THE EAGLES' signing of 245-pound running back LeGarrette Blount last month got a lot of attention, both locally and nationally.
He gives the Eagles a punishing runner who should make them more effective this season in short-yardage and goal-line situations.
The Eagles finished 11th in the NFL in rushing last year (113.3 yards per game), but only 23rd in first-down percentage on run plays with three yards or less to go (61.0 percent).
All that said, unless coach Doug Pederson plans to completely reconfigure his offense, don't look for the 30-year-old Blount to come anywhere close to matching the career highs he had last season with the Patriots in rushing attempts (299) and snaps (527).