By Harry Allison
Most of the sound and fury in the Eagles’ offseason has revolved around new Birds Sam Bradford, DeMarco Murray, Kiko Alonzo and, of course, the numbingly mindless quotes from former Eagle Shady McCoy.
But what about Darren Sproles?
The NFL’s annual list of the top 100 players places running back Sproles at No. 81.
Sproles finished with 57 carries for 329 yards and six touchdowns last season. The list of the top 100 players is voted on solely by the players.
The Eagles traded for Sproles last offseason, and the move proved to be a wise one.
Sproles not only a stud on special teams throughout the season, but he carried a struggling Eagles’ offense the first two weeks in wins over the Jacksonville Jaguars and Indianapolis Colts.
Against the Jaguars, Sproles broke free for a 49-yard touchdown run with his team trailing 17-0 in the third quarter. The big run got the Eagles going, as they would go on to score 34 unanswered points.
Next week, against the Colts, Sproles finished with 178 total yards, including a 51-yard catch in the fourth quarter to set up a touchdown.
Whether Sproles will be able to recreate his production from last season remains to be seen. The Eagles signed both Murray and Ryan Mathews this offseason, moves which would seem to put Sproles third on the depth chart.
