The RB room 2023

[MidMoFo]

How are snaps/rushing attempts/targets going to shake out this season for the running back room?

After the draft and prior to camp, my guess was that Swift would be the primary back early in games due to his skill set of being a capable between the tackles runner and receiving ability (even though we haven’t used the rbs in the passing game too much). Swift also has a big play ability from anywhere on the field, a nice weapon that can make plays early in games. I thought Penny could be the grinder late in games to eat the clock and keep the chains moving behind our o-line. Gainwell, who played great down the stretch last season, would still be involved as a change of pace and specialty situation player for goal line and 2-minute drill. Boston Scott would start and get every snap against the giants, but limited otherwise. Trey Sermon was on the roster bubble and Kennedy Brooks staring at the practice squad.

Now after a couple weeks of training camp and one preseason game… I think it’s changed a little bit. Gainwell didn’t play the preseason game, are they saving his reps with the intention of him being the lead early in games? Swift looked good in his opportunities. Penny played well into the game even with the 3rd teamers, and was fair, but obviously the coaches believe he needs to show more. Sermon played fair as well. Brooks is still looking at the practice squad.

Is this the coaching staff signaling to Swift and Penny that they are going to "win” their role here or is Gainwell locked in as the top dog for now?

[EazyEaglez]

Feel like Gainwell is their number one guy, but Swift sure looks explosive! Penny just looks like a guy who can quietly average close to five a carry. They have a solid group with different abilities and attributes. Whatever happens I really hope they don’t drop Scott for Sermon.

[time2rock]

I think Swift will be our #1 back. The knock on Gainwell is that he isn't that explosive:

Swift certainly gives them that explosive element.  Gainwell can be counted on to get them 3 yards when needed.  I have a feeling their (as in Gainwell and Scott) roles don't change much compared to last year ... perhaps Gainwell sees a few more snaps with Swift taking Sanders' snaps.  

 

 

[MidMoFo]

Five were listed as 1st on the depth chart in alphabetical order… poor Brooks was listed by himself.

I like Boston Scott, but I doubt they keep 5. I think Sermon could play his way to the 4th spot to keep the diverse skill set in the room.

[time2rock]

11 minutes ago, MidMoFo said:

Five were listed as 1st on the depth chart in alphabetical order… poor Brooks was listed by himself.

I like Boston Scott, but I doubt they keep 5. I think Sermon could play his way to the 4th spot to keep the diverse skill set in the room.

They like Scott and thus far Sermon hasn't really shown much (as far as what I've read on the TC updates).  They did keep him on the 53 all year last season even though he didn't get much play time ... maybe they'll try to get him on the practice squad.  

[eaglesfan0075]

I think it has to be these 4 on the final roster:

Gainwell-Swift-Penny-Scott

Sermon on the PS and cut Brooks

Doesn't make sense for them to keep 5 RBs when they can use the depth elsewhere.

[Talonblood]

Gainwell and Swift are the top dogs. We know Scott is reliable. IDC about the rest.

[EagleVA]

2 hours ago, time2rock said:

I think Swift will be our #1 back. The knock on Gainwell is that he isn't that explosive:

Swift certainly gives them that explosive element.  Gainwell can be counted on to get them 3 yards when needed.  I have a feeling their (as in Gainwell and Scott) roles don't change much compared to last year ... perhaps Gainwell sees a few more snaps with Swift taking Sanders' snaps.  

 

 

I think the best two backs on the team are Swift and Scott, Gainwell is nothing special and Sermon needs to be cut and Penny isn't tough enough........I  think they should give Brooks a good look, I'm guessing he's a better option than Gainwell and Sermon.

[FranklinFldEBUpper]

21 minutes ago, EagleVA said:

I think the best two backs on the team are Swift and Scott, Gainwell is nothing special and Sermon needs to be cut and Penny isn't tough enough........I  think they should give Brooks a good look, I'm guessing he's a better option than Gainwell and Sermon.

Did you miss the look they gave Brooks the other night, the play where he fumbled?

[LacesOut]

44 minutes ago, EagleVA said:

I think the best two backs on the team are Swift and Scott, Gainwell is nothing special and Sermon needs to be cut and Penny isn't tough enough........I  think they should give Brooks a good look, I'm guessing he's a better option than Gainwell and Sermon.

Your stupidity continues.

[hukdonfoniks]

Gainwell and Swift aren't in question.  They're in. 

Honestly, Scott is probably the kind of player that could sit on waivers all season and be available whenever we need him.  I'd rather roll the dice on Penny's upside for now. 

Sermon they can let test waivers.  If he gets picked up by someone else it's no big loss. 

[EagleVA]

5 hours ago, FranklinFldEBUpper said:

Did you miss the look they gave Brooks the other night, the play where he fumbled?

No, I saw it, my feeling is so what?  

Bottom line, they need to put the guy in behind something other than the 3rd string OL, I know for a fact he's a better runner than Sermon and probably Gainwell also.

 

[EagleVA]

7 hours ago, LacesOut said:

Your stupidity continues.

