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The Eagles want to get back to running the football often and running it efficiently. This much I highlighted earlier today. Coincidentally, Peter King of The MMQB also offered some recent thoughts on Philadelphia's ground game:
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"I think one of the football stories we’ve paid far too little attention to this offseason is what the Eagles have done with their skill positions. Added: running backs DeMarco Murray (the number one rusher in the league in 2014) and Ryan Mathews (number seven in 2013), first-round receiver Nelson Agholor. Subtracted: running back LeSean McCoy, wideout Jeremy Maclin. With Murray, Mathews and Darren Sproles—who, I’m told, is still a major favorite of Chip Kelly—I think you’ll see the Eagles be a top three rushing team in 2015. That is: If they’re efficient at it, the Eagles will be in the top three in the NFL in rushing attempts this year.
I think you’re surprised by that, aren’t you? Don’t be. In Kelly’s first two seasons as an NFL coach, his Eagles were fifth in 2013 and seventh in 2014 in rushing attempts per game. With a quarterback, Sam Bradford, that the Eagles don’t want to expose to more punishment than necessary, and a potential workhorse back in Murray, the Eagles are strong candidates to run the ball more than half of the offensive snaps. That’s something no one thought Kelly would do as an NFL coach."
Some of the things King has to say here are odd. First, I think plenty of people have paid attention to what the Eagles did this offseason. I'm obviously biased since I cover the team locally, but there's been plenty of national buzz surrounding this team. And why would no one think Kelly would run the ball often as an NFL head coach? During Kelly's last season with Oregon in 2012, the Ducks finished with a 685:373 run-to-pass ratio. He's always believed in the run game.
Overall, I don't disagree with King's prediction. It wouldn't be hard to see the Eagles finish top three in rushing attempts. They've clearly invested a lot of resources in the running back position.