Duce Staley Finally Explains Eagles' Bizarre Running Back Situation
After much speculation about what exactly the plan for using the Eagles' various running backs is, assistant coach Duce Staley finally gave us an explanation on Tuesday.
For the first few games this season, the team has used a multitude of 'backs depending on the situation and game. Darren Sproles, Miles Sanders, and Jordan Howard have each alternated dominating the workload and ceding carries thus far in 2019. And, after being cornered into explaining things, Staley confirmed that the team will continue with this method going forward.
Duce Staley understands as well as anybody what the Eagles' running backs have experienced lately.
— NBC Sports Philadelphia (@NBCSPhilly) October 1, 2019
There will be times they don’t get the ball. There will be times they don’t play. And they will deal with it, writes @RoobNBCS https://t.co/TPiMbmnO5f
As long as they keep emphasizing the run game, no matter who the bell cow is!
It may be unconventional, but there's no denying the strategy has been effective in crucial situations. In the Eagles' victory over the Packers last Thursday at Lambeau Field, the team's 176 rushing yards were the main catalyst in edging out Aaron Rodgers and company in the fourth quarter.
One of my favorite plays in football...
— Fran Duffy (@fduffy3) September 27, 2019
the Wham play.
Extremely well-executed from the #Eagles here against the #Packers. Dallas Goedert and Jason Peters get outstanding blocks, Sanders trusts it and flies through the crease, creating an X-play in the run game #FlyEaglesFly pic.twitter.com/XmW7UJf6vc
Staley refers to this multiple man attack as a "three-headed monster," involving constant rotation between the 'backs. And as long as it continues to help win games, and no one's ego is bruised, there's no reason to change anything up.
In today's NFL where the running game is more deemphasized, compared to previous eras, it's refreshing to see a team that uses it to diversify their offensive attack.