2012 Free Agency Report: RBs and FBs

This is the second in a series of posts where I take a look at how the Eagles might address their needs at every position in free agency this offseason, starting March 13th. Yesterday, I did QBs. Today, it’s RBs and FBs. Enjoy!

This offseason, running back is certainly not a pressing need. LeSean McCoy is coming off a career season that saw him rush for 1,309 yards on just 273 carries for 17 touchdowns. He also added 315 receiving yards on 48 catches for 3 more touchdowns. His total stats are even more impressive considering he sat out the Week 17 game against the Redskins. Rookie backup Dion Lewis also showed some promise last year in brief flashes of action. He was solid in the run game, carrying the ball 23 times for 102 yards and a touchdown. However, he was disappointing as the primary kick returner. Veteran Ronnie Brown had a disappointing season as the primary backup to McCoy, and figures to be headed out of Philadelphia this offseason. What the Eagles do at the RB position depends on how they feel about Lewis: if they trust him to be McCoy’s primary backup and believe in his ability to step in for an extended period of time should McCoy get injured, they will probably target a RB in the late rounds of the draft and not address the position at all in free agency. If they believe that Lewis needs more seasoning before making him the second-string running back, they’ll look to acquire a veteran in free agency, similar to the Ronnie Brown signing last year. As always, 2 things are a must for Eagles’ RBs: pass catching and pass protection. Any running back they bring in during free agency must be able to fulfill those two requirements. With that in mind, let’s take a look at some of the veterans the Eagles could sign this offseason to back up LeSean McCoy:

1) Peyton Hillis (CLE): A year ago, Peyton Hillis was on top of the world. He was coming off a season in which he totaled 1,654 yards rushing and receiving and scored 13 touchdowns. Although he wore down at the end of the year,

he still had a spectacular season. He even got put on the Madden cover. Alas, the “Madden Curse” struck again, and he had an injury-plagued, ineffective season that saw him run for only 587 yards and 3 touchdowns in 10 games. Along the way, he switched agents multiple times and was accused of nursing an injury too long in an effort to get a new contract. Recently, a report surfaced that he considered retirement this offseason to join the CIA (which he denied). Despite all of this, I think he would be a really good fit in Philly: he can catch passes out of the backfield and he can block. His stock has plummeted downwards, and a backup role would suit him very well: the bruising style he runs with would be very effective, and fewer carries would lead to less wear-and-tear, and ultimately fewer injuries. He’s also got the size to be a great short yardage and goal-line back, something the Eagles have had problems with in recent years. The only real red flags are his attitude, discussed earlier, and his fumbling issues. However, if he’d be willing to accept a backup role (which is definitely not certain), he would look great in Eagles’ green next year, forming a formidable tandem in the backfield with LeSean McCoy.

2) Khalil Bell (CHI): Bell was a surprise for the Bears this year, as he played very well down the stretch after Matt Forte was injured and Marion Barber was ineffective. He totaled 500 yards receiving and rushing with one touchdown on the year, but most of his damage in the last 3 games of the year, which he started, including a 23 carry, 121 yard performance against the Green Bay Packers on Christmas Day. He’s excellent in pass protection, reads his blocks well, and is a very good receiver out of the backfield. Fumbles were a bit of a problem for him, but he would be an excellent backup for McCoy, as he has a very similar skill set. Chicago will probably look to retain him, though, considering Forte’s health is a question mark. He also could get a shot to start somewhere or be a part of a committee, so a move to the Eagles is unlikely.

3) Justin Forsett (SEA): Forsett played a very limited role for the Seahawks last year, as he was stuck behind Marshawn “Beast Mode” Lynch, who had a career year. However, in 2009 Forsett had 41 catches and averaged 5.4 YPC, and in 2010 he averaged 4.4 YPC and reeled in 33 passes despite splitting time with the aforementioned Lynch. Forsett is a dynamic pass-catcher out of the backfield, and with Lynch receiving a hefty contract extension from the Seahawks and Leon Washington still a presence in the backfield, the Seahawks would seem to be inclined to let Forsett go. He’s a good pass-catcher out of the backfield, and is a shifty runner. He lacks size, but that has never seemed to bother the Eagles when it comes to running backs. Forsett would be a solid pickup for a low salary this offseason as a backup.

4) LaDainian Tomlinson (NYJ): Tomlinson backed up Shonn Greene last year, and as a result had his numbers decline on the ground. He only gained 280 rushing yards, with 1 touchdown, and had a 3.7 YPC average. However, he still managed to catch 42 passes for 449 yards and 2 touchdowns. At this stage in his career, Tomlinson can’t handle a full workload. In Philadelphia, he wouldn’t be getting that. He would be spelling McCoy, maybe starting a game or two, and would also fulfill the need for a goal-line back, as he has improved as a goal-line runner the last few years. Whether Tomlinson would want to play here is another discussion: he would have a much larger role in New York or somewhere else. That being said, bringing Tomlinson in on a one year deal before handing the reigns off to Lewis in 2013 would be a prudent move by the Eagles, as Tomlinson is still a very good pass-catching running back.

Other RBs the Eagles could target in free agency:

Jason Snelling (ATL)-lost his backup role to Jacquizz Rodgers last year, good pass catcher, somewhat injury-prone. Would be a sold low-risk, high-reward signing as a backup.

LaRod Stephens-Howling (ARI)-one of the best kick returners in the league, which would fill a need, as well as a good pass catcher. Fast, shifty, but undersized.
Mewelde Moore (PIT)-Veteran backup, good pass-catcher, but not explosive as a runner. Can pick up blocks, but lost his backup job to Isaac Redman last year. With Rashard Mendenhall suffering a torn ACL in Week 17, the Steelers will probably look to retain him as insurance if Redman falters.

The Eagles also have a need at fullback this offseason, as Owen Schmitt is an unrestricted free agent. The best course of action would probably to bring back Schmitt. He knows the blocking scheme, and he understands his role: move people out of the way for LeSean McCoy. However, if they wanted to upgrade at fullback there are two appealing options on the free agent market. Unfortunately, both are restricted free agents. One is Marcel Reese of the Oakland Raiders. It might sound like an odd thing to say about a fullback, but Reese is a matchup nightmare. He can catch passes, both run and pass block, and carry the ball extremely well. The Raiders have split him out wide and sent him on pass patterns numerous times with great results. It would probably take a hefty contract (by fullback standards) to pry him away from the Raiders, but they wouldn’t need to spend on a backup running back if they did. The other RFA at fullback is Tony Fiametta of the Dallas Cowboys. The difference in the Cowboys’ run game was night and day when Fiametta was playing as compared to when he was hurt. Fiametta was a big part of rookie DeMarco Murray’s explosion onto the scene before his injury. Fiametta is an excellent run blocker, but he isn’t much of a ball-carrier and has trouble staying healthy, as he was in and out of the lineup last year. While getting him from the Cowboys would weaken a division rival and improve the Eagles’ run game, it probably isn’t worth it.