2009 NFL Free Agency: Running Backs

The Buckhalter Flight School has long been closed

In the NFL, Running Backs have to strike while the iron’s hot.  Their careers are among the shortest of any position due to the constant beating they take from larger defenders.  Generally speaking, once an RB hits 30 it’s all downhill from there.

As RBs look to cash in during Free Agency, the Eagles have a glaring need at backup RB and need to bolster their depth by any means necessary.

There are a number of Running Backs who could help the Eagles’ offense improve and provide Donovan with the additional playmakers he’s been crying about.

Potential 2009 Starters

• Brandon Jacobs (Franchised) – 26 – New Jersey A – With Jacobs, there is a much better chance that a team could make him an offer.  Regardless of team affiliation, Jacobs is a beast, and he’s going to make a lot of money in the NFL one way or another.  I’m working on a long-term contract right now if I’m the Giants (or a trade to Philly?). ***Update*** The Giants front office must have my computer tapped, as Jacobs signed a four year, $25 million contract with the Giants on 2/25.
• Darren Sproles (Franchised) – 25 – San Diego – The elusive back stepped in well for LT, who showed his morality in ’08.  The $6.6mil that goes along with the franchise tag makes sense for San Diego, as they don’t want to let him go due to uncertainty with Tomlinson but still need Sproles to prove he can stand up to the beating of a full NFL season now that everyone is watching him.  I don’t expect any teams to make him an offer, as two 1st round picks is way too much to give up for a 3rd down back.
• Cedric Benson – 26 – Cincinnati – Cincy ran Benson ragged at the end of the ’08 season, and the drunk sailor reacted well (282 yards in final two games of the season vs. CLE and KC).  I can’t see the Eagles going for a gamble like Benson, but at his best he could be a tough running yet explosive complement to Westbrook.
• Derrick Ward – 28 – New Jersey A – His contribution to the ’07 championship team will make Ward a lot of money this offseason.  Some teams may even be looking at him like this year’s Michael Turner (he isn’t).  If the market wasn’t as ridiculous as it will be for Ward, he would be a great second back for the Eagles.  He runs like a bowling ball between the tackles, and if he picks up speed he can break long runs as well.

Complement Backs

• Dominic Rhodes – 30 – Indianapolis – Stepped up when called upon in ’08, and had a nose for the endzone (6 rushing TDs, 3 receiving TDs).  He is a seasoned complement back who would instantly improve the Eagles overall offense.  Rhodes’ deceptive speed and moves remind me a little of a pre-knee explosion(s) Buckhalter.
• Maurice Morris – 29 – Seattle – I’m not sure what he did to Mike Holmgren, but Mo never solidified his place as the Seahawk’s starting RB until Week 14 of the 2008 season.  Morris has always been a very consistent runner, and although he isn’t all that explosive he gets positive yards on every run.  Plus he can block a bit.  Morris would be a very nice addition to the Eagles, and signing a running back in free agency would allow us to focus on other needs in the 1st round of the draft.
• DeShaun Foster – 29 – San Francisco – Didn’t hit the field much in ’08, and averaged only 3.1 yards per carry when he did play. Signed by San Fran last year, but now he’s back on the market.  That can’t be a good sign.
• Correll Buckhalter – 30 – Philadelphia – Buck’s given everything he’s got to Philadelphia, and he for that will be remembered long after his playing days are over.  As much as I respect Buck, the Eagles need an upgrade at running back.  If he’s willing to take a hometown discount, then Buckhalter may get resigned as a third back.  Even if he does resign, that can not be the end of the RB signings of the 2009 off-season for the Eagles.
• J.J. Arrington – 26 – Arizona – Please don’t try to sign another Brian Westbrook this off-season.  Change of pace.

Interesting

• Jason Wright – 26 – Cleveland – Doesn’t have much tread off his tires, can line up as a fullback, catches well out of the backfield and runs with some power.  His game still needs to be refined, but Wright is a player who does a lot of the things I’m looking to add to the Eagles offense.
• Alvin Pearman – 26 – Jacksonville – He’s got very limited game experience, but the 5’10” 208 pound RB reminds me of his potential ex-teammate MJD.  Low center of gravity and legs that never stop moving.  He won’t solve our problems right now, but he is an interesting prospect.

Old Folks

• Warrick Dunn – 34 – Tampa Bay – Cut on 2/25, last year’s Walter Payton Man of the Year would give the Eagles a solid option to back-up Brian Westbrook.  Dunn ran well despite his age last year (786 rushing yards, 4.1 YPC) and will continue to be a reliable RB in ’09.
• Michael Pittman – 33 – Denver – One of the many Denver running backs injured last year, and didn’t show much spark before that.  I’ll pass.
• Kevin Jones – 26 – Chicago – Old knee.  Jones’ agent tried to drum up talk of him coming to Philadelphia last year, but the Eagles showed no real interest.  I didn’t see him do anything in 2008 to make me think their position will change.
• Aaron Stecker – 33 – New Orleans – Can score at the goal line, which is the only reason I would consider signing a 33 year old backup running back.

This year’s Free Agent class of Running Backs isn’t very top heavy, and Jacobs resigning makes things even more bleak for teams looking to snare a starting RB.  This may impact the way teams treat Running Backs in the draft, an interesting angle for the Eagles.

With the wealth of complementary backs that would fit the Eagles needs available, including Dominic Rhodes, Maurice Morris and Derrick Ward, the Birds may look to upgrade through Free Agency so that they aren’t forced into relying on the draft.