BETHLEHEM - Eagles president Joe Banner noted last weekend that the Eagles are becoming a priority NFL destination, a team players want to join.
There might not be a better example of that than yesterday's news that ex-Dolphin Ronnie Brown will back up LeSean McCoy this season, after signing a 1-year deal for about $1 million, plus some incentives.
Brown, 29, was the second player selected in the 2005 draft, and a 2008 Pro Bowl selection after he returned from missing part of 2007 with an ACL tear. It's hard to believe he couldn't find a place that would offer more money and more carries than he is likely to get with the Eagles. In fact, the Miami Herald reported that the Chargers, Ravens and Rams all wanted Brown, and that Brown took less money to come to the Eagles. A source close to the situation said that was the case.
Brown is 6-foot, 230, with the kind of inside power the Eagles need in a McCoy complement, plus - critical for any back who wants to play in this offense - he's a solid pass receiver.
"He was looking for the right opportunity, not just the money," agent Todd France said. "He felt Philly was the best. He has been smart financially, and is looking at the big picture."
The big picture would include a chance to gain some Super Bowl luster, then become a free agent in the offseason. That would be quarterback Vince Young's thinking in signing a 1-year Eagles deal, as well.
Brown carried 200 times last season for 734 yards and five touchdowns. McCoy had 207 carries in Andy Reid's pass-first scheme, gaining 1,080 yards and scoring seven touchdowns. Eagles running backs other than McCoy managed just 78 carries last season, when the Eagles set franchise records for points and overall yardage. (That's if you figure Chad Hall's nine carries as belonging to a wideout.) Running backs other than McCoy caught 21 passes (again, excluding Hall's 11).
Brown has never carried the ball fewer than 200 times in a full season.
"Ronnie is an all-around running back with a versatile skillset," Eagles general manager Howie Roseman said in a statement released by the team. "He can run the ball, catch it, and does very well in pass protection. He'll add some good size to our backfield, and he's a good character guy. We think he'll be a tremendous complement to LeSean and the other young backs on this team that we really like."
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