Hawkeye Posted November 10, 2021 Share Posted November 10, 2021 Can someone explain why the Eagles best running back has been on the practice squad all season? I'll wait... https://www.inquirer.com/eagles/eagles-jordan-howard-active-roster-miles-sanders-20211110.html The Eagles signed Jordan Howard to the active roster Wednesday, keeping the veteran running back eligible to play on game days. After spending the first nine weeks of the season on the practice squad, Howard earned his way onto the 53-man roster with strong performances in the team’s last two games. The 27-year-old has given the Eagles’ offense a jolt as it transitions to a run-heavy scheme. He has 128 rushing yards on 29 attempts and three touchdowns in the last two games, both of which he was called up for the practice squad going into the game. "He’s done his job when he’s went in there,” Eagles coach Nick Sirianni said Wednesday. "He’s hit the holes nice and downhill. And he’s a big man. And to have to tackle him — what did he have, 19, 17 carries? To have to tackle him 17 times in a game, that will wear a defense down. And so, he’s just given us a good spark there in the run game and the way that he runs hard and he’s just being himself.” Because of the NFL’s new rules regarding practice-squad players, Howard wasn’t eligible to get the weekend promotion more than twice, meaning the team had to elevate him in order for him to dress. Howard has endured a turbulent stretch after starting his career as a featured running back with the Bears and even making the Pro Bowl after running for 1,313 yards his rookie season. Before the 2019 season, Chicago traded him to the Eagles, where he spent half the year as the starting back before an injury and an expanded role for Miles Sanders led to him getting a diminished workload. He was released by the Miami Dolphins the following year and came to the Eagles last summer trying to get his career back on track. When Sanders was placed on injured reserve with an ankle injury suffered against the Las Vegas Raiders in Week 7, Howard got his opportunity and capitalized. Sanders isn’t eligible to return from IR until after this Sunday’s game against the Denver Broncos, meaning Howard will likely continue to have a prominent role in the offense. "He runs hard, he’s always falling forward, he has a lot of power when he runs and he’s a great pass protector,” Lane Johnson said. "He doesn’t say a whole lot, he moves in silence, but he’s a great back, man. He has been for a long time.” 4 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EazyEaglez Posted November 10, 2021 Share Posted November 10, 2021 Congratulations to Jordan Howard finally being an active member of the roster. I think we should note that Howard is fresh so that is helping him along right now. We shall see how he plays as he gets more wear and tear on his body. The most annoying part of all this is the Eagles basically ignored the run game until Sanders got hurt. Even if he were on the main roster I doubt they would have used him just like they ignored Boston Scott all those weeks too. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hawkeye Posted November 10, 2021 Author Share Posted November 10, 2021 12 minutes ago, EazyEaglez said: Congratulations to Jordan Howard finally being an active member of the roster. I think we should note that Howard is fresh so that is helping him along right now. We shall see how he plays as he gets more wear and tear on his body. The most annoying part of all this is the Eagles basically ignored the run game until Sanders got hurt. Even if he were on the main roster I doubt they would have used him just like they ignored Boston Scott all those weeks too. It's just another example of the poor player personnel evaluations being made by Howie and Nickie. 3 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Penn7980 Posted November 10, 2021 Share Posted November 10, 2021 This should have been done earlier. Howard is a proven RB with a downhill running style not present among the RBs with the team. Frankly, can't understand why the coaches did not see the valve of him earlier, as he is a veteran player and was with the team before. The headline on Eagles website read as if they were forced to the promotion (can't keep moving him between roster and PS) and not a move they whole-heartly endorsed. Glad that Howard is now on the roster and available to the team. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xxeaglesfanxx Posted November 10, 2021 Share Posted November 10, 2021 Should have been on the active roster from day 1. They would have likely won a couple more games if they’d a been running the ball like they are now. 7 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kiwieagle Posted November 11, 2021 Share Posted November 11, 2021 No surprises given his play over the last two weeks, and the fact that he could no longer be elevated from PS for gamedys Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kiwieagle Posted November 11, 2021 Share Posted November 11, 2021 3 hours ago, Penn7980 said: The headline on Eagles website read as if they were forced to the promotion (can't keep moving him between roster and PS) and not a move they whole-heartly endorsed. Glad that Howard is now on the roster and available to the team. That is true but its also a no-brainer and just a function of the new PS rules. He proved he has recovered from his 2019 injury and clearly belonged on the roster a couple of weeks ago in Detroit but there was no reason to make this move last week because they could and did simply protect and elevate him from the PS. Now that is no longer an option available, he is on the 53 because they clearly want to keep playing him. Remember he was clearly not recovered last year and was awful for the Dolphins. Not so much anymore - he is back to being his old self and we are lucky to have him Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EazyEaglez Posted November 11, 2021 Share Posted November 11, 2021 4 hours ago, Hawkeye said: It's just another example of the poor player personnel evaluations being made by Howie and Nickie. I still believe Howie controls the 53. Nick plays the hand he’s dealt. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
