Seems like it’s all set up for young undrafted RB rookie Chris Polk to show what he can do…
Chris Polk, UDFA RB, 5-11, 222, surprisingly undrafted out of U. of Washington after a great collegiate career… medical concerns about his chronic dislocated shoulder problem kept him undrafted until the Eagles eventually signed him to a training camp contract this past Spring… Now is his chance to prove the naysayers wrong about his durability…
Polk, the second-leading rusher in Washington Huskies program history, ran for 1,488 yards and 12 touchdowns last season for his college. He was projected by many as a second-round pick. He fell off the charts. Now he gets a chance to feature his skills against the Pittsburgh Steelers–albeit, their 2nd and 3rd team defense…
Polk rushed for 4,049 yards on 799 carries over 40 games at Washington. He ended his college career just 57 yards shy of Napoleon Kaufman’s school rushing record. He ran for 1,113 yards as a redshirt freshman in 2009 and 1,415 yards in 2010. “Chris had a terrific career at Washington and deserves the opportunity to move on to the next level,” Huskies coach Steve Sarkisian said in a prepared statement. “We wish him nothing but the best in what I’m sure will be a great professional career.”
Which brings us to the current roster battle for backup RB on display Thursday night as the Steelers invade Philly for Preseason Game #1…
From the Eagles’ perspective, there is an intriguing variety of position groups in which relatively unproven players will no doubt begin to separate themselves. Among them is backup running back, which is interesting not only because of the way newcomers Bryce Brown and Chris Polk have pushed incumbent Dion Lewis for the primary role behind RB#1 LeSean McCoy, but also because all three could wind up making the team and contributing in their own ways…
Of all the second- and third-year players in camp, Lewis may be the most improved, making himself extremely hard to tackle, picking up every blitzer in sight, catching everything thrown his way and not losing his grip of the ball when hit.
Brown, listed as the third running back, is a smooth and polished runner whose speed and ability to make people miss belies the bulk (6-0, 223) and power that often makes those who do make contact wish they hadn’t.
Polk (5-11, 222) offers the same power but is further along in pass blocking, which has always been a big deal for backs in the Eagles’ system. Polk provided the two best hits of the day this past Monday when he flattened safety Phillip Thomas in a blitz pickup drill and later did the same to cornerback Brandon Hughes in a scrimmage.
“I liked the crowd reaction,” Polk admitted. “I liked the defense’s reaction even more, like the last couple plays when they were really trying to get after me. It just really energized me. It was great to see that, how competitive we are and how much we get after it.”
Polk and Brown have played so well in camp that it has led to the speculation that the Eagles might go without a true fullback on this year’s roster. If they don’t? Offensive coordinator Marty Mornhinweg doesn’t even want to go there.
What Marty was willing to talk about was the backup quarterback spot, which clearly is Mike Kafka’s to lose, and the offensive line, which he admitted “has a bit of rust here.”
Backup center will be an important battle, because the man who wins the job will be new to the regular roster. Dallas Reynolds is the front-runner. But Steve Vallos, Mike Gibson and Julian Vandervelde also are in the mix.
Another aspect worth checking out is the blocking ability of tight ends Brett Brackett and Chase Ford.
Defensively, second-year safety Jaiquawn Jarrett, who likely will start because Nate Allen is out with a hamstring injury, has the most to prove. This will be an excellent chance for Jarrett against the Steelers.
Reid announced on Wednesday that with the exception of certain position groups where multiple players are routinely rotated, the players will split time in the Steelers game based on which quarterback is playing — Mike Vick in the first quarter leading the first team, Kafka in the second with the second team, Nick Foles in the third with the third team and Trent Edwards in the fourth with everyone else.
INJURY UPDATES
S Nate Allen (hamstring), TE Brent Celek (knee), DE Trent Cole (shoulder), DE Jason Babin (calf), LB Jamar Chaney (hamstring), WR Riley Cooper (collarbone), CB Cliff Harris (ankle) and G Brandon Washington (concussion) are out…
We will turn this forum over to the Smart Phans as they comment on the Livefyre Broadcast Wire when the Eagles and Steelers kick off on Thursday night at 7:30 PM EST… Stay tuned… This game will be locally televised on ABC affiliate Channel 6, but will not be shown live nationaly on NFLN or ESPN… BUT check here for advisories from our Livefyre correspondents on internet channels available for free viewing…. Plus, the NFLN will re-broadcast the game in its entirety on Friday, August 10th…
Add The Sports Daily to your Google News Feed!
