Jeff McClane of the Philadelphia Inquirer shoots down any rumors that the Eagles could be interested in free-agent running back Mike Bell.Buried in a piece about the Eagles signing Marlin Jackson, he says that a team source says the Eagles signing Bell is “unlikely.”¬†
While this isn’t big news all by itself, it does remind me that the Eagles still need help at running back.¬† Yes, it’s great that they re-signed Leonard Weaver and he’s extremely versatile and really helps this offense.¬† But am I the only one that doesn’t want to rely on LeSean McCoy just yet?¬†
I don’t know that there is much out there on the free agent market that I’d want to bring in.¬† Thomas Jones is a Chief.¬† Chester Taylor went to the Bears.¬† I really don’t want any parts of Ladainian Tomlinson at this point.¬† Where is Dorsey Levens?¬† Chris Warren?
My real concern is McCoy.¬† I didn’t buy into it one bit when the announcers would say things like “he really looks like a young Brian Westbrook out there.”¬† Really?¬† What game are you watching?¬† I don’t trust LeSean to pick up the blitz at this point, although he’ll have another training camp and a year of seasoning under his belt.¬† I also don’t trust him to hold onto the football.¬† He got away with murder last year holding the ball so far from his body.¬† He was very lucky he didn’t put the ball on the carpet more.¬† You just can’t live like that in the NFL.¬†
So while I’m not thrilled with the free agent options (I’d have been ok with Bell, but he’s hurt quite a bit), the draft could help.¬† I think we all know that they aren’t taking a RB in the first round.¬† That much is clear.¬† But I’ll go on record as saying there is a certain someone I would absolutely love in the second round.¬† I’m not one to hype up college players and predict what they’ll do in the pros because no one knows.¬† No one.¬†
But there is a kid I think could help and his name is Dexter McCluster.¬† Love him.¬† He’s not terribly big (170 lbs or so) and his Combine 40 was a bit slow (in the 4.5 range), but there is no way he has 4.5 speed.¬† This kid is explosive and if you watch him play, he is dynamite.¬† Forget the Combine numbers, watch him in games.¬† I’m a huge McCluster fan and I’m going to be bummed when someone else drafts him.¬†
What are their other options?¬† Sign Sproles to an offer sheet and give up the farm?¬† Sign Leon Washington to an offer sheet and watch the Jets match it (only a second-round tender)?¬† I’m not sure what the Eagles need to do to stabilize the RB situation, but they have to do something.¬† They seem to be quite thin back there and I’m not ready to rely on McCoy and Eldra Buckley.¬†
