Over the next week or so, we are taking a look back at some of the best Eagles of the 2010s by position. First up we ranked the top 10 quarterbacks of the past decade, and now we have moved on to the running backs. Some of these ballcarriers will bring up some painful memories of the past decade, while others will help Super Bowl memories dance in your heads. Here's how we see the top 10 running backs between 2010-2019:
10) DeMarco Murray
The talent was there, but the coaching scheme absolutely wasn’t. For the very short time that Murray was in Philadelphia, he was extremely ineffective. The one big thing we can thank Murray for was he was the first time we as a city questioned Chip Kelly. Murray recorded 702 rushing yards and scored six touchdowns on the ground in his lone season in Philadelphia. He added 44 receptions and 322 receiving yards with a reception touchdown as well.
9) Ryan Matthews
Another Chip Kelly move, however he fit the offense a lot better than DeMarco Murray did. His only issue was what ended his career, injuries. Ryan Matthews was constantly hurt throughout his career and he finally couldn’t play anymore after having a neck injury and retiring. In two seasons with the Birds, Mathews rushed for 1,200 yards and 14 touchdowns, with an additional 33 receptions for 261 yards and two receiving touchdowns.
8) Wendell Smallwood
I know you wouldn’t think of Smallwood of being a top 10 running back for the franchise in the decade, but for the 2010s there are slim pickings! Smallwood was one of the hardest workers we had in the team and he did everything that was asked of him and more. Smallwood was average or above average at everything he did, but just never had enough to win the starting job. In three seasons with the team, Smallwood had 850 rushing yards and five touchdowns; He also caught 47 passes for 388 receiving yards and two more touchdowns.
7) Corey Clement
If it weren’t for the Super Bowl performance, he probably wouldn’t be on this list. However, that year he was able to do some special things on the field as both a runner and a receiver during 2017 and showed that he has some real potential. Through three seasons, Clement has 580 rushing yards with six touchdowns, as well as 32 receptions for 315 yards and two receiving touchdowns. Of course in Super Bowl LII, he had 100 receiving yards on four receptions, and had that amazing touchdown in the back of the endzone where he was just able to get both feet in.
6) Jordan Howard
This was the last year of the decade and he was hurt for almost half the season, but when he played he was a force on the field. He fought for yards constantly and kept always moving forward. He is such a solid power RB and makes you think of someone a little higher on this list. In 2019 he had 525 rushing yards and six touchdowns on the ground, with an additional 10 catches, 69 yards and a receiving touchdown.
5) Jay Ajayi
He was another guy who had such great talent, but just couldn’t keep healthy. He was acquired in 2017 and gave the Eagles another spark in the backfield. He was pretty successful in his first year with the Eagles helping them win their first Super Bowl and was on track for a great second year before tearing his ACL. In parts of three seasons in Philadelphia, the JayTrain compiled 622 rushing yards with four touchdowns. He also caught 15 balls for 111 yards with one more touchdown.
4) LeGarrette Blount
This man was basically a tank plowing through a brick wall when the ball was in his hands --he couldn’t be stopped once he had some momentum. He was a key piece of that 2017 season, and was one of those players that helped build momentum to take over games. The Eagles really never have a power back like this before, and have yet to have one since.His lone season in Philadelphia saw him rush for 766 yards and two touchdowns, with eight receptions for 50 yards and one more touchdown through the air. In the playoffs is where he really excelled: 130 rushing yards and three touchdowns. he was the only Eagles skill player to score a touchdown in all three playoff games that year.
3) Miles Sanders
He was a rookie this year, but man he is so special. He has great speed, agility, elusiveness, and even some power. He led all rookies in scrimmage yards 2019, and should be considered one of the front runners for Rookie of the Year. He rushed for 818 yards and three touchdowns, with an additional 50 receptions for 509 yards three receiving touchdowns.
2) Darren Sproles
Mighty Mouse did everything for the Eagles. He ran, caught balls, returned punts, pass blocked, and anything else he was asked. He gave the Eagles everything he had during his stint with the team and cemented himself as an Eagles legend going forward. He ran for 1,331 yards with 12 touchdowns on the ground. He also caught 175 passes for 1,459 yards and five receiving touchdowns. Sproles was also one of the most prolific punt returners in team history, with the 2nd-most punt return yards (1,294) and tied for the most punt return touchdowns (4).
1) LeSean McCoy
Of course Shady McCoy is the best running back of the 2010s. He is the all-time leader in rushing yards for the Eagles franchise (6,792). He was a consistent top-five running back in the league in his years with the Eagles, and he would have had more if it wasn’t for the biggest idiot (Chip Kelly) in Eagles history. In addition to those 6,792 rushing yards, McCoy also rushed for 44 touchdowns (3rd-most in franchise history). He was also a major presence in the passing game, catching 300 passes (13th-most in team history) for 2,282 yards and 10 touchdowns.
