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Four Players Who Have Been Carrying The Philadelphia Eagles

By Kevin McGuire

The Philadelphia Eagles are off this weekend after smashing the New York Giants on Sunday night. At 5-1, the Eagles have every reason to be feeling good entering the off week, but this can also be a good a time as any to start evaluating who has been performing well and who has some room for improvement when the team gets back on the field. The Eagles will take on the Arizona Cardinals on the road two Sundays from now, but here are some of the players who have come up big for the Eagles so far, and a couple who have had to be carried.

Studs

Darren Sproles, Running Back

The entire Eagles running game has struggled to get on track this season behind an offensive line that has been shifting pieces around trying to overcome injuries and a suspension. LeSean McCoy is still the face of the running game, but Darren Sproles has come up with some big plays when given some opportunities to make something happen in the running game or on special teams. He goes to the bye week injured, but when he comes back healthy he should continue to be capable of providing a spark.

Cody Parkey, Kicker

There may be no bigger of a pleasant surprise for the Eagles this season than rookie kicker Cody Parkey. Parkey has connected on 12 of 13 field goal attempts so far this season and has proven valuable in some close games early on this season. The Auburn product has hit both of his field goal attempts from 50 yards and beyond, and is perfect beyond 40 yards.

David Molk, Center

This might be a stretch, but the play of David Molk under center has been more than adequate while filling in for the injured Jason Kelce. Molk has embraced his opportunity to start with great energy and a positive attitude, and the playing experience now will only benefit him moving forward. As the rest of the offensive line continues to heal, Molk is fitting in just fine, as the running game seems to have found some traction.

Malcolm Jenkins, Safety

The play of the secondary has not been spectacular, but safety Malcolm Jenkins seems to be the exception to the rule in the Eagles defensive backfield. Jenkins leads the team with three interceptions, one of which was returned for a defensive touchdown against San Francisco. No other Eagles player has intercepted a pass.

Duds

Cary Williams, Cornerback

Through the first six games of the season, Cary Williams has zero interceptions and just two pass deflections. At this point in the season, you expect more form a starting cornerback. So far Williams has 25 tackles, and part of that is because he is targeted often by opposing quarterbacks.

Bradley Fletcher, Cornerback

The other part of the weak cog in the defensive secondary has been Bradley Fletcher. Fletcher has some mildly better numbers than his partner on the other side of the field, Williams, but Fletcher is not exactly a shutdown corner. If Fletcher struggles, the move to start Brandon Boykin could be looming.

 

For more Eagles news and updates, visit Eagles Central.

Kevin McGuire is a Philadelphia area sports writer covering the Philadelphia Eagles and college football. McGuire is a member of the FWAA and National Football Foundation. Follow McGuire on Twitter @KevinOnCFB. His work can be found on Examiner.com.

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