Tag: Miles Sanders

Lightning and Thunder…Literally. – Philadelphia Sports Nation

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Photo Courtesy of Eagles Nation on X.

Thursday Night’s Eagles Home Opener Had A Little Something for Everyone.

No, no. Former Eagles running backs Ricky (Watters) and Charlie (Garner) aren’t making a comeback. The Eagles opening contest on the quest for NFL historical greatness began in bizarre fashion. But at least — this game had something for everyone and we found out a little more about these 2025 Eagles. We also found out that aerial assaults of human sputum prior to one offensive play being run is counterproductive, Saquon Barkley may be a year older but is still virtually unstoppable, raising the championship banner never gets old, and extended lightening delays are great for re-filling your chili fries — even at midnight.

And of course — those Cowboys are still the Cowboys.

Did defensive tackle Jalen Carter — after a full game of being double-teamed and beaten about by the Cowboys offensive line finally succumbed to the emotion of a full game and sent a flying saliva deposit that landed on Dak Prescott causing an ejection that propelled his team to triumph? Nope — you aren’t living in a dreamland — that scenario played itself out without one offensive snap elapsing in the 2025 NFL Season as his teammate Brian VanSumeren writhed in pain on the Lincoln Financial Field turf. Hopefully — this season is not over for both.

Photo Courtesy of Eagles Nation on X.

The Eagles opened the night on offense with a combination of the legs of Jalen Hurts, Saquon Barkley, and Will Shipley — the latter of whom is well on his way to becoming yet another reliable weapon in the Eagles arsenal. The game would end in much the same way relying on Hurts and Barkley to spearhead the Eagles offense. And Barkley — whether powering off left tackle or making incredible one-handed catches in the open field — is as good as ever.

Photo Courtesy of Eagles Nation on X.

And as if another historic moment was needed — with 4:44 left in the third quarter — the first Eagles Game ever was suspended due to lightening. You read correctly — we’ve seen ice games, blinding blizzards, mud-filled Championship Games. We’ve seen games turn into a Bounty Bowl, our team combine during war-time with the Steelers. We’ve even seen snowballs assaulting Santa and Duracell battery packed ice balls attempt to adjust Jimmy Johnson’s hair against these very same Cowboys. But we’ve never seen a 65-minute intermission that ended a game after midnight. All of Philly was moving slowly on Friday morning.

And then there is backup Cowboys running back Miles Sanders — whose outrage at a lack of touches in Super Bowl LVII propelled him in part to separate from a franchise that is now the finest football organization is in the universe — his once prominent role now occupied by his Nittany Lion teammate Saquon Barkley. His third quarter fumble — scooped up by Quinyon Mitchell — brought back memories. The Eagles defense is still a force to be reckoned with — even without Jalen Carter.

But perhaps the Eagles pulling out the a close game to a division rival was the most lasting facet of Thursday night’s home opener. Miles Sanders and the Cowboys are 0–1 —the former once projected to be the franchise running back that Philadelphia could have drafted after not being in a positioned to select one Saquon Barkley.

Yes — Alanis Morissette — Isn’t that ironic?

Tags: Charlie Garner Dak Prescott Jalen Carter Jalen Hurts Miles Sanders Miles Sanders contract Ricky Watters Saquon Barkley Steagles Will Shipley

Categorized:Eagles More PHL News Unique Columns

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Michael Thomas Leibrandt

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September 6, 2025
Will Saquon Barkley Be The Eagles Next 1,000 Yard Rusher? – Philadelphia Sports Nation

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Since LeSean McCoy did it in 2010, 2011, 2013 and 2014. It took the Eagles 8 years to have another 1,000 yard running back. And they did it with 2 different backs in back-to-back seasons.

Once they got that 1,000 yard season from Miles Sanders, he was on his way to Carolina with a $25.4M/4-year contract. And after Sanders’ departure, the Eagles were able to hit a home run in trading for D’Andre Swift, who put up 1,049 rushing yards in his single season with the Eagles, before signing a $24.5/3-year deal in Chicago.

The Eagles have seen both of their last rushers leave the year after setting careers highs. Now the 7th(Swift) and 12th(Sanders) highest paid running backs in the league. The Eagles decided to go a different route.

New Face In The Backfield

Back in March, the Eagles signed their new RB1 to a massive $37.5M/3-year deal.

🗣️BACK IN PA! Welcome to the City of Brotherly Love, @saquon.@Toyota | #FlyEaglesFly pic.twitter.com/mB1f7flTgG

— Philadelphia Eagles (@Eagles) March 13, 2024

The Eagles made a move for a running back that rivals the 49ers acquisition (and now extension) of Christian McCaffrey.

Now, the 6-year Giant makes his way to Philly, as the 4th highest paid running back. Soon to play behind what was the #1 ranked Offensive Line in 2023 (per PFF). While the question still remains of how well the Eagles offensive line may be in 2024 without Jason Kelce at Center. Even ProFootballNetwork had the Eagles still at the top spot in their offensive line rankings back in April.