time2rock Posted November 11, 2021 Share Posted November 11, 2021 No doubt Howard had two good games in a row … but they were against 2 of the worst run defenses. Much bigger tests these next 2 weeks when we face Denver and New Orleans … 2 of the better run defenses. Regardless, glad to see him on the 53. Been calling for it since roster cutdown. 3 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brkmsn Posted November 11, 2021 Share Posted November 11, 2021 5 hours ago, Hawkeye said: Can someone explain why the Eagles best running back has been on the practice squad all season? I'll wait... First, I'm not sure he's our best RB. I am not surprised, however, how well he's been running for us. A lot of fans have claimed he was washed up, basing that assumption on his poor YPC average in his Miami stint. Howard is not "washed up." He's exactly what we're seeing him as --- an effective downhill runner with enough size to break tackles, carry a large workload, and wear down defenses. The reason I don't think he's our "best" RB is because he's never really been a large factor as a receiver. Sanders, Gainwell, and Scott are all good RBs also. I'm not sure if giving Sanders 20 carries a game will ever be a good idea. So Howard is probably the best workhorse in the stable. But Sanders can do things Howard can't. Gainwell is a rookie with a lot of growing to do, but he's viewed more as a receiving specialist at this stage. Scott is a dependable backup that is capable of being in on any down. I've been high on Howard since Miami waived him last year. Had our coach been willing to use him (like he did in his original stint here), we may have won a couple more games late last season. I'm just glad he's getting a chance now. The other 3 backs are too similar. Howard gives us a different type of back, which is important. The other thing that I think is really boosting our run game is keeping Hurts out of the shotgun . 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EazyEaglez Posted November 11, 2021 Share Posted November 11, 2021 15 hours ago, time2rock said: No doubt Howard had two good games in a row … but they were against 2 of the worst run defenses. Much bigger tests these next 2 weeks when we face Denver and New Orleans … 2 of the better run defenses. Regardless, glad to see him on the 53. Been calling for it since roster cutdown. It’s TATE. It’s the Fulgham/Nasty Nate world. A couple of good games and that guy is the greatest thing since sliced bread. People always overreact to a player good or bad around here. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
time2rock Posted November 11, 2021 Share Posted November 11, 2021 1 hour ago, EazyEaglez said: It’s TATE. It’s the Fulgham/Nasty Nate world. A couple of good games and that guy is the greatest thing since sliced bread. People always overreact to a player good or bad around here. He looked solid in preseason and we do have a need for a more physical, downhill runner. Seems like a no brainer that he should be on the roster. Not saying he is special, but our roster is stronger with him on it than without. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EazyEaglez Posted November 11, 2021 Share Posted November 11, 2021 21 minutes ago, time2rock said: He looked solid in preseason and we do have a need for a more physical, downhill runner. Seems like a no brainer that he should be on the roster. Not saying he is special, but our roster is stronger with him on it than without. I agree with that. I thought they used Gainwell way too much earlier, but my only point is perhaps we shouldn’t over value Jordan Howard. He has been given up on by three teams now (including the Eagles) so I don’t think we should be acting like the run game is now solved for years to come. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vileborg Posted November 11, 2021 Share Posted November 11, 2021 2 hours ago, EazyEaglez said: It’s TATE. It’s the Fulgham/Nasty Nate world. A couple of good games and that guy is the greatest thing since sliced bread. People always overreact to a player good or bad around here. Jordan Howard was a top 5 producing back before he came to Philly. This isn't some stretch guy that is borderline NFL. This guy is a top back in the league that we've had on the practice squad because our front office ****s. He produced an average of 1100 yards per year until he comes here and only 200 yards per year since. This is a classic case of us sucking at utilizing good players and making them look like crap. 3 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EazyEaglez Posted November 11, 2021 Share Posted November 11, 2021 4 minutes ago, Vileborg said: Jordan Howard was a top 5 producing back before he came to Philly. This isn't some stretch guy that is borderline NFL. This guy is a top back in the league that we've had on the practice squad because our front office ****s. He produced an average of 1100 yards per year until he comes here and only 200 yards per year since. This is a classic case of us sucking at utilizing good players and making them look like crap. Howard got a big contract from Miami and they dumped before the year was over. The Bears loved him and his production so much they traded him to the Eagles for a low round pick. The bottom line is Jordan Howard will not fix the Eagles run situation for a long period of time. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
time2rock Posted November 11, 2021 Share Posted November 11, 2021 1 hour ago, EazyEaglez said: I agree with that. I thought they used Gainwell way too much earlier, but my only point is perhaps we shouldn’t over value Jordan Howard. He has been given up on by three teams now (including the Eagles) so I don’t think we should be acting like the run game is now solved for years to come. Not that I’m trying to compare Howard to a QB, but so was Foles (was given up on by multiple teams). He played well here his first stint, stunk everywhere else, then returned and played the best ball of his career. Just saying, sometimes players are at their best in certain environments. Seems to be the case with Howard here in Philly in much the same way it was for Foles. And I don’t view Howard as resolution to a problem … more a good piece to have in the mix. 2 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EazyEaglez Posted November 11, 2021 Share Posted November 11, 2021 29 minutes ago, time2rock said: Not that I’m trying to compare Howard to a QB, but so was Foles (was given up on by multiple teams). He played well here his first stint, stunk everywhere else, then returned and played the best ball of his career. Just saying, sometimes players are at their best in certain environments. Seems to be the case with Howard here in Philly in much the same way it was for Foles. And I don’t view Howard as resolution to a problem … more a good piece to have in the mix. Jordan Howard was like 4th in rushing his first few seasons with Chicago so he didn’t stink there. He was better there than he was here. Actually in Philly most of his stuff was just a sample size. Never a full season of work. