Eagles Beat: Divvying up the carries in the backfield

Eagles beat writer was asked to predict how the team will divvy up the carries:

Obviously, when you sign two guys like DeMarco Murray and Ryan Mathews, you expect to spread the carries around a little more, but I don't see this as anything close to an equal time share.

Eagles running backs had about 26 carries per game last season. Overall, the team had 474 rushing attempts, which ranked seventh in the NFL. I think there's a good chance those numbers could increase this season. Running backs coach Duce Staley has already said the offense wants to regain its identity, and that identity is a run-based spread.

My guess (and I reserve the right to change this in August!) is that Murray would get around 17 carries per game; Mathews would get seven; and Darren Sproles would get two.

Assuming Murray stays healthy the whole season, that would translate to 272 carries. Only four running backs in the NFL had more than that last season.

We currently project Murray for 17.9 carries, Mathews for 8.3 and Sproles for 2.8. The Eagles didn't use LeSean McCoy much in the passing game last season, which is why we're a bit down on Murray this year. He should be a fine value around the 1/2 turn.