After the trade of LeSean McCoy, many fans were left wondering who would try and replicate his efforts in the backfield in the 2015 season. The answer to that question came to us in the last 24 hours. The Eagles already have Darren Sproles and Chris Polk, but still needed to add another back or two in order to keep the rushing attack as one of their strengths.
Former Chargers running back Ryan Mathews signed with the Eagles to a 3 year deal worth $11.5 million. Mathews has been injury prone throughout his 5 year career, but when he was healthy in 2013, he showed the league what he is capable of, rushing for 1,255 yards on 4.4 yards per carry and scoring 6 touchdowns. Mathews is a solid back when healthy, and the Eagles got him on a very fair deal.
As if that wasn't enough, the big deal came earlier today, when 2014 rushing leader and former Bradford roommate DeMarco Murray agreed to a five year $42 million deal, $21 million of which is guaranteed. Just as Mathews was, Murray was injury prone for most of his career, but was able to stay healthy last season and put up some gaudy numbers. Murray rushed for 1,845 yards, which not only led the league, but was nearly 500 yards better than the second leading rusher, Le'Veon Bell.
While it's true that running backs do have a short shelf life, and the Cowboys ran Murray into the ground last season, he should not only continue to benefit from the strong offensive line play in Philly, but he has a couple of teammates that can take plenty of carries for themselves so Murray doesn't have to run the ball 400 times again. In just his fifth season, Murray still has a lot of football left in him.
I personally love the Murray signing. Not only are you getting a proven rusher to replace Shady, but Cowboys fans are so salty over this move as well. Last season, every Cowboy fan was loving DeMarco Murray and saying that he was the best back in the league. Now he's apparently washed up and wasn't that good to begin with. Gimme your tears Cowboys fans!
By: Dan Goggin
Follow us on twitter @BroadStBeat
As if that wasn't enough, the big deal came earlier today, when 2014 rushing leader and former Bradford roommate DeMarco Murray agreed to a five year $42 million deal, $21 million of which is guaranteed. Just as Mathews was, Murray was injury prone for most of his career, but was able to stay healthy last season and put up some gaudy numbers. Murray rushed for 1,845 yards, which not only led the league, but was nearly 500 yards better than the second leading rusher, Le'Veon Bell.
While it's true that running backs do have a short shelf life, and the Cowboys ran Murray into the ground last season, he should not only continue to benefit from the strong offensive line play in Philly, but he has a couple of teammates that can take plenty of carries for themselves so Murray doesn't have to run the ball 400 times again. In just his fifth season, Murray still has a lot of football left in him.
I personally love the Murray signing. Not only are you getting a proven rusher to replace Shady, but Cowboys fans are so salty over this move as well. Last season, every Cowboy fan was loving DeMarco Murray and saying that he was the best back in the league. Now he's apparently washed up and wasn't that good to begin with. Gimme your tears Cowboys fans!
By: Dan Goggin
Follow us on twitter @BroadStBeat