The Eagles stormed to victory against the Colts earlier at Lincoln Financial Field to kick start their pre-season off in the best possible way. One man in particular who did exactly the same was former Panthers running back Kenjon Barner.
Not only did Kenjon Barner show exactly why the Eagles Special Teams Unit is still formidable by scoring a 92 yard touchdown, but the Oregon star also scored a rushing touchdown to further his teams lead.
But what does this mean, if the Eagles have their hearts set on three running backs? Well, they don’t. There is always the option to take a fourth running back and if Barner can continue to put more defenses on the “afterbarner” then it could well become a much more viable one as pre season continues.
@PatMcAfeeShow was feelin himself after that punt @Ike58Reese. Great job by @KBDeuce4 and the Eagles punt return team pic.twitter.com/OotWHOhUUo
— Toby (@phillyknowswins) August 16, 2015
Riley Cooper lined up for the first Kick Return of the afternoon strangely in what may have been a decision to keep Darren Sproles out of a position where he could get injured so early..especially with a huge cloud looming over DeMarco Murray.
So when Barner then goes ahead to shed two tackles and return a 92 yard punt return, it definitely turns some heads. Darren Sproles is dangerous enough on special teams, but having another back who is similarly electric and also of a similar build will only bolster an already dominant unit.
Not only that but as mentioned above, Murray has a big injury cloud over his head currently whilst Matthews is coming off of knee injury in 2014, if in the worst case scenario..(and it would have to be a severely bad case judging off of the success rate of Chip’s sport science programme) both backs went down, it would leave Sproles on his own. The addition of someone who is just as dangerous as Darren Sproles seems like a no brainer if he can prove that the opening game of pre-season wasn’t a fluke.
His stats in his short tenure with Carolina were dismal, managing six carries..for seven yards. So why would Chip Kelly trade a conditional seventh round pick for him? Back when the duo were at Oregon, Barner rushed for 3,623 yards, scoring 41 touchdowns and averaging over six yards per carry. 21 of which were in his senior season. He is a player that has succeeded in this system. He’s a player that knows this system and who knows how Chip wants to play, making his elusive nature..seem almost impossible to contain.
Barner not only puts up big numbers but runs like Chip wants his running backs too. He follows his blocks in almost an identical way to DeMarco Murray but with more fancy footwork. He’s able to remain dynamic as he punches through the holes and his sheer speed makes it easier for him to break tackles..as we saw numerous times in the Colts game.
A big part in Barner’s role in the team will be the availability of DeMarco Murray in the next pre-season game and indeed through the competitive practices with the Ravens. A domino effect will naturally occur, with his first team reps taking a direct impact..be it positive or negative.
But if the way into a team is to truly excel in special teams then Kenjon Barner is a shoe in to make the final roster. But if it isn’t..then he’s still a shoe in to make the final roster. Barner has started his campaign in explosive fashion, if he can continue to be so dominant in the backfield..he may well end it in a fashion equally as explosive.
