Can Lesean Handle It?

Let me start off by saying i have a reputation of holding a sentimentality towards players that have been in philly a long time. Hell, i was that guy who was upset that the sixers traded AI even though i cant name 3 players on the team. But one player who i want to see go is Westy. Why do i hold no sentimental feelings towards him? Because he plays such an important position and its so obvious his best days are behind him. So for the sake of this article we are going to assume Big Red does the correct thing and lets Westy walk. Now we are left with Lesean. Can he handle the load? On one hand in certain games he looked bloody brilliant but in others he looked like a...rookie. Do i think he can handle it? No. Do i think hes a lost cause? No. I think hes too much of a side-stepper. With maybe a season or two of learning the playbook, and playing in a limited role he can be a threat. After all not every elite rb in the NFL was a star from the start. Westy didn't show his star abilities until the 05 season when he was 26. He was a factor in the Eagles 04 run, dont get me wrong, but i dont think we knew exactly what we had until after our run. This Entry is not about Lesean though despite the misleading title. Its about who might be available if Big Red doesnt think McCoy can handle it.

Larry Johnson: Larry might not be a popular choice with Eagles fans. hes old and he does not have that game breaking explosiveness anymore but LJ proved in Cincinnati that with an Oline that can block hes still got a little juice. He would be an amazing player to platoon and mentor the young McCoy in my personal opinion.

Jerious Norwood: jerious PERFECTLY fits the description of the running backs Andy drafts. Hes lightning fast and he knows how to make a play after the catch. Since Jerious' rookie season his worst yards per reception has been a solid 8.5. Don't think for a second AR isnt moderating his status. With Turner in the ATL Jerious has plenty of reasons to leave.

Willie Parker: With Pitt officially handing the torch to the younger guy, Mendenhall, Parker will most likely look to test the market. Parker is as injury prone as they come and might just be a name at this point in his career, but he did manage a "solid" 4.0 YPC in the limited chances he received in 09. although he has only had 2 seasons with 20+ receptions he has shown potential in this department. Maybe an incentive based contract could lure him to across the state.

Darren Sproles: LT has been heard. He went public and said he does not want to share the rock and Norv Turner heard him loud and clear. Now they need to choose. Their franchise back and fan favorite or the more talented blazer? well if they pick the wrong choice and let this kid hit the open market, there will be no doubt an endless line of suitors. He will be the biggest name in free agency and he will be undoubtedly the most expensive. His chances of joining the Eagles? Id say around a .05% chance, but it's still fun to think about.

Chestor Taylor: Talk about a wasted career. First in Baltimore stuck behind Jamal Lewis then in Minny stuck behind AP. In his one season he started, saying he looked brilliant is an understatement. His stats that season were 1216 rush yards, 6 td, 42 receptions, 288 yards, 0td. In 07 AP somehow dropped to Minny and just like that Chestor was splitting carries again. He didn't do bad platooning. He actually had another good season racking up 800 yards, but when you have AP, you simply do not platoon him. And just like that in 08 the carries faded and he was reduced to a typical second string running back, although he has improved in the reception categories in those backup role seasons. Chestor is 30 years old, but having only started one season in his entire career its possible he might still be fresh. I think he has what it takes to hang around for 2 more seasons. Keep an eye on him Philly fans.

Leon Washington: This is strictly a low risk high reward scenario. He suffered a broken leg in his contract year and basically destroyed all value he might have had. Although he will be back by the start of next season, will he be the same running back? I would say no. And I am probably not the only guy who thinks this. Which is why he might settle for an incentive based contract...and those rarely come back to haunt you, so what would it hurt?

This Is a very deep rb class. i know it is still extremely early and these guys might all end up resigning with their teams. but they all have a reason to leave. Whether it is one last shot at glory (LJ, Parker), tired of being stuck behind in the depth chart(Chestor, Jerious, Leon), or you have a dilemma in being stuck behind the best running back this decade on the depth chart. After all, we don't want to wait till week 4 to realize McCoy is not ready to be an every down back yet and our best available option to platoon him with is some no name coming off the practice squad.

Written by Mike "fiz" Foley