Former Eagles rival reveals massive shift in the modern NFL
While there may be a huge rivalry between the Dallas Cowboys and the Philadelphia Eagles, Philly fans should actually be thankful for how Dallas has handled the last few years. Sure, the Cowboys have won the division a few times during that span, but what have they really done with it? A few playoff flame-outs […]
While there may be a huge rivalry between the Dallas Cowboys and the Philadelphia Eagles, Philly fans should actually be thankful for how Dallas has handled the last few years.
Sure, the Cowboys have won the division a few times during that span, but what have they really done with it?
A few playoff flame-outs don't really matter in the grand scheme of things. Meanwhile, the Eagles have won one Super Bowl and been within a few plays of winning another.
It may be easy to chalk this up to a discrepancy in the front office because it's absolutely true. Howie Roseman and the Eagles coaching staffs under his leadership have been miles better than the Cowboys'.
The Eagles are actively putting themselves in positions to get better. The Cowboys are putting themselves in holes and struggling to get out.
There is no better example of this than the most recent Ezekiel Elliott contract.
Elliott was a stud. His first few years made it clear that he had unbelievable talent and was going to be a good back in the NFL for a long time.
However, the Cowboys dramatically overvalued how much a good running back brings to the table.
Elliott got paid, Dallas had to let other players at more value positions walk, and the rest was history.
Now, Elliott is finally a free agent and it is believed that he is frustrated with how long it has taken to find a new team.
Really? This isn't exactly a new trend, and Elliott isn't the only back coming off a good season that isn't getting extended or landing with a new team.
It is harsh and the fans of the old game won't like it, but there is a growing universal truth that good NFL teams are learning; good running backs don't matter. In fact, the run as a whole is plummeting in its value.
Paying running backs is the kiss of death. Drafting running backs with valuable picks does nothing to move the needle in the right direction and actively moves it backwards.
The play from the position can be fickle depending on the line, and the risk of injuries are too great to invest in long-term.
Good teams are spending money on their offensive line and building a scheme to ride the hot hand in any given opportunity rather than paying a guy that could miss the season or hold out for more money in a dying market.
Going out and paying a guy to get 1,000 yards because that has always been the metric is silly when that by itself is no indication of quality running back play.
Are you moving the ball? Controlling the clock? Letting your defense rest? If the answer to those questions is yes, the growing evidence from successful teams is showing that UDFAs have a higher chance of impacting the run game (without hurting the cap) than a veteran or value draft pick.
Paying running backs is not the way. The Eagles have done very well to follow this strategy for the past few years and in this offseason, and they would be wise to continue this plan for the future if they really want to stay great.
Just look at the Cowboys. Do you really want to end up in that situation?
