Can Clement pick up where he left off during the Super Bowl?
With Darren Sproles injured last season, the Philadelphia Eagles used undrafted rookie Corey Clement to fill his shoes. With LeGarrette Blount leading the charge and then the addition of Jay Ajayi, Clement was used sparingly. During the regular season, Clement rushed for 321 yards on 74 carries while catching 10 passes for 121 yards. Not monster numbers but it was a stepping stone for things to come.
Heading into the playoffs, it didn’t seem as if Clement would be a major factor. However, the play calling of Doug Pederson changed Clement’s and the Eagles’ season as the back would become what Sproles was supposed to be. His breakout performance (four receptions for 100 yards) against the Patriots on the NFL’s biggest stage should set the tone for a bigger role in 2018.
With Blount gone, Ajayi becomes the lead back and with Sproles healthy, that will leave Clement in the 2017 Ajayi role as a change of back pace. His 74 carries will likely double and those 10 receptions should triple. Although Sproles is a threat to his touches, Clement has proved that when called upon he can produce against any defense.
While many will point to Carson Wentz as the main X-Factor for the Eagles, it’s Corey Clement that will have a pivotal role in the Eagles chances of repeating in 2018.
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