Sirianni: Comfortable with running back room, still intrigued with Ezekiel Elliott
Philadelphia Eagles coach didn’t dispel Ezekiel Elliott’s rumors but offered assurance for the current running back room.
As the NFL inches closer to the draft set in late April, the Philadelphia Eagles are remaining intrigued with the free agent market.
One of those players still on the market is former Dallas Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott, who listed the Eagles as one of his preferred destinations.
On Tuesday, Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni had an opportunity to comment on the team's running back alongside Elliott's pursuits to land in Philadelphia. And what he said toated the line of offering assurance to the running backs Philadelphia has on the roster while remaining open to what Elliott may bring to the table.
“He’s a heck of a player,” Sirianni said of Elliott. “He’s a great, great player that I’ve had the opportunity to watch from our sideline four times in the last two years, and just think you think he’s a really outstanding player.”
In his career versus the Eagles, Elliott has run for 1,107 yards and 12 touchdowns on 233 carries. But in the last four years, Elliott hasn't rushed for over 100 yards in any contest against the Eagles.
Sirianni added that he felt very comfortable about the team’s current slate of running backs, including the newly signed former Seahawk, Rashaad Penny.
Apparently, Sirianni has followed Penny since he played San Diego State. At the time, Sirianni was an assistant with the San Diego Chargers.
"I feel like this is a great place for me to refresh, restart my career," Penny, the former first-round pick of the Seattle Seahawks, said after making the singing official. "Playing with a finalist MVP at QB, great running back room, great weapons at receiver, and arguably the best O-line, I'm definitely excited to get to work."
Additionally, Sirianni also explained that he likes what he has in Kenneth Gainwell and Boston Scott.
Lastly, Sirianni praised Trey Sermon, who he felt frustrated with himself for not getting involved.
It appears that adding Elliott to what Philadelphia has would be a move that indicates an embarrassment of riches more than a necessary one for the Eagles.
