that could fall to them in the draft, while giving the Eagles some flexibility with the OL in making sure the best people fill the best spots in the line (not to mention adding some good depth).

The Eagles wouldn't need to trade for Peters or pick up a OT early in the draft, giving them more flexibility and possibly picking up some OL in the middle rounds to work with and mold.

So what do you think?

Tweet Comment 23 comments | 0 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

As much of a risk as anything else

I have thought about this a lot lately. While a healthy Runyan is a good option at RT, it still puts us in the position where either Andrews or Herremans moves to LT. While I would love to keep the draft picks by doing this, I am not sure that puts us in a much better situation than if we just have Stacy Andrews play RT and then still move guys around from our current roster. So, in the end, as much as I would like to see Big John back in Green, I don’t think it is the best option. I still feel the best option is to get one of the top 3 tackles in the draft and hope you can do so by only giving up one of your first rounders and some other late rounders.

by Dawk on Apr 15, 2009 7:27 PM EDT reply actions

Agree

This doesn’t solve our LT situaition. I would only bring back big john if stacy isn’t a go for the beginning of the season.

"I'd like to thank my hands for being so great."
-FredEx

by micah15 on Apr 15, 2009 7:45 PM EDT up reply actions

no it wont solve LT

but it will give us more options and more time to better evaluate our linemen

he did a good job playing hurt last season, and moving him to RT leaves one less position to worry about, assuming he is healthy and we don’t pick up a big name OT in the draft or trade

by BadCo'09 on Apr 15, 2009 8:06 PM EDT up reply actions

I'd rather build through the draft

If we’re talking about signing him for a strengthening of depth, I would much rather bring in a rookie. While I love Runyan’s heart and level of production it seems obvious that the Eagles find Stacy Andrews to be a more fitting option. I don’t want to sign Runyan back to have him sit on the bench for another season or two, if we’re getting back ups and adding depth, keep it young. Bring in some fresh talent and have then develop into the system so that they can be serviceable for a decade rather than 2 years.

"Now Sav Rocca played for the Magpies in Australia. I don't know if it's a bird or a pie or what it is." Ike Reese

by The Badassador on Apr 15, 2009 8:13 PM EDT up reply actions

I highly doubt that Runyan would be a back up if he got resigned

He has played every game with the Eagles since he joined in 2000. If the Eagles chose to resign him, having him as a back-up is not an option. He is one of the biggest and most feared players from the NFL as well as a great leader.

"It's the only place where you pull up on the bus and you've got the grandfather, the grandmother, the kids and the grandkids—everybody's flicking you off."

- Michael Strahan

by #1EaglesFan on Apr 15, 2009 8:42 PM EDT up reply actions

But We Signed Stacy

We didn’t sign him to be back-up either and he’s already on the roster. I don’t see us bringing Runyan back.

"Now Sav Rocca played for the Magpies in Australia. I don't know if it's a bird or a pie or what it is." Ike Reese

by The Badassador on Apr 15, 2009 9:17 PM EDT up reply actions

Right but we also lost tra thomas

If they really want Stacy Andrews as a starting tackle, then they can put him as LT and keep Runyan as a RT. I just think the Eagles would lose a lot of their imtimidation factor if Runyan was no longer on the lineup, not to mention he’s still a solid tackle and could provide our younger tackles with a LOT of veteran knowledge. Then again, the Eagles fear age like a seal fears a club, so who knows.

"I think if you go low on Runyan, he may drop the knee somewhere. So I think you have to stay high and just let him baptize you. That's probably what I would do. You know when you go backwards and your head hits first and you wake up as if somebody baptized you or blessed you? I think that would be Runyan right there, all day, every day."

- Titans' cornerback Cortland Finnegan

by #1EaglesFan on Apr 15, 2009 10:54 PM EDT up reply actions

To reiterate our need for veteran leadership...

every tackle, besides andrews and runyan, is 24 or younger. they need to see what an animal from Flint Michigan (one of the most dangerous cities in the country) looks like on the field.

- Titans' cornerback Cortland Finnegan

by #1EaglesFan on Apr 15, 2009 11:03 PM EDT up reply actions

Well if we wanted Runyan

we would have offered him something, it’s not like he’s getting looked at by any one else at this point, he’s ours for the taking, yet the birds haven’t signed him. It would be nice to have him back, but I just don’t see it happening unless its for dirt cheap and we don’t get a tackle early in the draft.

