FOXBOROUGH, Mass. — Donnel Pumphrey set the all-time collegiate rushing record as a senior at San Diego State, but the Eagles didn’t expect that sort of production from him this season as a rookie fourth-round pick. After all, he’s only 5-foot-9 and 175 pounds.
They figured he’d field a few kicks, earn a few runs, snag a few passes, and gain a few pounds. If things went right they would have a plug-in replacement if the biggest little man in the league, 5-6, 181-pound Darren Sproles, decided to retire after 12 seasons. Quick, fast, elusive, and tough, Sproles is the kind of weapon that can make a good offense great.