Boston Scott Drama: Did Colts attempt to steal Eagles Running Back?
The Philadelphia Eagles are confident in the running backs on the roster. Head coach Nick Sirianni was quick to clear up any misconceptions about the room after losing Miles Sanders in free agency amid rumors that Ezekiel Elliott wants to enter the nest. The roster is fine as constructed.
Sirianni spoke candidly about his expectations for his revamped backfield when addressing reporters at the NFL Annual Meetings on March 28. The addition of Rashaad Penny, combined with the return of Boston Scott, along with Trey Sermon and Kenny Gainwell, gives the Eagles untapped potential and enviable depth at the position.
“I’m really excited about that room,” Sirianni told reporters. “I’m really excited about the guys we have in that room.”
When the topic turned back to Elliott, Sirianni made sure to shower the two-time rushing champion with praise. He didn’t rule out the Eagles signing him, although it appears highly unlikely that they would bring in an aging player from a hated NFC East rival. Remember Orlando Scandrick? Sure, it’s not apples to apples but the rotten core is still lingering around 2 Novacare Way.
“He’s a heck of a player,” Sirianni said of Elliott. “He’s obviously a great, great player who I had the opportunity to watch from our sideline, you know four times in the last two years, and I just think he’s a really outstanding player.”
Did Shane Steichen Attempt to Steal Boston Scott?
The most interesting comment Sirianni made on Tuesday – one that seemingly flew under the radar – had to do with Boston Scott. He was hyping up the Giant Killer’s dual-threat ability out of the backfield and as a kick returner when, suddenly out of the blue, Sirianni brought up former offensive coordinator Shane Steichen. He hinted that (maybe) the new Colts head coach had attempted to lure Boston Scott to Indianapolis in free agency.
“Boston Scott is back, I think that’s somebody you always want to have on your team,” Sirianni said. “And I’m really glad we have him, especially because I know how much Shane likes him, too, so I don’t know if there was anything going on [there] but I know how many times Shane said, ‘Man, I love Boston.’ We all love Boston.”
It was an interesting off-the-cuff remark from Sirianni, possibly sparked by Jonathan Gannon’s covert move stealing Nick Rallis. Gannon mentioned he “made a mistake” by not requesting permission first. It may have angered Sirianni, but stuff like that happens all the time. The Eagles couldn’t block Gannon from interviewing Rallis unless they were going to promote him to defensive coordinator. Which wasn’t the reported plan.
Eagles RB Depth Chart: Rashaad Penny Gets First Crack
Rashaad Penny will get the first crack at replacing Miles Sanders as the starting running back in Philadelphia. Sirianni talked about how he had been scouting him since his college days at San Diego State. The 27-year-old was a first-round pick of the Seattle Seahawks in 2018 when Sirianni was offensive coordinator for the Colts. No doubt he has started drawing up RPO plays for Penny, with Jalen Hurts under center, all these years later.
“We feel really good about the room as it is right now,” Sirianni said. “Love the addition of Rashaad, wanted to coach him for a long time, you know he was playing at San Diego State when I was with the San Diego Chargers. Really excited about that addition.”
The current depth chart reads like this: Rashaad Penny (RB1), Kenny Gainwell (RB2), Boston Scott (RB3), Trey Sermon (RB4), with Kennedy Brooks lurking on a futures contract. The Eagles have also been linked to Texas star Bijan Robinson in the draft, a guy the team brought in for a top-30 visit on March 20. He would be an explosive weapon if they wanted to spend the 10th overall pick on a running back. Robinson rushed for 3,410 yards and 33 touchdowns over three years at Texas.
Photo by Rich Graessle/Icon Sportswire
