Free agency is only a few weeks away now and one of the most notable running backs set to test those waters is 33-year old, DeAngelo Williams. The eleven year veteran has spent the last two years with Pittsburgh, rushing for 343 yards and 4 touchdowns during the 2016 season, making a huge impact early on in relief of the suspended Le’Veon Bell. Tonight however, he revealed one team that he probably won’t be playing for in 2017, the Philadelphia Eagles.
One fan reached out to the 2009 Pro Bowler, stating:
@DeAngeloRB come to philly #FlyEaglesFly
— edgar (@NutteryBipples) February 7, 2017
Surprisingly, Williams had more than just a simple “no” in mind.
Hahahaha u guys have a collection of backs just don't want to commit to the run u want the qb to do to much https://t.co/6ifKsr942J
— DeAngelo Williams (@DeAngeloRB) February 7, 2017
The Eagles currently have six running backs on their roster, including rookie Wendell Smallwood along with veterans Darren Sproles and Ryan Mathews. The Eagles were primed to launch a committee assault in 2016 and ironically enough even though that never came to fruition, their most impressive rushing effort was in the demolition of the Steelers in week 3. Both Kenjon Barner and Wendell Smallwood scored their first rushing touchdowns en route to a total of 125 yards rushing between the committee.
However as the season progressed, the committee began to thin and more and more reps were placed on the shoulders of Darren Sproles and Ryan Mathews. The injury bug began to set in, ending the season’s of Wendell Smallwood, Ryan Mathews and Kenjon Barner prematurely. which led to the acquisition of Terrell Watson, a flash of potential from Byron Marshall and an assertion that “the little engine that could”, Darren Sproles, still has it.
In his rookie season, Carson Wentz attempted a stunning 607 passes..including a season high 60 passes against the Bengals, prompting plenty of criticism about an offense that was losing balance rapidly. While the comments of the former Carolina Panther certainly hold weight after a year in which the pass/run ratio was 607/392, the Eagles backfield could be primed to become both younger and thinner as the offseason progresses. The direction of the backfield remains a huge unknown, but signing a 33-year old running back probably won’t be on Howie’s to do list..so that’s another thing the Eagles “won’t be committing to.”
Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
