Iggles Blog - Philadelphia Eagles Blog

Hunt Isn't Happy

Remember when Tony Hunt seemed happy about the fullback opportunity?  When he was saying things like:

"Studying the position isn't really the thing. Playing running back, you know the fullback position..."

"Pass blocking is the same. It's not like I have to learn too much more. For the most part, you know a lot of the fullback [responsibility] from being a running back. I would say it's just the run blocking."

As well as:

"Most things are the same. You just know it, because you're in the same meeting room. It's not really much of a change . . . Pass plays, you're still doing the same thing on every pass play. The only thing that changes is the run-blocking, and it's not that hard. The guy's going to come to you. It's more about just wanting to do it..."

"I just want to play," Hunt said yesterday. "That's about it. Just from playing last year, you understand that Brian's going to play [at running back], and there's not really much room for a lot of other guys to play. You just know that you just want to play football. You want to get in the game. So any time they're telling you they want to put you on the football field, that's a good thing."

Let us know if you see that guy around anywhere, because now #29 is saying things like this:

"It's kind of frustrating trying to pick up a position this late in the preseason," said Hunt. "It's like 'All right. You've been doing this for a year and a half, but now we're going to try something different.' You have to start all over and get on the same page as guys who have been in there doing it. So, you know, it is a little frustrating..."

"I've never done this, so I have no clue" how long it will take, Hunt said. "I've only been doing this for a week and a half . . . It would be like me asking you how long it would take you to go be an astronaut."

Come on, man.  You can do this.  Just keep blowing it out on special teams and stay low on those linebackers.

You Knew This Was Coming

Five things that didn't suck about tonight's game:

1. The final score.
2. The defense.
3. DeSean Jackson.
4. Sav Rocca.

And #5, Tony F-in' Hunt:

Tony Hunt Flashback

31 carries, 158 yards

The Problem For Tony Hunt

We get our first Tony Hunt media sighting of training camp today. 

The biggest problem for Tony is that he's not a training camp type of player.  Brian Westbrook -- training camp player.  Lorenzo Booker -- he's a training camp player.  Those are the guys who can run around in seven-on-seven drills and show off how fast they are, how smoothly they catch the football, etc.  That's not Tony's deal/

Hunt needs to hope the third-team offensive line shows up to block for him during the preseason games.

Is This How They Ended Up With Hunt?

I never knew about this connection before today:

The Eagles announced on Tuesday that they have named Jon Sandusky director of pro personnel and Louis Riddick pro scout.

Sandusky, formerly a pro scout with the Eagles, is in his eighth season with the team. In his new role, the 31-year-old Sandusky will manage the pro scouting department evaluating players among the professional ranks, advance scouting of upcoming opponents and preparing the club for acquisitions through free agency and the waiver wire. In addition, he also assists in the cross check of college players prior to the draft. A native of State College, PA, Sandusky was a safety and special teams player for Penn State from 1996-99. His father, Jerry, is the legendary Penn State defensive coordinator.

You know where Hunt would be a great fit?  Chicago. 

And I think they have an opening.

- - - - - -

Also interesting:

"Winston Justice again played in place of Shawn Andrews at right guard."

Nervous Times for Tony Hunt

The Eagles aren't likely to give up on last year's third-round draft pick so soon, but Penn State alum Tony Hunt has to be a little nervous about his situation this year.  With the Eagles appearing committed to Westbrook as an every-down, load-carrying back, there's some question as to what value a pure grind-em-down runner like Hunt actually brings to the roster.  If the third running back is only going to get a handful of carries a game -- at most -- it might make much more sense for him to be someone who's a threat to take it to the house on every play. 

Due to an influx of eligible juniors, this draft is loaded with running back talent.  The Eagles won't be in the running for a top-name guy like Darren McFadden, but if Ray Rice is available as a value pick somewhat later in the draft, how do you pass him up? 

And unless I'm mistaken, Ryan Moats is still officially on the roster.  The guy's probably out of chances, but who knows, maybe something clicked last year during his lost season.

Or if you're looking for character guys, Warrick Dunn was just released as well.  He could immediately step in as the third-down back.

I hope Hunt has a good spring.

Fool Me Thrice...

Yeah, I know, Correll Buckhalter looks like he's out this week with a concussion, so Penn State grad Tony Hunt should move up to the #2 spot and potentially get some carries this week.  With little else good to talk about this week, a lot of people are jumping on the story of Hunt's big chance.

Other than the fun of seeing Dana Pennett O'Neill fluffing [giving the fluff piece treatment] to another running back from her alma mater (first link above), I just can't get excited this time around.  I thought before the season we were really going to see the return of the three-headed monster.  Nope.  And then when Buckhalter had to sit out the second Washington game with the flu, I thought maybe Hunt would get his chance then.  He got one carry.  Because Westbrook took himself out for a play.

It's also pretty clear now why the Eagles won't put him on the field.  Hopefully he can improve in this regard in the offseason:

''The thing he needed to work on most wasn't carrying the football, because he was OK there, and it wasn't blocking per se,'' Reid said.

''It was the blitz game. That's where most young running backs struggle for their first year or two. He's been working hard at it, and we'll just have to see how he does once he gets in the game.''

Hunt, who played in a Penn State offense that featured many elements of a pro-style attack, but not the brand of West Coast offense featured by the Eagles, acknowledged, ''I really didn't have any of this'' type of pass protection role in college.

''That's the main thing; you have to be able to pass protect here,'' Hunt said. ''Running the ball is running the ball. You do that all your life.''

I'd still love to see him get some carries, though.