Buckley can make an impact -- if he sees the field.


LeSean McCoy has been very good in his rookie season. He's been very good running the football and even occasionally working as a receiver out of the backfield.

His field vision is that of a player with a lifetime of NFL experience and his desire to be better not just every year or every game, but every snap, is what will eventually make him a great running back in this league.

Leonard Weaver has been great as a change-of-pace for McCoy. He's left his comfort zone as a fullback and has done whatever Andy Reid and the coaching staff has asked, putting the team in a better position in the running game and overall. However, the man being left out in this mix is the surprising Eldra Buckley.

I'm not going to go into Buckley's past -- where he played high school or college ball and what his stats were -- but what I can tell you is what I've had a first-hand experience of seeing, and that's a tough and determined running back just looking for an opportunity.

He's been the best player on special teams -- kickoff coverage especially -- by being extremely physical and unafraid to put his body on the line. He's paid his dues on special teams, and especially with the problems the Eagles are having with short-yardage situations, it's time for a hard-nosed kid looking to make a statement.

I'm not saying give him 15 carries per game, I'm just saying it's time to see what he can do. Perhaps he can give this offense the hard-nosed, smash mouth element that they've been missing without sacrificing its first real fullback in a few years.