Adrian Fedkiw
Mental processing. It’s the biggest leap most NFL players make heading into their second season as the game begins to slow down.
Nobody struggled with the scintillating speed of the sport more so than Donnel Pumphrey in 2017.
Pumphrey carried the ball 26 times for only 49 yards during last year’s preseason, a putrid 1.9 yards per carry. Pederson had a lot of plans for him, lining him up in the slot, with Sproles in pony packages and in the backfield during last season’s OTAs and Training Camp. That’s a lot to digest for a rookie, something Pumphrey admitted earlier this week.
Last year I felt like I was thinking a lot and really didn’t know where to be. I wasn’t able to play fast.
The Eagles traded up in the fourth round to select the FBS’ all-time leading rusher in the 2016 NFL Draft and despite how poor he looked last preseason, the team kept five running backs and Pumphrey made it.
Many speculated that the “phantom IR” situation would come into play and when Pumphrey injured himself, it’s exactly what people assumed. Pederson, however, was adamant that he indeed suffered a tear in his hamstring. Here’s Doug from September.
Pumphrey explained that being on IR allowed him to get stronger.
Being on IR, they had me strengthen my legs, get stronger and faster. I feel like I’m faster, I was able to put on weight the right way. I feel good out there.
Pumphrey stated in a Reuben Frank post in late May that he felt good in October.
I felt good around October-ish, but we were playing good and all our backs were playing good … I understood. It was more like a red-shirt year. I learned a lot last year just taking that season off. Plus (recovering from) all those carries I had in college.
As for making this Eagles team, it’s going to be difficult. Philadelphia kept five backs last year, but I’m thinking they put four on the roster for this season. Jay Ajayi, Corey Clement and Darren Sproles seem like locks to make the roster, so Pumphrey will be battling with Wendell Smallwood, Matt Jones and Josh Adams for that fourth slot.
This training camp is huge for me. I know I have to do well, play well in order to make this team. And that’s what it’s going to come down to. I don’t want to be known as a wasted pick, and I know I’m not that guy.
Eagles offensive coordinator Mike Groh stated Thursday that Pumphrey is putting himself in a position to compete for a roster spot.
I think he’s done a great job of putting himself in a position to compete for a roster spot. Just like all those guys. He knows it’s a competitive room. He’s trained hard and showed up and he’s making plays when the opportunity has come. But, again, all those guys are doing really well and will be evaluated throughout the course of the preseason.
While Pumphrey may have put on weight this offseason, I still question whether or not he’s shifty and elusive enough for the NFL. For someone of his stature, he needs to make people miss in the open field and he simply doesn’t do it consistently.
The other dilemma for Pumphrey is need because Adams and Jones are power backs, something the Eagles are now missing with LeGarrette Blount’s departure. So if Ajayi, Clement and Sproles most likely crack the 53 and the Eagles want a power guy, Pumphrey will be the odd man out.
Unless Pumphrey makes a significant leap forward in the preseason and looks so phenomenal that the Eagles basically have to keep him, it’s hard for me to envision how he makes the 53.
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