So I presume you and the others with the laughing and crazy emoji faces think the Eagles are fine at RB?

For the past several years I've watched preseason games from around the league just as I did this past weekend and I see team after team field RBs that are much ore impressive than those that the Eagles trot on the field, these re the 2nd and 3rd stringers!!

The idea that guys think Gainwell, Sermon and Penny are NFL caliber RBs is what deserve laughing and crazy faces.

The lack of a legitimate running game is going to be the Eagles downfall this upcoming season, without Hurts' threat to run the running game is non-existent.....that's why they lost the SB, they couldn't protect a 10 point lead via time consuming drives by way of running the ball.  Tell me, who's going to do that this season?

[Mat]

9 hours ago, hukdonfoniks said:

Gainwell and Swift aren't in question.  They're in. 

Honestly, Scott is probably the kind of player that could sit on waivers all season and be available whenever we need him.  I'd rather roll the dice on Penny's upside for now. 

Sermon they can let test waivers.  If he gets picked up by someone else it's no big loss. 

Giants would pick him up the week they play them out of spite

It will be a 3 headed monster. I can see them using a lot of 2 back looks and flexing one of Swift or Gainwell out wide. Penny will be a thumper as long as he can stay healthy. I think they'll look to manage Swift and Penny's touches with their injury histories

[UK_EaglesFan89]

I think there’s actually a chance that Penny doesn’t make the roster. He’s got a really high ceiling but I’m not sure he’s looked all that great so far. Gainwell will make the roster as they like him and he’s young. Swift is going to make the roster as they traded for him and has their beat all round back. 

[time2rock]

5 hours ago, UK_EaglesFan89 said:

I think there’s actually a chance that Penny doesn’t make the roster. He’s got a really high ceiling but I’m not sure he’s looked all that great so far. Gainwell will make the roster as they like him and he’s young. Swift is going to make the roster as they traded for him and has their beat all round back. 

Not a given but seems fairly likely Scott's spot is safe too, so assuming they keep 4 on the 53 it comes to Sermon vs Penny.  From what I've been reading, Sermon isn't doing anything to stand out either.  

[JamesK]

Swift and Penny are going to be the workhorses.

And I wouldn't be surprise if they keep 5. 

[Mat]

Sermon is the one they cut. They can use Scott as a KR so he hangs around for locker room and ST purposes 

[opa-opa]

21 hours ago, time2rock said:

I think Swift will be our #1 back. The knock on Gainwell is that he isn't that explosive:

Swift certainly gives them that explosive element.  Gainwell can be counted on to get them 3 yards when needed.  I have a feeling their (as in Gainwell and Scott) roles don't change much compared to last year ... perhaps Gainwell sees a few more snaps with Swift taking Sanders' snaps.  

 

 

How many explosive runs did Sanders have last year (that wasnt just running thru a huge hole created by the oline)?

[The Norseman]

6 hours ago, UK_EaglesFan89 said:

I think there’s actually a chance that Penny doesn’t make the roster. He’s got a really high ceiling but I’m not sure he’s looked all that great so far. Gainwell will make the roster as they like him and he’s young. Swift is going to make the roster as they traded for him and has their beat all round back. 

Even if Penny does make the roster he'll likely be hurt by game 3 and we will be back to Swift, Gainwell and Scott

[RunItBAck]

16 minutes ago, opa-opa said:

How many explosive runs did Sanders have last year (that wasnt just running thru a huge hole created by the oline)?

Don't know what your definition of explosive runs is, but Gainwell had 53 carries in the Regular season and his long was 11 lol. He couldn't even get a 15 yard run WITH "huge holes created by the Oline" hmm...

[JamesK]

15 minutes ago, RunItBAck said:

Don't know what your definition of explosive runs is, but Gainwell had 53 carries in the Regular season and his long was 11 lol. He couldn't even get a 15 yard run WITH "huge holes created by the Oline" hmm...

Considering our OL, I think Sanders was perhaps the most unimpressive 1,000 yard rusher the Eagles had in decades (maybe ever).  He's not in the same league as McCoy or Westbrook.  Not even close... And I agree with you about Gainwell.  I'm not sold on him.

That's why I'd like to see Swift and Penny get a good shot.  Let's see what they can do...

 

 

[time2rock]

25 minutes ago, opa-opa said:

How many explosive runs did Sanders have last year (that wasnt just running thru a huge hole created by the oline)?

Maybe that's why he wasn't retained?

[RunItBAck]

2 minutes ago, time2rock said:

Maybe that's why he wasn't retained?

Yeah and after this year we can ask the same question so if the answer is more WITH a hole created by the oline...we dump the RB? LOL

[hukdonfoniks]

They brought in Swift and Penny for a reason.  They may like Scott and Gainwell and Sermon just fine, but there was nothing stopping them from rolling with those three.  

Swift and Penny are the guys.  Gainwell's done absolutely nothing to make you think he won't be the 3rd.  Keeping Scott would be a luxury they can't afford.  Not with all the CB and DL depth it looks like we have.