Don’t forget about Ryan Mathews when it comes to Eagles run game

The Eagles made the splash of the offseason by signing DeMarco Murray as the new running back, replacing LeSean McCoy.

In the season before, Darren Sproles proved he could handle some of the spotlight as well, turning in a Pro Bowl season.

Also in the mix was a third new running back. He comes equipped with starting experience and good numbers from San Diego. He's also often times the forgotten running back out of the Eagles new group.

Ryan Mathews could be in for an impactful season as well.

Like Sproles a season ago, this is an acquisition that gets put on the backburner a bit. For Sproles, it was standing in the shadow of McCoy. For Mathews, Murray and Sproles seem to get all of the attention.

Last season with San Diego, Mathews rushed for 330 yards and three touchdowns in six games. Twice in his career, Mathews has rushed for over 1,000 yards and has 23 touchdowns over his five-year career.

Mathews is not here to be in the starring role. He's here as a supporting cast member, to take the load off of Murray and Sproles.

Most likely, Mathews slides into the number two spot on the depth chart, with Sproles serving more of a role as an extra running back, option receiver and special teams returner.

Mathews, like Murray, is meant to bring to bring a more vertical game to the Eagles rushing attack. Far too many times last season, the Eagles were burned by McCoy's happy feat. This Eagles rushing regime is about attacking the hole and gaining the extra yards.

Murray is the workhorse, the big power back. Mathews is 6'0", the same height as Murray, and in fact, weighs more than both at 220 pounds. Yet Mathews has the ability to be quick on his feet and elusive despite that, essentially being a package of his two backfield comrades.

With Murray being so heavily used in Dallas last season and having to live up to greater expectations, it wouldn't be a shock for Mathews to try to alleviate the pressure, along with Sproles, but getting more work. 

He may be the forgotten running back in terms of offseason acquisitions, but he won't be forgotten when it comes time to take the field. He'll be another piece of a dynamic running game that could power the Eagles to the playoffs.

Kevin Durso is managing editor for Eagledelphia. Follow him on Twitter @Kevin_Durso.