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SPIDER-MAN Posted November 11, 2021 Share Posted November 11, 2021 I was ecstatic the team traded for Howard, but I place most of his disappearance on Howie and the medical staff while Pederson was here. The guy is only 27 and should have a nice career here if the front office doesn't screw it up. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kz! Posted November 11, 2021 Share Posted November 11, 2021 1 hour ago, Vileborg said: Jordan Howard was a top 5 producing back before he came to Philly. This isn't some stretch guy that is borderline NFL. This guy is a top back in the league that we've had on the practice squad because our front office ****s. He produced an average of 1100 yards per year until he comes here and only 200 yards per year since. This is a classic case of us sucking at utilizing good players and making them look like crap. I like Howard, but if he were a "top back in the league" he would have never made it to our practice squad and he'd be starting elsewhere. He's a solid RB coming off a terrible season for the Dolphins that couldn't find a starting job or even a spot on an active roster this offseason. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EazyEaglez Posted November 11, 2021 Share Posted November 11, 2021 3 minutes ago, Kz! said: I like Howard, but if he were a "top back in the league" he would have never made it to our practice squad and he'd be starting elsewhere. He's a solid RB coming off a terrible season for the Dolphins that couldn't find a starting job or even a spot on an active roster this offseason. Exactly right. Heck the Ravens last their back for a year and they didn’t come knocking at Howard’s door. I like what he’s giving the Eagles right now. He’s running hard and looking good, but people are acting like the Eagles had Earl Campbell on the bench or something. Just enjoy it while it lasts. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
time2rock Posted November 11, 2021 Share Posted November 11, 2021 It is possible to appreciate Howard without thinking he is a superstar … there is an in-between. 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bwestbrook36 Posted November 11, 2021 Share Posted November 11, 2021 24 minutes ago, time2rock said: It is possible to appreciate Howard without thinking he is a superstar … there is an in-between. Ha!! You wish! 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hawkeye Posted November 11, 2021 Author Share Posted November 11, 2021 3 hours ago, EazyEaglez said: I agree with that. I thought they used Gainwell way too much earlier, but my only point is perhaps we shouldn’t over value Jordan Howard. He has been given up on by three teams now (including the Eagles) so I don’t think we should be acting like the run game is now solved for years to come. No one is suggesting that but take a look at the Eagles roster and it’s clear Howard is, at the moment, the most accomplished back they have and he’s been the center of the resurgence of the running game. My point was he shouldn’t have been relegated to the practice squad. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EazyEaglez Posted November 11, 2021 Share Posted November 11, 2021 4 minutes ago, Hawkeye said: No one is suggesting that but take a look at the Eagles roster and it’s clear Howard is, at the moment, the most accomplished back they have and he’s been the center of the resurgence of the running game. My point was he shouldn’t have been relegated to the practice squad. I agree with you, but my point is sometimes people around here get overzealous about a player to either extreme. Howard is playing well for the Eagles right now and congratulations to him for finally being on the roster, and I think it was crazy he and Boston Scott were barely used. Heck I think it’s crazy all the backs were barely used, but I don’t really feel like he’s solved the Eagles run game problems. I really like what he’s bringing to the table right now though. He’s running hard and punishing defenders. In a way him not being on the roster till now has kept him fresh. Not sure if he could go a full season at this level. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hawkeye Posted November 11, 2021 Author Share Posted November 11, 2021 2 minutes ago, EazyEaglez said: I agree with you, but my point is sometimes people around here get overzealous about a player to either extreme. Howard is playing well for the Eagles right now and congratulations to him for finally being on the roster, and I think it was crazy he and Boston Scott were barely used. Heck I think it’s crazy all the backs were barely used, but I don’t really feel like he’s solved the Eagles run game problems. I really like what he’s bringing to the table right now though. He’s running hard and punishing defenders. In a way him not being on the roster till now has kept him fresh. Not sure if he could go a full season at this level. Yeah there’s a tendency to overreact here. But the larger point is that Howie and Nick continue to misjudge the talent on their roster. Howard was a. Pro Bowler with Chicago before he came here and is probably the only "between the tackles” guy they have. And he’s relatively low mileage because he’s been on the shelf since the shoulder injury and by all accounts had a strong camp and has been practicing well. I guess I just can’t fathom why it took nearly half the season to activate a guy like that. Then again, I can’t fathom why they ran the ball once in the first half a few weeks ago so… 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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