Giants Offensive Line Woes

While PFN had the Giants listed at 23rd following the 1st round of the 2024 NFL Draft, PFF had them ranked dead last at 32nd following the 2023 season, and had them ranked 29th this time last year.

Even with some of the worst ranked OL’s in the league, that hasn’t stopped Saquon Barkley from putting up the following rushing stats

2023 – 962 yards in 14 games
2022 – 1,312 yards in 16 games
2021 – 593 yards in 13 games

With these rushing numbers, Saquon was also putting up plenty of receiving yards, even with the following QBs behind those previously mentioned bottom of the league OL’s

2023 – 280 Rec yards – Tommy DeVito(6) / Tyrod Taylor(5) / Daniel Jones(6)
2022 – 338 Rec yards – Daniel Jones(16) / Davis Webb(1)
2021 – 263 Rec yards – Daniel Jones(11) / Mike Glennon(4) / Jake Fromm(2)

Saquon’s Future

On a new team that already has some of the best talent in the league, Saquon will have plenty of opportunity over the next three season with the Eagles. Finally providing Jalen Hurts a reliable receiving back under a new offensive coordinator with Kellen Moore will give the Eagles another player capable of ending up with an Offensive Player of the Year award.

With training camp and pre-season just a few weeks away, how many yards do you think Saquon will put up in his first year with the Eagles?

Photo Credit: Monica Herndon / Philadelphia Inquirer

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Tyler L’Heureux

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June 17, 2024
Eagles’ Top 5 Running Back Options – Philadelphia Sports Nation

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Eagles fans should get ready for their next jersey, with the team at risk of losing three of four running backs to free agency.

D’Andre Swift (25-years-old), Boston Scott (29), and Rashaad Penny (28) can sign with any team, and while Howie Roseman is no stranger to re-signing a reliable back, the odds he outsources some of these roster spots is all but certain. Only Kenneth Gainwell (25) is set to return, hitting the final year of his four-year rookie deal.

The good news? That means the current depth chart at the position costs just $1.055M. That leaves plenty of wiggle room, and Philadelphia is sure to address one of these openings in the draft. That leaves two open spots beside Kenny G and this unnamed rookie sensation – so the question stands: Who do the Eagles sign?

Here are the top five options the Eagles should consider, in ascending order:

5. AJ Dillon

AJ “Quadfather” Dillon — how he got the nickname, no one knows

This would be one of two VERY Howie Roseman moves – find a high-value guy who hasn’t been a lead back, pay him a million or so, and toss him in a committee with three other guys. AJ Dillon has been splitting carries with Aaron Jones his entire career, having never hit more than 187 carries in a season. In a list with some grizzled veterans, Dillon would represent an option with a ton of tread still on the tires.

Additionally, Dillon has only had fewer than 4.1 yards per carry once in his four-year career. Benefiting from fresh legs as an RB2 certainly helps, but he would arrive to a familiar scene in that sense. If Howie wants to find an affordable guy to get consistent, strong yards, Dillon would be a buy-low candidate.

4. Derrick Henry

Number FOUR? It’s difficult to imagine three running backs who are better than King Henry AND a free agent. Hell, it’s tough to name three better backs in the game at all!

Derrick Henry has been the face of the Tennessee Titans since 2016, landing signature stiff-arms and carrying caravans of defenders with him across the goal line. The Alabama alum is a four-time Pro Bowler with 9,502 yards and 90 touchdowns to his name. His career-worst 4.2 yards per attempt was 18th in the NFL last season – but 8th when limited to backs who crested 1,000+ rushing yards.

His downfall? Age. Henry just turned 30 in January, famously the age we see running backs drop off (except, of course, Philly legend Frank Gore).

The reason Henry still fits in the Eagles’ running back plans are their historic approach to the position. In Philadelphia, Henry would see a massive drop in total carries. For example, last season D’Andre Swift carried the ball 229 times, 51 fewer than league-leader Derrick Henry with 280. The year before that, Miles Sanders led the team with 259, well behind Josh Jacobs at … 340! Throw in Jalen Hurts’ rushes and Henry might pull a Joe Flacco and fall asleep on the sideline.

3. Joe Mixon

Unlike Dillon, Mixon is NOT known for his efficiency, clearing 4.1 yards per carry just once in his career (2018). The other thing he isn’t known for is fumbling – he has only dropped the ball 6 times over 1,854 touches in 7 seasons. Insanity. He is also a sneaky-good receiver, with 154 catches in the last three seasons. In 2023 he had the 9th most receptions by a running back, and in 2022 he was No. 5 in the NFL in this category.

What’s more, the Bengals have also boasted a dreadful offensive line throughout Mixon’s career. For the Oklahoma product to even be a Pro Bowler is a testament to the powers of individual effort. Four of five healthy seasons, Mixon has rushed for over 1,000 yards. If Philly wants a workhorse who can get the job done, this could be the guy.

