Eagles could have four-headed monster on their hands

The Eagles already have a running back threesome that keeps Chip Kelly positively giddy when thinking of the possibilities.

And if Saturday’s win over the Ravens in Preseason Week 2 is any indication of how the Eagles will use DeMarco Murray, Darren Sproles and Ryan Mathews together it will be quite a productive ground attack.

Both Murray and Mathews found the end zone with Sproleslining up all over the place, including in the slot, where he proved once again to be a potent pass catcher.

With Murray and Mathews each coming along slowly during camp (to hopefully ensure the pair’s health when the season begins), Kelly was pleased with the running game Saturday evening as he headed to the film room to prepare for Monday’s practice.

“DeMarco showed a little pop today, when you watched him hit it and come out the other side. I was happy with all three of those guys.”

Not to be outdone, the Eagles may need to make room for a fourth running back after the performance of Kenjon Barnerduring both of the Birds’ tune-ups this summer.

“He’s making a huge case,” Kelly said.”You go back‑to‑back weeks with a punt return for a touchdown and I think he made some good plays in the run game.”

Barner nearly made the roster last year, but got hurt in the Eagles final preseason game. And after two special teams lightning strikesand ten rushes for 44 yards, he looks to be on the cusp of breaking through, thanks in no small part to his in-camp mentor, Sproles.

“I’m in Darren’s back pocket twenty-four-seven,” Barner, who played for Kelly at Oregon, said.Anything that guy tells me, I listen to. For pre-game I was able to watch him and then go back and have about a five-10 minute conversation with him about where the ball was going to drop, how it was going to turn, who was booming it and who wasn’t. Sproles plays a big part in my success in the punt return because he’s always in my head.”