Darren Sproles made some big plays last season, his first year in Philadelphia. But he also disappeared at times, and had five or fewer offensive touches in most of the games he played.
Eagles coach Chip Kelly says that won’t happen again.
“It’s year two for him, so I think he feels really comfortable in terms of what our running backs are doing,” Kelly said, via Philly.com. “So we are just kind of cross-training him like we do some other guys in terms of how do we get our best players on the field and put them in different situations.”
Sproles said he’ll line up at receiver this season, and not just in the slot.
“We’re just trying to get more stuff for me to do,” Sproles said. “We’re going to get me out wide and stuff like that.”
Kelly is a creative offensive coach, and Sproles has the kind of talent Kelly can use in a variety of positions. The 32-year-old Sproles is at an age when most running backs are slowing down, but don’t be surprised if he has a bigger season in Year 2 with the Eagles.
Kelly said that he’s giving Sproles more practice time with the wide receivers so that Sproles will be ready to play there even if he doesn’t get a lot of snaps at running back, where he’s third on the depth chart behind DeMarco Murray and Ryan Mathews, the story said. There were times last year when Sproles didn't even get a target in a game, so it looks like the Birds realize he needs to touch the ball more. Now the question is are there enough balls to go around with Murray and Mathews at the position. Sproles could find his way on the field more lined up at WR, a position where the Eagles don't have a ton of experience right now anyway.
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