2. D’Andre Swift

Howie still has Swift’s number, and giving the back a ring might be his best option. Swift has been an affordable solution to the running back question his entire career, never costing more than $1.7M while cresting 4.1 yards per carry every season. His efforts earned him a Pro Bowl appearance this year, the first of what could be an illustrious career.

In Detroit Swift established himself as one of the position’s best receivers, catching 156 passes in three seasons. He finished fourth in catches in 2021 and 12th in rushes in 2023, demonstrating his utility as a dual-threat. I don’t need to waste by breath telling Philly what it already knows, but in his first full season as an RB1 this year he accrued his first 1,000+ yard season. Bringing back Swift represents an affordable option that keeps things consistent after a rocky end to the year.

1. JK Dobbins

There’s no joking when it comes to Dobbins’ talent. The oft-injured running back has started just 10 games and only played in 24 over four seasons. He missed the entire 2021 season with a torn ACL and only played a single game last year, rushing for 22 yards and a TD. So what’s the hype?

Check out the efficiency: JK Dobbins has a massive 5.8 yards per attempt over his entire career. Derrick Henry’s best season saw just 5.5 yards per attempt. Sure, Dobbins hasn’t shown an ability to stay healthy, but the Eagles have one of the best fitness staffs in the league. Philadelphia’s has been one of the healthiest rosters in the NFL the last two seasons – if the team can get a full season out of Dobbins?

Watch out.

Photo via Sports Illustrated

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Will Connell

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February 19, 2024
Analysis: Cowboys’ Parsons made valid point about MVP debate

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Micah Parsons took a lot of heat this week for expressing his opinion about the MVP race.

The Dallas Cowboys’ star linebacke r said the Philadelphia Eagles are 12-1 more because of the overall talent on the team than Jalen Hurts. The Eagles’ third-year quarterback is a frontrunner for NFL Most Valuable Player entering Week 15.

Speaking on Von Miller’s podcast, Parsons pointed out the Eagles have an excellent defense and superb players on offense around Hurts.

“It’s system and team!” Parsons said about the credit.

He’s not wrong.

The Eagles have the league’s most dominant offensive line. A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith are among the best wide receiver tandems. The rushing attack led by Miles Sanders is outstanding. And, coach Nick Sirianni and offensive coordinator Shane Steichen have devised an offensive scheme that maximizes Hurts’ skills and helped him elevate his all-around game.

Parsons also argued that Patrick Mahomes would be his MVP choice because he’s having another tremendous season for the Kansas City Chiefs without star wide receiver Tyreek Hill, who was traded to Miami.

Of course, some Eagles fans took offense to Parsons’ comments. Others considered his words a compliment about the team. Hurts and his teammates, to their credit, refused to engage. The Eagles and Cowboys face each other in Dallas on Christmas Eve.

Parsons provided plenty of fodder for talk shows and reporters by openly sharing his thoughts. He didn’t do his team any favors by giving Hurts and the Eagles bulletin-board material for next week’s game. Then again, players shouldn’t need extra motivation to play their best, especially in a rivalry game with playoff implications. The Cowboys (10-3) still have a shot winning the NFC East.

The conversation between Parsons and Miller about Hurts and other MVP candidates is a similar debate voters are having. With four games remaining, it’s a close race between Hurts and Mahomes with Joe Burrow and Josh Allen also in the mix. Tua Tagovailoa could enter the discussion with spectacular finish. Hill and Justin Jefferson deserve consideration, though a non-quarterback hasn’t won the award since Adrian Peterson in 2012.

Parsons was at least one voter’s choice at the midpoint of the season but only two defensive players have ever won MVP. Parsons also is the leading candidate for the AP Defensive Player of the Year.

Hurts has made a dramatic leap in his second full season as Philadelphia’s starter. He led the team to a 9-8 record and a playoff appearance last season but the front office still had questions about his ability to be a franchise QB and considered trading for Russell Wilson and other proven starters.

Given another season in Sirianni’s offense, Hurts has thrived. He has 3,157 yards passing, 22 touchdowns and only three interceptions, and leads the NFL in passer rating at 108.4. Hurts also has 686 yards rushing and 10 TDs on the ground.

Despite losing Hill, Mahomes, the 2018 NFL MVP, leads the NFL with 4,160 yards passing and 33 TDs. The Chiefs are 10-3 with losses to Allen’s Bills and Burrow’s Bengals.

Burrow, who led Cincinnati to the AFC championship in his second season last year, has overcome an 0-2 start and helped the Bengals (9-4) win five straight.

Allen has Buffalo (10-3) sitting in the top spot in the AFC.

The MVP winner will be decided down the stretch and it could end up being Hurts or the AFC quarterback who leads his team to the No. 1 seed.

The Associated Press announces the league’s MVP winner at NFL Honors on Feb. 9. A panel of 50 voters, comprised of national writers and broadcasters, including former players and coaches, will select a top five for the first time this season.

Until then, the debate continues.

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Follow Rob Maaddi on Twitter at https://twitter.com/robmaaddi

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AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl and https://twitter.com/AP_NFL

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December 16, 2022