Sproles’ pain could be Clement’s gain
PHILADELPHIA » Before the injury report broke Thursday, Eagles running back Corey Clement was in nextman-up mode. Barring a dramatic healing, this will be the second straight September Clement will try to fill the void left by running back Darren Sproles, who sat out practice with a sore hamstring. This, of course, is a much less serious setback than the broken arm and ACL sprain Sproles suffered last season.
With kickoff returner Shelton Gibson nursing a knee injury, Clement likely will have a busy afternoon when the Eagles oppose the Tampa Bay Buccaneers Sunday at steamy Raymond James Stadium.
In addition to more running back snaps, Clement should get the opportunity to return punts and kickoffs. As always, the undrafted product of Wisconsin by way of Glassboro, N.J. will be ready to serve as the middleman in the latest version of the Philly Special.
“Chances don’t really come around often,” Clement said after practice. “So, I’ve got to make the most of it and just be prepared when my number is called, whether it’s in the run game, pass game, pass pro and kickoff and punt return.”
He answered a ton of challenges last year, including earning a spot on the roster over fourthround draft pick Donnell Pumphrey, who had established the all-time NCAA rushing mark in a stellar career at San Diego State.
Clement made the first Eagles play of the season, tackling Bashaud Breeland at the 16-yard line on the opening kickoff in the win over the Washington Redskins.
Clement rushed for four touchdowns, caught three scoring passes (including the playoffs) and contributed a two-point conversion in a rookie season that began when Sproles, the Swiss Army Knife, broke an arm and blew out an ACL on the same play in the first month of the season. Pumphrey was on injured reserve.
Clement led the Eagles with 100 receiving yards in their Super Bowl LII win over the New England Patriots. He hauled in a scoring pass from game MVP Nick Foles and helped turn the celebrated Philly-Philly scoring play, which made him a household name.
Clement forever etched himself in Eagles history, taking the shotgun snap in the Philly Special and pitching the ball to Trey Burton, who threw to Nick Foles for the touchdown.
In the Eagles’ seasonopening win over the Atlanta Falcons last week, Clement turned another Philly Special, as he pitched the ball on an end around to receiver Nelson Agholor, who completed a big third-down pass to Foles. It’s always interesting when Corey Clement is in the game.
“I’m always open to new plays, new positions,” Clement said of his expanded role this weekend. “It almost gives me a different perspective on football. Now it’s a challenge for me. How can I approach this game? How can I approach each snap or this opportunity? Last year people said I can’t catch. Now I’ve got another opportunity to show what else I can do only on special teams.”
Clement returned a kickoff 35 yards on the New York Giants in the Eagles’ home opener last season. His style? It’s a lot like the way he runs the football.
“It’s a feel, it’s natural,” Clement said. “See a hole, hit a hole and read it as if it’s a run play.”
Clement thinks the new kickoff coverage rules favor the returner. There are no wedges or double-team blocks. The one-on-one blocking is sweet.
“If you can get past that first level, the sky is the limit after that,” Clement said. “You’ve just got to make some moves and get going.”
When the Eagles get the ball this weekend, Clement should be accumulating at least a few more meaningful snaps. Last week he got only five carries, which he turned into
26 yards. Sproles and Jay Ajayi, who rushed for
62 yards and two touchdowns, got 29 offensive snaps each.
And, well, yes, Clement was surprised he got just 13 snaps. After all, he received 24 in the Super Bowl.
“Yeah, there’s some things I can’t control,” Clement said. “I always want more. But at the same time, I’m not the one calling the calls. When I get in I try to make the most of how many carries I have or amount of touches I get … It’s just like last year. If my number’s called, it’s just getting a chance to show them why I’m the next man up. There comes a time when things do happen. Guys go down. You’ve got to be able to find that next person. I’m the person with my hand raised. And I’m ready to take on another spot.”
Clement says he won’t try to be Sproles, that only Sproles can do that. But he knows what a Sproles play looks like.
After this weekend, Eagles fans could have a pretty good idea of what a Corey Clement might entail. The Buccaneers gave up a ton of yardage in a 48-40 season-opening victory at New Orleans. They’ve got another big test this week.
What exactly does a Clement play look like?
“Shoot, that’s kind of a hard thing to describe,” Clement said. “Any play in between the lines. And just trying to get after it.”