Training Camp Preview: Backfield

With Marty Mornhinweg expected to call the plays the entire season, the backfield can expect the increased workload to last from September to hopefully February this year. In training camp last year, Andy Reid talked about having a big running game and balanced playcalling, but he simply didn’t follow through. Mornhinweg made it happen, and he should have the opportunity to have control for the entire season.

1. Brian Westbrook. This Pro Bowl snub will get back at it in 2007. Despite missing a game due to an injury and not playing week 17 due to clinching the division, Westbrook was among the league leaders in yards and touchdowns. His great receiving ability makes him one of the most unique threats in football today. He was huge for the Eagles late in the season when McNabb went down, and hopefully he still has a key role when McNabb is back in the lineup. He played great in the playoffs and really carried the offense. Westbrook’s goal in camp should be to make sure he’s in shape and ready for the season and get off the football field without hurting himself. He’s the unquestioned starter and there aren’t any major differences in the offense to learn. Get your reps and get ready to go.

2. Correll Buckhalter. After remaining healthy for an entire season for the first time in what seems like forever, Buckhalter added a little bit to the Eagles offense, especially down the stretch. He’s a good back between the tackles, and he also has some good speed. His receiving skills have improved greatly, and he doesn’t fumble the ball as much as he used to.But here’s something Buckhalter has to do: he has to stay healthy for a second consecutive year, which would be the first time in his career. He’s had three serious, season ending knee injuries that have prevented him from stringing together two straight years. He might not get that many reps during the preseason games, both to keep him out of the trainer’s room and to get the younger guys reps. However, he’s still going to have to work hard to keep his carries up. He showed loyalty to the Eagles by re-signing, but draft pick Tony Hunt is looking to touch the ball too.

3. Tony Hunt. I called the Eagles picking him well over a year before the draft. His abilities and style made complete sense for the Eagles, and they made a good pick in the third round. He’s very physical. He can be the bruising RB people have been clamoring for for years, and he’ll be a great compliment to Westbrook. He was able to catch out of the backfield for PSU, and he can also block, so he can do everything Andy Reid asks of RBs. Eventually, he’s going to get his carries, and I think he’ll start to get involved more and more as the season wears on. Potentially, he could be used as a guy late in games to wear down defenses, and even work into a goal line back role, if the Eagles should choose to go down that road. However, history isn’t on rookies’ sides in the backfield. They generally don’t play early under Reid, so Hunt is going to have to show great progress in camp.

4. Nate Ilaoa. He’s only a 7^th round pick and he’s going to have to work hard on special teams to make the roster in his rookie season, but he has some pretty good talent. He might’ve slipped to the 7^th round because he was underexposed not only because he plays several time zones away from everyone, but Hawaii is a pass happy offense that isn’t exactly known for producing runners. Despite his diminutive height, he’s very strong and can run over guys in open space. Obviously, playing in June Jones’ offense has helped him develop an ability that’s key in the Eagles’ offense: he can catch the ball. He used to be a WR until being converted to a RB. Also, because of the heavy use of the shotgun formation, if he wasn’t going out to catch a pass, he would be blocking. He has good ability, but he might just not be good enough to make the roster this year. As a 7^th round pick, he should be able to make it through waivers to the practice squad.

5. Ryan Moats. He was drafted to be Westbrook-lite in case we had trouble getting Westbrook re-signed, but there was no trouble. Westbrook is an Eagle for the next few years, and Moats is toiling at the bottom of the depth chart. At the end of his rookie season in 2005, he showed some promise with a couple long TD runs, but he just hasn’t done anything since. Ever since the preseason last year, he’s been tentative. He’s not explosive, and he doesn’t get going north and south quick enough. There are places he could succeed. Someone like Mike Shanahan could discipline him and Moats would fit in their offense. Here, he just doesn’t have anything to add. He brings no unique skill to the offense, and he’s been nothing but a liability on special teams. He was simply a draft pick that got caught in a numbers game and doesn’t have a place here.

6. Reno Mahe? Hopefully not, but I wouldn’t be the least bit surprised.

1. Thomas Tapeh. Tapeh won a three way battle for the spot in camp last year, after missing all of 2006 with a serious hip injury. Known as a ball carrier when drafted out of Minnesota, he showed absolutely none of those abilities in 2006. Instead, he became a great blocker, opening up holes for Westbrook all season. His game was literally a 180 degree turn from what everyone previously knew about him. It would be nice if he showed improvement in his ball handling ability. He never picked up any yards running the ball and appeared to be clumsy catching it. If he improves his ball skills just a little bit, he’ll be one of the most complete fullbacks in the league.

2. Jason Davis. A training camp injury forced this rookie season to end abruptly, which was nice for him because it prevented him from being cut. He was undrafted out of college, and he was involved in a pretty good battle for the position before his injury. Even with a broken finger last year, Davis did not want to miss a snap in practice. He’s one of those throwback players that take the field even when he’s hurt, and he wants to make a difference on the field every play. He’s a good blocker, but other than that, not much is known about him. It’ll be interesting to see if this is a serious competition, or if Davis is just there as a camp body.

3. Jeremy Cain. I don’t know anything about the guy. He’s listed as a FB/LS on the website, so I’m assuming he’s here for his special teams, not his fullback ability. He’s also from UMass, making it easy to assume he’s not that good at football. Camp body.

Position Battles: Buckhalter v. Hunt for C.O.P. back, Ilaoa, Moats v. roster limits, Tapeh v. Davis

I expect Buckhalter to assume the same role as last year without Hunt taking away many carries. However, later in the year, I think a guy with talent like Hunt is going to have to be on the field. The Eagles for the most part keep their draft picks on the roster, so Ilaoa has a good shot to hang on this year with the Eagles possibly carrying four backs. I expect Tapeh to keep his job, considering the nice job he did last year recovering from his injury. There’s definitely a lot more to be decided in camp here than there was with the QB’s, so the RB situation is something to keep an eye on.