Darren Sproles is probably done

[Iggloo]

Unfortunately he broke his wrist AND suffered a torn ACL on the same play last week. He is 34 and this is likely the end of the line for him.


Sproles is a somewhat under-appreciated player, I think. He is top 10 all time in all purpose yards, between LaDainian Tomlinson and Steve Smith.

NFL All-Purpose Yards Career Leaders | Pro-Football-Reference.com

He will probably not go into the Hall of Fame, because jack of all trades players like him don't get respect, but he is arguably the best scatback of all time.

 

[jarntt]

Wow, didn't realize that. Always liked Sproles.

 

[fordman84]

Dude was always a beast and I hated facing him. Sucks to see him go out like this.

 

[Rock Strongo]

hell of a career

mighty mouse

 

[Sharkonabicycle]

Honest to God I thought Darren Sproles quit football like 2 years ago. I'm honestly shocked he is (was) still playing.

 

[Hank Kingsley]

When he got the ball my asshole tightened up till he was tackled.

I feared him on a return.

I saw him go off yesterday and thought it looked bad.

 

[mcnabb7542]

It's a shame, this guy gave the game everything he had, class act on and off the field.....

Heal fast man!

 

[Rock Strongo]

Unfortunately he broke his wrist AND suffered a torn ACL on the same play last week. He is 34 and this is likely the end of the line for him.


Sproles is a somewhat under-appreciated player, I think. He is top 10 all time in all purpose yards, between LaDainian Tomlinson and Steve Smith.

NFL All-Purpose Yards Career Leaders | Pro-Football-Reference.com

He will probably not go into the Hall of Fame, because jack of all trades players like him don't get respect, but he is arguably the best scatback of all time.

i have been thinking about your "arguably the greatest scat back in nfl history" thing...
a scat back is just a guy whos speed and atheticism trumps his brute ability to pound. versatile utility back, like a utility infielder in baseball i guess.


sayers was probably the first.
barry sanders?
shit, even at 3rd down backs...ronnie harmon was very good.

sproles was a very nice player, but greatest scat back ever?

 

[flyerhawk]

I don't think he is even the best scat back in Eagles history. I'd take Brian Westbrook over him.

But a great player nonetheless.

 

[DirtDirtDirt]

Honest to God I thought Darren Sproles quit football like 2 years ago. I'm honestly shocked he is (was) still playing.

I thought jake Lamotta died in the 90's

 

[DirtDirtDirt]

if youre gonna go out, go out in style and break and tear everything

 

[Iggloo]

Some of the guys you are citing, I would just consider every-down running backs, but no doubt, if Sanders had been used in the role that Sproles was used in, he would have been the best ever at it, given that he is basically the best RB ever, or one of the top 3.

 

[Rock Strongo]

I don't think he is even the best scat back in Eagles history. I'd take Brian Westbrook over him.

But a great player nonetheless.

vai sikahema!

 

[Ojb81]

I don't think he is even the best scat back in Eagles history. I'd take Brian Westbrook over him.

But a great player nonetheless.

brian westbrook wasn't really a scat back, though, he was more than that.

 

[Rock Strongo]

Some of the guys you are citing, I would just consider every-down running backs, but no doubt, if Sanders had been used in the role that Sproles was used in, he would have been the best ever at it, given that he is basically the best RB ever, or one of the top 3.

its not the role, its the skill set.

smaller guys who used evasiveness and quickness to move the ball vs brute force. ikts a very vague term.

sanders by definition was a scat back vs say, erick dickerson, who wasnt.

 

[Rock Strongo]

Scatback Definition - Sporting Charts

A "scatback" is a halfback or tailback and is more of a utility back than a traditional running back. Whereas a traditional tailback or fullback tends to run vertically through offensive tackles, relying on power to shrug off and shed tacklers, scatbacks are more versatile, and are often used in rushing plays to the outside parts of the field. Since scatbacks possess more speed, they can reach the outside and "turn the corner" faster than traditional backs, beating defenders and gaining yardage away from the largest mass of players on the field.

Quick running backs like the scatback also tend to be the target of more receptions from the quarterback, receiving screen passes and passes in the flat. They are more of a threat in the open field, as their size and speed can cause defenders to miss tackles, creating a larger potential for big plays. Since scatbacks also tend to be smaller than many players, they can use their size to their advantage by hiding behind the offensive line, making it harder for defenses to locate them during a play. Some scatbacks will also often play a role on special teams as kickoff and punt returners, using their speed and maneuverability to provide their team with good field position.

 

[Iggloo]

Honest to God I thought Darren Sproles quit football like 2 years ago. I'm honestly shocked he is (was) still playing.

He's actually been pretty decent the past few years, running, catching passes and returning kicks and punts. He's scored quite a few times despite his advancing age.

 

[Iggloo]

OK, well you can argue with the term scatback to describe what Sproles has brought, but he has been a very good all-purpose player, catching passes, running the ball and returning kicks and punts for more than a dozen years.

 

[Iggloo]

vai sikahema!

He is a broadcaster in Philly. He had a very good TD celebration for an old school guy.

 

[Manster7588]

Dude was always a beast and I hated facing him. Sucks to see him go out like this.

Yep, sucks for Sproles, however as a Dallas fan, I'm not disappointed. Wishing him a speady recovery.