EAGLES MAY ALREADY HAVE THEIR REPLACEMENT FOR JORDAN HOWARD

[Procus]

https://phillysportsnetwork.com/2020/05/26/howard/

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EAGLES MAY ALREADY HAVE THEIR REPLACEMENT FOR JORDAN HOWARD

Posted on May 26, 2020 by Liam Jenkins

The Eagles’ search for a veteran running back has been dragging for some time now. A recent report citing that the Roseman don’t want to pay much more than a veteran’s minimum explains why the team are still scratching their heads while trying to find a replacement for Jordan Howard. But there’s one running back nobody is talking about…

That man is 5’11, 215 lbs, Elijah Holyfield. Formerly of the Carolina Panthers, the former UDFA signed with the Eagles right at the beginning of the offseason and like Trevor Williams, fell blissfully under the radar.

That sentiment was true for most of his College career too. Holyfield rushes the ball just six times in 2016 as a true freshman, 50 times in 2017, and then shared the load with D’Andre Swift one year later. Somehow, he racked up 1,018 yards on 159 rushing attempts, scoring seven touchdowns in the process. Perhaps this nasty mentality had something to do with it.

 

 

Holyfield is an absolute bowling ball and although he clearly has some holes in his game when it comes to discipline when finding the hole, when he gets going, good luck stopping him.

A misleading NFL combine was a huge detriment to his draft stock and he ultimately slipped through the cracks and into the Carolina backfield. It didn’t take long for him to turn heads there either.

Across four games, Holyfield averaged 4.8 yards per carry, tallying 79 yards on 19 attempts. He even caught 6 passes, which is more than he caught in his entire final season as a Georgia Bulldog.

 

Holyfield may be raw, but if it’s a bowling ball running back the Eagles want on the cheap, then he ticks every box. Letting Duce Staley work his magic will be key and obviously a shortened offseason period doesn’t help much, but a backfield lacking significant depth behind their shiny new toy absolutely does and at just 22-years-old, there’s plenty of room to grow. If he can hit preseason with the same tenacity he’s flashed throughout his career, then that may be enough to carve out a role as Corey Clement before him once did.

 

Mandatory Credit: Daniel Bartel-USA TODAY Sports

 

[DeathByEagle]

Holyfield is not a good comparison to Howard, lol. Completely different build, style back. He wont make that power back style in the NFL. the one example they show his oline is pushing the pile. I see him more like Clement. Clement is even bigger then him but they are similar style runners/catchers. 

I think he makes the team but I think the UDFA kid has a chance too. He is even more similar to Clement in his running style. Eagles have him listed as 218 but the kid played at 226. Hes not a Howard style. We dont have anyone who wants to lower that shoulder and bring the pain. Clement, Holyfield and Warren all are cutters. We dont have any back currently on the roster that fills the true Howard, power style runner. 

[EricAllenPick6]

1 hour ago, Procus said:

 

 

Wow, I love the power back move.  I don't think you'll do that to too many NFL linebackers, though.

1 hour ago, Procus said:

Across four games, Holyfield averaged 4.8 yards per carry, tallying 79 yards on 19 attempts. He even caught 6 passes, which is more than he caught in his entire final season as a Georgia Bulldog.

Yeah, OK, but this guy is not much of a mystery.  He doesn't have breakaway speed, but he's a "4 yards and a cloud of dust" kind of back.  He'd make a fantastic fullback, but he's no Jordan Howard.

[Procus]

10 minutes ago, EricAllenPick6 said:

 

Wow, I love the power back move.  I don't think you'll do that to too many NFL linebackers, though.

Yeah, OK, but this guy is not much of a mystery.  He doesn't have breakaway speed, but he's a "4 yards and a cloud of dust" kind of back.  He'd make a fantastic fullback, but he's no Jordan Howard.

Don't need JH with the emergence of Boobie.  But it is nice to have a load out there to close out games.

[UK_EaglesFan89]

I'm certainly interested to see what Holyfield and Warren have and what they can do in any kind of TC... But I mean there's a reason why Holyfield was on a PS. I don't think he's the answer to a very productive NFL player. 

[Rob331]

We missed the boat on Carlos  Hyde, but it benefits Holyfield. It'll be an interesting battle between he and Michael Warren - may the best player win. 

[Procus]

1 hour ago, UK_EaglesFan89 said:

I'm certainly interested to see what Holyfield and Warren have and what they can do in any kind of TC... But I mean there's a reason why Holyfield was on a PS. I don't think he's the answer to a very productive NFL player. 

Boston Scott was on the PS.

I remember back when Dion Lewis was on the PS

[PoconoDon]

The difference in kinetic energy between a 215 lb back and a 250 lb back running at the same velocity is approx 16%. That's a significant difference.