"Now Sav Rocca played for the Magpies in Australia. I don't know if it's a bird or a pie or what it is." Ike Reese

by The Badassador on Apr 16, 2009 12:09 AM EDT up reply actions

no one will sign him

until after his rehab is finished

who would sign an older OL who is just coming off of microfracture knee surgery until they know he is 100% ready to compete

by BadCo'09 on Apr 16, 2009 2:16 AM EDT up reply actions

true they are waiting until they can work him out.

"The 0-2 pitch, swing and a miss! STRUCK HIM OUT! The Philadelphia Phillies are 2008 World Champions of baseball! And let the city celebrate! " - Harry Kalas 1936-2009

by Whodie126 on Apr 16, 2009 9:00 AM EDT up reply actions

Big John

I’d love to see him back. I think he can still play and who knows, he could come back even better if he can get completely healthy. He’s one of the toughest guys in the NFL and has probably been playing hurt for years. Even when he is injured he still pretty effective. Bring him back for a hometown discount, and I’d take this move over any other.

by AllPhillySport on Apr 15, 2009 8:08 PM EDT reply actions

take the big guy back.

he probably doesn’t want to play anywhere else. there’s no guarantee stacy andrews glued together knee stays glued together. it would be cheap and it would be good for incoming draftees.

by snowhill82 on Apr 15, 2009 8:24 PM EDT reply actions

he'll play where there's money just like any other player

E-A-G-L-E-S EAGLES!!!

by Joe_D on Apr 15, 2009 11:04 PM EDT up reply actions

i agree with you, joe

however, i agree with snowhill in that he probably doesnt want to. I would extend that to the point of him probably taking a lesser offer to stay in philly than a little bit more to go somewhere else.

- Titans' cornerback Cortland Finnegan

by #1EaglesFan on Apr 15, 2009 11:07 PM EDT up reply actions

he did it before

plus his family loves it here and how much more money would u see him getting offered if the Eagles make an offer to him?

by BadCo'09 on Apr 16, 2009 2:18 AM EDT up reply actions

Yea I agree … he would be at the least .. a insurance policy pending a healthy rehab..

DeSEAN JACKSON THE ONE

by TheILLadeph on Apr 15, 2009 8:25 PM EDT reply actions

Yardbarker is garbage

If you don’t have a job, perhaps it’s worth monitoring but the article which is cited by yardbarker has this and only this to say on Runyan:

Heckert said trainer Rick Burkholder has stayed in touch with Jon Runyan and is monitoring his rehab.

That said, the Phillyburbs article is a good read in other regards

by cavortingEagle on Apr 15, 2009 9:14 PM EDT reply actions

They should resign him. All the years of hard work he put in. The least he could be is a solid backup.

by N4S on Apr 16, 2009 6:43 AM EDT reply actions

+1 on the yardbarker is garbage but I dont think it is completely out of the question for him to resign if he gets healthy by the time training camp starts.

Herremans-Andrews-Mack-Andrews-Runyan

by dt3 on Apr 16, 2009 11:04 AM EDT reply actions

true

I wouldn’t be upset to see 69 back on the o-line.

by cavortingEagle on Apr 16, 2009 5:56 PM EDT up reply actions

This is the exact thing

That the Pats would do and the Eagle would not. The FO believes it does not need veterans because its system is so great. Runyan is the type of player that would have an impact on a team (assuming he’s healthy) on the field and in the locker room. If the Eagles do bring in Ocho Cinco, wouldn’t you feel better with Runyan there to stare him down if he says something stupid?

www.okupy.com

by royboy on Apr 16, 2009 1:09 PM EDT reply actions

He'll either get resigned or retire

He built his dream home here in south jersey. Hes getting old and is all beat up. Unless the eagles want to give him the chance, i think he’ll decide to retire an eagle. He will probably try to get more involved with the media like he has been the past few years. Id like to see him play one more year at RT though. Then we could wait until next year for a great rookie LT or a free agent. Either way though, you gotta love the guy for his dedication. Heres to hoping he returns.

by andyb on Apr 16, 2009 1:17 PM EDT reply actions