Post by EagleGene on Dec 1, 2005 7:43:59 GMT -5
Moats finally makes his debut at running back
By ROB MAADDI, AP Sports Writer
December 1, 2005
PHILADELPHIA (AP) -- Ryan Moats took a handoff, cut to the right and was tackled after gaining just 2 yards.
The rookie running back will never forget that seemingly meaningless run because he waited a long time to get his first carry in the NFL with the Philadelphia Eagles.
A third-round pick in this year's draft, Moats figured to have an immediate role in Philadelphia's offense. Instead, he dressed for only one of the first 10 games and left that one with a concussion after his second kickoff return.
Moats finally worked his way into the rotation in Sunday's 19-14 victory over Green Bay. He ran six times for 24 yards, including a nifty 12-yard scamper for a first down in the fourth quarter. Moats also contributed on special teams, recovering a fumble on a kickoff.
"In my heart, I knew that I belonged," Moats said. "I went through preseason and that is a test right there. It just feels good to contribute for the team. I just told myself before the game to calm down, relax and have fun. I have been doing this for a long time, so I just relaxed."
The speedy, shifty Moats ran for 1,774 yards and 18 touchdowns and averaged 6.2 yards per carry last season at Louisiana Tech, when he was the Western Athletic Conference player of the year. He finished with 3,176 yards rushing and 28 TDs in three seasons, and had 15 100-yard rushing games in his final two years, including seven 200-yard performances.
With Brian Westbrook coming off a Pro Bowl season, Moats wasn't expected to come in as the No. 1 running back, or even the No. 2. Once Correll Buckhalter went down in training camp with his third season-ending injury in four years, it seemed to open the way for Moats.
But the Eagles wanted a veteran backup, so they signed Lamar Gordon and Moats broke camp as the No. 4 back behind third-year pro Reno Mahe.
"I have always told you that running back is one of the toughest positions to learn in this offense, because you are dealing with every facet of the offense from the run game to the passing game," Eagles coach Andy Reid said. "It takes a little bit of time and this has been new for him. He is coming from an I-back offense where they didn't ask him to do a lot. We are asking him to do a few different things. That takes some time."
Moats has spent a lot of time working with running backs coach Ted Williams and offensive assistant Bill Shuey. He's struggled to grasp all the intricacies of Philadelphia's version of the West Coast offense, but has reached a point where he can finally contribute.
"It's had its ups and downs, but that is like anything," Moats said. "Every team in the NFL has its ups and downs. It's a roller-coaster ride."
Moats was the eighth running back drafted when the Eagles selected him with the 77th overall pick. His size -- Moats is listed at 5-foot-8 and 210 pounds -- may have been a reason he was overlooked by some teams.
Now that the Eagles are committed to running the ball more without Donovan McNabb and Terrell Owens, Moats could see even more action in the final five games.
"Each week we work him. It was his time to get in there and give him the opportunity," Reid said. "He was a little more comfortable then he has been in the past. We'll see how it goes. We'll see how he handles increased packages."
Updated on Thursday, Dec 1, 2005 3:14 am EST
By ROB MAADDI, AP Sports Writer
December 1, 2005
PHILADELPHIA (AP) -- Ryan Moats took a handoff, cut to the right and was tackled after gaining just 2 yards.
The rookie running back will never forget that seemingly meaningless run because he waited a long time to get his first carry in the NFL with the Philadelphia Eagles.
A third-round pick in this year's draft, Moats figured to have an immediate role in Philadelphia's offense. Instead, he dressed for only one of the first 10 games and left that one with a concussion after his second kickoff return.
Moats finally worked his way into the rotation in Sunday's 19-14 victory over Green Bay. He ran six times for 24 yards, including a nifty 12-yard scamper for a first down in the fourth quarter. Moats also contributed on special teams, recovering a fumble on a kickoff.
"In my heart, I knew that I belonged," Moats said. "I went through preseason and that is a test right there. It just feels good to contribute for the team. I just told myself before the game to calm down, relax and have fun. I have been doing this for a long time, so I just relaxed."
The speedy, shifty Moats ran for 1,774 yards and 18 touchdowns and averaged 6.2 yards per carry last season at Louisiana Tech, when he was the Western Athletic Conference player of the year. He finished with 3,176 yards rushing and 28 TDs in three seasons, and had 15 100-yard rushing games in his final two years, including seven 200-yard performances.
With Brian Westbrook coming off a Pro Bowl season, Moats wasn't expected to come in as the No. 1 running back, or even the No. 2. Once Correll Buckhalter went down in training camp with his third season-ending injury in four years, it seemed to open the way for Moats.
But the Eagles wanted a veteran backup, so they signed Lamar Gordon and Moats broke camp as the No. 4 back behind third-year pro Reno Mahe.
"I have always told you that running back is one of the toughest positions to learn in this offense, because you are dealing with every facet of the offense from the run game to the passing game," Eagles coach Andy Reid said. "It takes a little bit of time and this has been new for him. He is coming from an I-back offense where they didn't ask him to do a lot. We are asking him to do a few different things. That takes some time."
Moats has spent a lot of time working with running backs coach Ted Williams and offensive assistant Bill Shuey. He's struggled to grasp all the intricacies of Philadelphia's version of the West Coast offense, but has reached a point where he can finally contribute.
"It's had its ups and downs, but that is like anything," Moats said. "Every team in the NFL has its ups and downs. It's a roller-coaster ride."
Moats was the eighth running back drafted when the Eagles selected him with the 77th overall pick. His size -- Moats is listed at 5-foot-8 and 210 pounds -- may have been a reason he was overlooked by some teams.
Now that the Eagles are committed to running the ball more without Donovan McNabb and Terrell Owens, Moats could see even more action in the final five games.
"Each week we work him. It was his time to get in there and give him the opportunity," Reid said. "He was a little more comfortable then he has been in the past. We'll see how it goes. We'll see how he handles increased packages."
Updated on Thursday, Dec 1, 2005 3:14 am EST