Smallwood eager to break out of the gate against Colts
PHILADELPHIA >> The way Doug Pederson evaluates running backs, it’s tricky assessing the skills of rookie fifth-round draft pick Wendell Smallwood.
Smallwood has credentials. He led the Big 12 in rushing as a junior last year at West Virginia. But he hasn’t taken a lick as a pro, a quadriceps issue keeping him out of Eagles practices with tackling to the ground and sidelining him for both preseason games. Obviously not much of a start for a guy the Eagles are counting on.
Smallwood told reporters he couldn’t remember the last game he sat out until ... now.
“My first NFL games,” he lamented. “It was kind of a letdown to me.”
The Eagles have solid film of starting running back Ryan Mathews and 33-year-old veteran Darren Sproles, the multidimensional back they’re limitingbecausetheyintendtogive him a full shift this season.
Kenjon Barner leads the Eagles with 13 rushes for 76 yards and one touchdown in the preseasonand,ifithadn’tbeenfor penalties, would rank among the leaders in punt returns. It would be shocking if he didn’t make the 53-man roster.
Many assumed Smallwood would see his first live action last week when the Eagles opposed the Pittsburgh Steelers.
However Pederson and offensive coordinator Frank Reich, who has been around some special backs, didn’t like the guy they saw in warmups. Smallwood wasn’t the force who clocked a 4.47 at 208 pounds at the scouting combine.
Smallwood’s big chance is Saturday when the Eagles play theIndianapolisColtsatLucas Oil Stadium.
“He’ll get a good look,” Pederson said. “This is his first opportunity to play, so we want to make sure that he’s ready to go. We’re going to be smart with it at the same time but we definitely want to see him get some work in that first half.”
Smallwood has his fingers crossed the quad won’t act up as it did last week. The product of Wilmington, Del., will have to prove he’s ready in pre-game.
“The trainers and coaches, theydidn’tthinkthatIhadmy last burst,” Smallwood said of the previous game. “I didn’t feel like I was up to full speed. I was at like 85 percent. Running,Ididn’tfeellikeIhadthat last gear. They were like, ‘no need to rush it.’ This week I’m back to full speed, so I didn’t risk anything.”
Smallwood rushed for a career-best 1,519 yards (6.4 yard average) and 12 touchdowns with the Mountaineers last season. He felt it best to move on, rather than return for his senior year as he was the toprated running back from the conference in the draft.
Smallwood long-jumped 10 feet at the combine and, with everyone watching, benchpressed 225 pounds 14 times. He was ranked 14th among runningbacksbyNFLDraftScout in a lottery where Zeke Elliott and Heisman Trophy winner Derrick Henry topped the class.
The Eagles had no issue with Smallwood’s off-the-field baggage, as they were satisfied allegations he tried to intimidate a witness were unfounded. That may have impacted where he came off the board in the draft. Then again, thecurrenthealthissueisared flag.
Smallwood feels he’s totally healthy.
The Eagles want him to prove it by letting him rip.
“They said I’m going to be playingalot,”Smallwoodsaid. “I need those reps. They told me I’m going to be playing a lot because I need those reps, I need experience. We’re playing Cleveland in a couple of weeks and I need to prepare myself before it gets to the next level.”
Pederson wants the first team offense to play into the third quarter. Guys like Smallwood and newly acquired wide receiver Dorial Green-Beckham can expect to mix in during the first half.
While Smallwood doesn’t feel the loss of snaps in live periods will make a difference, that’s basically what you’d expect from a rookie about to learn how much faster the pro game is.
Smallwood, who has shown he can catch passes, also needs to come up big in pass protection and on special teams. The last thing the Eagles need is a one-dimensional rookie tipping off the limited array of plays they can run when he’s on the field.
“I think I’ve been progressing very well with it, just learning the techniques and the system and all the calls the line has,” Smallwood said. “I think I’ve picked it up. (Running backs coach) Duce Staley throws random questions at me, and I’m right on time with them. I think I’m doing very well in that area.
“One thing Duce always focuses on is, ‘let’s do our job. Do our job. Get our job done and not try to do too much.’”
For Wendell Smallwood, the first order of business is getting on the field. *** The Eagles have shopped defensive lineman Taylor Hart (6-6, 281), according to Jason LaCanfora.
Hart is closer to 300 pounds than 281, can play end in a 3-4 defense or tackle in the 4-3 scheme the Eagles use.
Hart has looked solid, even dominating at times in practices, but the Eagles have a surplus of tackles.
Fletcher Cox, Bennie Logan and Beau Allen likely are on the 53-man roster.
Veteran Mike Martin almost certainly will make the team. The Eagles also like undrafted rookie Destiny Vaeao (6-3, 299).
There’s no way the Eagles will keep more than five tackles,atleastformorethanaday or two.
The Eagles also are heavy at defensive end where it looks like Marcus Smith II, the 2014 first round pick, is vying with Stephen Means for the fifth spot.
No one would be surprised if Smith was traded, although in all fairness, the current staff has molded him into a pass rusher.
The Eagles might be able to deal linebacker Mychal Kendricks as well. With Stephen Tulloch aboard, middle linebacker Jordan Hicks could swing to the weak side, where he was a playmaker last season.
On the offensive side of the ball, the Eagles are dead set on going forward with Sam Bradford at quarterback. After watching rookie Carson Wentz for a couple of quarters, what else is there to say but Chase Daniel, anyone?
Wide receiver-kick returner Michael Huff is another offensive player who might bring something in a trade.
*** Rueben Randle (illegal bat, shift), Isaac Seumalo (false start, holding), Zach Ertz (false start, interference), Blake Countess (2 special teams) and Andrew Gardner (2 false starts) are tied for the team lead with two penalties each in the preseason.