FanPost

Do the Eagles really need another RB?

I've been one of the biggest fans pounding the table for Howie to trade for a RB (I still badly want Carlos Hyde), but something crossed my mind. Do the Eagles really need an elite running game? Or do they just need something functional to go from 1st and 10 to 2nd and not negative? Someone who can help grind the clock down in crunch time and not fumble away the game?

Random stat of the day - In the last 10 years, no team who rostered a player they drafted in the top 25 has made it to the SB. Donald Brown was drafted 27th overall in 2010 the year the Colts won and he was a backup.

Just for fun, let's take a look at previous Superbowl champions and see how their RB situation affected them.

2016 - NE Patriots - L.Blount was a touchdown machine for the Patriots, clearly thrived on a short yardage role, but had a meager 3.8 YPA on the year. During the SB itself he completely vanished to the tune of 11 carries for 39 yards and the team relied on receiving specialist James White to take over the game for them. Blount is currently not on any team.

2015 - DEN Broncos - In 2015 the Bronco's had no idea who they wanted to be their starting RB. It was a constant back and forth between Ronnie Hillman (who is now on the Chargers after bouncing around a few teams last year) and CJ Anderson (consistently injured). By both accounts, either RB had a very good year that year, that were clearly the product of defenses focusing on Peyton Manning and the passing game, giving them wide open boxes to run through.

2014 - NE Patriots - This was more of the L.Blount you would of expected here. 547 yards on the year with 5 TDs, pretty mediocre numbers. The team relied more on pass catching specialist Shane Vereen then, who had more yards receiving than rushing that year.

2013 - SEA Seahawks - This is the one team I will say this. Having a dominate run game really supported the team to winning a SB and pushing hard through the season. This was one of his down years for Seattle, averaging 4.2 YPA on a 1257 yard season with 12 TD's. Though to be fair, he didn't show up during the game itself here either. Averaging 2.6 YPA on 39 yards.

2012 - BAL Ravens - Ray Rice put up 1143 yards on the ground and 478 receiving yards. During the SB itself he only averaged 2.9 YPA though.

2011 - NY Giants - Another team with a two-headed monster at RB like Denver. Jacobs and Bradshaw formed a pretty good tandem, but no true RB1 on the team. Neither RB cracked 700 yards on the season, but Bradshaw had a really damn good SB game.

2010 - GB Packers - Has this team ever really utilized a true RB on it's roster since Ryan Grant? 2010 their lead back was Brandon Jackson, who barely cracked 700 yards and wasn't active for the SB. The next season Jackson went to the Browns and was released a couple games into the season.

2009 - NO Saints - Yet again, a two-headed monster at RB, this one not quite as good as some above though. Piere Thomas was the lead back, and a pretty decent one considering. This team was extremely pass happy and won with a very angry defense (bounty gate) and Drew Brees arm. The running game was such a non-thought to opposing defenses that Pierre Thomas averaged over 5 YPA

2008 - PIT Steelers - The year the Steelers finally joined this century and let loose Big Ben's arm. Willie Parker was the lead RB and averaged 3.8 YPA and just under 800 yards on the season.

2007 - NY Giants - See 2011

Summary Thoughts from this - There's three things you need to win a Superbowl or have a Superbowl caliber team. A franchise QB with elite passing options (whether that's receiving backs, TE's or receivers), a coaching staff that knows how to gameplan and adjust mid-game, and a top 10 defense.

Teams that have a great passing attack will open up the box for a RB to get them functional yards. You need a RB who can get you 3-5 yards consistently and not the negative plays setting up 2nd and manageable, that doesn't need to be an elite running back. Rarely does the "rushing king" of each season make it past the first weekend of the playoffs, let alone get to the big game. The rushing king hasn't made it to a superbowl since 2005.

The Eagles have in place what could be an elite passing attack. Wentz has the makings to be a franchise QB, Alshon Jeffery when healthy is arguably a top 5 receiver with Matthews as a very good slot receiver and Ertz a top 5 caliber TE. Year two under Schwartz can easily be a top 10 unit if the pass rush is improved enough to cover up the mistake that is the corners. The only real question mark here is Doug Pederson as the headcoach.

I don't believe the Eagles NEED an elite running game, they just need something that is good enough. Which I believe they have currently on the roster in Sproles, Smallwood and DP.