Not since notorious Ricky Williams have Eagles fans been as enamored with a running back in the draft, only this time around their man is coming home. Knowhson Moreno lasted on the board long enough for Reid's war room to make the slam dunk pick, an instant favorite before ever donning midnight green.
And it was 100% the right move. There were a lot of great prospects in this draft who could have provided immediately relief at other positions, but the Eagles needed a player who could step in for Westbrook as early as week 1 if needed. Some teams can get by with a late round pick, spelling him with a veteran option on passing downs, but this club had such a derth of talent after the starter, an injury prone 30-year-old, they needed a back with a deep skill set (re: running, receiving, pass blocking) to bring stability in case he must step in fulltime, and all too possible scenario.
Oh yeah, and he simply looks like a great player.
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What else is there to say? It was more important to the completion of their offseason transformation to take a running back than the impact any receiver, tight end, or defender would prove to have. This is a club that, by lopping 15 years off their offensive line and adding a true fullback, has indicated through a series of aggressive moves that there will in fact be a running game in this town. 3rd and 1 and goalline situations now fear the Eagles.
And one would hope not just in '09, but for a long time to come. Moreno could anchor the position long after Westbrook is gone.