I really love the Eagles signing of Ronnie Brown. Andy Reid and Marty Mornhinweg have a bad habit of not using the RBs enough. Sometimes this has felt like a chicken vs the egg issue. Do the coaches not use the backups because they weren’t good enough or do the backups not perform well because the coaches don’t use them enough? I think the backups were definitely hurt by a lack of consistent touches. It is also true that we’ve not had the most talented guys in the world.

The Eagles added a complete RB in Brown. The coaches have no excuses not to use him. Ronnie has plenty of size at 6’0, 230. He’s strong enough to break tackles and occasionally run over defenders. He’s run for 36 TDs in his career. Brown isn’t a pure power runner. He is excellent in space. He’s elusive and able to make the first defender miss. Brown cuts well and has good burst. He lacks elite speed, but runs well for a big back.

Brown is able to handle all areas of the passing game. He is a very good pass blocker. He can chips DEs or stonewall blitzers. Brown is a capable receiver. He excels on screen passes.

Brown isn’t a workhorse runner. In college he shared carries with Cadillac Williams. In Miami he shared carries with Ricky Williams. Wait…we need to go sign a RB named Williams, right? Ronnie has never averaged 20 carries per game. Sharing time is something that Brown is used to doing.

I had doubts about whether Brown would be interested in coming to Philly at all. My doubts were strictly based on the notion that I thought he’d want more touches elsewhere. My hope is that since the team signed Brown they are making a commitment to using the backup RB more.

One way to do that is by letting him be the Wildcat QB. You can pull Mike Vick out of the game and let Brown and Shady McCoy run the option. Ronnie knows what he’s doing. That’s a way to run and be creative. I support anything that will get Marty/Andy to run more.

Brown had limited team success in Miami, making just one trip to the playoffs. He is here in Philly to play on a winner and also to showcase his wares for next March. Brown will turn 30 in December, but there is plenty of tread left on the tire because he’s never had to carry a team on his back. Very good signing.

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Ryan Harris looked like one of the best young OTs in football following the 2008 season. He had just started all 16 games at RT for the Broncos. According to Stats Inc, he allowed just 2.5 sacks that year. Denver finished 2nd in the NFL in yards gained that season. Over the next couple of years Harris struggled with injuries. He started 18 of 32 possible games. His level of play slipped as well.

I watched some tape of Harris to get a feel for him. I studied him plenty at Notre Dame, but hadn’t watched him much in the last couple of years. The tape wasn’t pretty. The problem is that Harris was playing on a bad ankle. He reached way too much and had trouble with his balance. Give him credit for playing on a bum wheel. You can see he’s smart and talented, but he wasn’t good.

When he is healthy, Harris is an effective starting RT. He played LT in college and is used to protecting the QB’s backside. He’s more of a pass blocker than run blocker. Harris isn’t a guy that will drive defenders off the ball. He only goes about 310 pounds and is at his best when using good technique. He’s not huge or special athletically.

I like the signing because you have a player that has been a good starting RT in the NFL. He fits us in terms of style and system. He dealt with a toe injury in 2009 and an ankle in 2010. Harris must stay healthy to be a good player. He’s not gifted enough to be good at 85%. I do not think he is here to be the RT. I think Harris is here to challenge for the job and offer us insurance in case the other players don’t pan out.

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The Eagles also added Safety Jarrad Page. Adam Caplan had been saying for the last week that the team needed to add a veteran Safety. I was actually fine with the group as is. Page is interesting. He is 6’0, 225, but in his years as a starter in KC he played FS. Guys with his build tend to play SS. The Chiefs had an even bigger guy at SS (230-pound Bernard Pollard).

Page is a physical hitter and tackler. He has good ball skills. He picked off 4 passes in 2008 and has 12 for his career. He is not someone you want to use in man coverage. He is at a crossroads in his career. Page was a starter in KC. He got hurt in 2009 and only played in 5 games. He played for the Patriots in 2010, but was purely a role player and STer. Are his days as a starter completely gone? Is he willing to embrace the role of backup and STer?

I think the Eagles should add him to the mix at SS. I do not anticipate him being the starter, but he’s shown the ability to be an effective starter. I think Page will have to play really well to even earn a roster spot. The only reason to keep a veteran at Safety is if he clearly outplays one of the young guys. I have no problem with the Eagles adding Page, but I’ve got low expectations for him. He worked out with Jay Glazer doing MMA training during the lockout. Glazer has had some players do well after that training. Maybe it will help get Page back on the right track and he will be a surprise player.

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I mentioned a post that would talk about the differences in our free agent binge of 2011 and the moves the Skins are famous for making. I’m not done writing it. That will be separate.

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We’re all glad WR Jeremy Maclin reported to Lehigh today, but we still don’t know what’s going on. Maclin could be going to visit some members of the Eagles medical staff up there. He might be going because he is ready to practice. This is all still a mystery. I take him going up there as a good sign, but it doesn’t mean the situation is over. Let’s hope for the best and wait for the team to officially say something.

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I’ve been asked about possible depth chart ideas with the O-line moves and news. I’ll work on that. I know Jason Peters is the LT. Beyond that…lots of guessing. I’d like to see Todd stay at LG and Jamaal at C so we can at least have some stability.