PhiladelphiaEagles.com lists Jordan Howard as the team’s starting running back. Miles Sanders is designated as his backup. Darren Sproles is 3rd on the depth chart.
Why the heck has Howard, the “starter”, been on the field for 22.5% of the offensive snaps over the Eagles first 2 games?
Why has Jordan Howard not “started” either game? Sproles was the first RB on the field against Washington and Sanders started against Atlanta. The Eagles would be a better team if they’d simply obey the token lineup presented on their website.
Guys on my teams in Oakland and Philadelphia used to echo the mantra, “Look good, feel good, play good, they pay good”. I think Deion Sanders might have coined the phrase. It sure worked for him.
I never really looked good or got paid all that great, but it rang true, nonetheless. When I felt confident, like the team needed me, I had a little extra swagger, I felt tougher— I could feel valued and important and I’d push myself a little further physically. I’d have some extra umph behind my pads, I’d be better able to push through and beyond pain and exhaustion with a bouncier step when I could convince myself of my own “indispensability” to the team.
Being the starter does matter. So does getting the opportunity to play like the starter.
When I was in the league, I was considered a “running back”. I spent all my time in individual meetings with the tailbacks and the running back coach. We sat together in the offensive installation meetings and film sessions; but I never faced the same degree of competition at my position that the real athletes / elite ball carriers did. Usually, offenses used the same fullback the whole game unless he got banged-up, at which point, he’d pretend he wasn’t banged-up. If the fullback was too wonky to further pretend, the backup fullback/special teams ace would take over until the starter rubbed enough dirt on himself to resuscitate.
I’ll admit, I was less-important to the game’s end result than my RB compadres, mostly because they’d carry the ball and I wouldn’t. But my name was in the starting lineup when I opened the game program magazine on the chair in front of my locker that day. Every other week, I ceremoniously ran out onto the field, blaringly introduced to the fans in the stands with the starting offense. I felt like my dings and hurts were more than worth it in exchange for those moments of extreme pride.
The Eagles need to realize that such “meaningless” motivations do matter to human beings. Jordan Howard needs to feel wanted and valued in order to tap into the emotions that can bring out his best play. Right now, this coaching staff is missing the boat on this.
Surprising, considering Doug Pederson’s track record of excellence when it comes to reading his players and pushing the proper “emotional intelligence” buttons to guide his guys. Jeffery Lurie lauded Peterson’s “open heart” when he hired him. Doug needs to listen to his heart a little more right now, as it pertains to drawing the Michael Jordan out of Jordan Howard. This running back needs some strokes.
Doug tells us that RB coach Duce Staley determines which backs are in the game on which running plays. Let it be known that I absolutely trust Duce’s football acumen— I shared a meeting room with him for about a year, back in 2003, and he was astounding. Future coach for sure. Blew me away every day with how much he knew about the game. A defense could never surprise Duce, throw some look at him he couldn’t dissect and block up. He knew what every offensive lineman’s assignment was and the technique they needed to use— he was omniscient. Brilliant understanding of coverages and tendencies, too. And he’s only gotten a bigger football brain in the sixteen years since, due to his focus and work ethic.
Duce went over 1,000 yards rushing three times in an era when teams sought out a bell cow back and handed him the ball like clockwork. In fact, Duce averaged 16, 20, and 17 carries per game during those thousand-yard seasons. He’s now coaching a guy, in Jordan Howard, who averaged 16 carries an outing and 1,123 yards per season over his first three years in Chicago. You don’t need to manage this back’s workload. He’s old-school, like you were, Duce. You’re giving him seven totes a game. Our running game can be so much more— just treat Jordan Howard like you’d treat yourself, to maximize our team’s effectiveness on the ground.
I recognize our offensive line has struggled to open holes this season. It’s evidenced by Miles Sanders’ 21 carries for 53 yards— 2.5 yards per carry. Sanders is failing to find holes when they’re there. He’s not pressing the line of scrimmage before he makes his cuts and he’s also bounce-happy. Jordan Howard will make the most of what’s blocked. He’s averaging 4.4 yards every time you hand it to him. Please, hand it to him more.
Make him the starter in the way you use Howard— make him believe he’s as important as you say he is; because the lip service is falling flat, just like our offense is right now, and if Jordan Howard is “looking, feeling, playing good”, the rest of the offense will reap some serious benefits.