A year ago, the Eagles acquired multi-purpose running back Darren Sproles in a trade with the New Orleans Saints. The Eagles understood how tough it was to game plan for him in the NFC Wild Card matchup two seasons ago. They saw Sproles nearly end their season single-handedly with a 39-yard kickoff return late in the fourth quarter of that playoff game.
Sproles may only be 5-6, 190 pounds, but he provided plenty of big moments for the Eagles in 2014 resulting in his first Pro Bowl selection in 10 NFL seasons. On Wednesday, Sproles was named the 81st best player in the NFL by his peers on the NFL Network Top 100 Players of 2015.
"I remember when we played them, I came downhill on him and he just juked me and just took off," said Colts safety Mike Adams. "I think he scored on that play and it was a big third down. He plays big … he's a phenomenal player."
In his Eagles debut, Sproles took a handoff on a fourth-and-1 play and scored from 49 yards out to spark a comeback win over Jacksonville. One week later, in Indianapolis, Sproles earned NFC Offensive Player of the Week honors setting career highs in receiving yards (152) and yards from scrimmage (178) in the victory. Sproles scored on a spectacular 19-yard run, the one Adams was referring to, and had two receptions of 50 or more yards.
Sproles was named the NFC Special Teams Player of the Week twice after he returned a punt for a touchdown against San Francisco in Week 4 and again in Week 9 versus Carolina.
"I've always learned that the great returners see past the first wave; see past the first wave of guys and his ability to hit it with speed, he doesn't hesitate at all," said Dolphins wide receiver Jarvis Landry. "It's kind of hard when guys are 6-5 trying to reach for a 5-6 guy. I think that's one of the things that definitely made him a premier returner in this league."
"Anytime you give him the ball in space, he's going to be electric," said Giants punter Steve Weatherford. "You try to hit him in the ankles because his quads are about 30 inches around. He's incredibly tough to tackle. He's been doing it for a long time. Good person and I enjoy playing against him. It's a challenge."
At the end of the year, Sproles had 329 yards rushing on just 57 carries (a 5.8 yards per carry average). He had 40 catches for an additional 387 yards. He led the league in punt return average (13.0 yards per return) and was tied for the league lead with his two punt return touchdowns. His 506 punt return yards were the second-highest total in franchise history.
Sproles was the first Eagle and first running back to be revealed on the Top 100 list.
In his first year as an Eagle, sprightly running back Darren Sproles revolutionized the Eagles' punt return game and provided a big spark each week on offense ...
Sproles carried his trademark 43 into the City of Brotherly Love and instantly endeared himself to the Philly faithful with one heck of a 2014 season.
With the Eagles trailing 17-0 at halftime of Week 1, Sproles exploded for 51 yards and a touchdown in the first minutes of the second half.
Sproles' first touchdown of the year -- the first by an Eagle -- spurred a 34-point second-half explosion and a come-from-behind win for the Birds.
Sproles' first appearance with the Birds in primetime yielded an eye-popping 152 receiving yards and a rushing touchdown in a Monday Night win over the Colts.
In his first three games of the year, Sproles proved his versatility: he cobbled together 117 rushing yards, 196 receiving yards, and 114 punt return yards.
At San Francisco in Week 4, Sproles torched the 49ers for an 82-yard punt return, his first of the season.
The return was Sproles' longest punt return touchdown of his career, and his fourth since 2007.
Sproles carried the ball seven times for 51 yards against the Rams in Week 5 for an impressive 7.3 yards-per-carry average in the win.
On Black Sunday in Week 6, Sproles contributed a 43-yard punt return and 39 rush yards, including this rushing touchdown, as the Eagles shut out the Giants.
After missing Week 8 with an injury, Sproles returned with 90 more multi-purpose yards in the Birds' Week 9 win at Houston.
Sproles broke out his monster punt return game again in Week 10, taking his second return to the house against the Panthers.
Sproles' teammates celebrate his second punt return touchdown of the year with him. It marked the first time Sproles returned two punts for touchdowns in the same season.
Sproles would later tack on an eight-yard TD run, and he's pictured here saluting the Eagles fans after the touchdown that capped quite a night for the back.
Sproles ran for yet another touchdown in Week 12 against the Titans, his fifth on the year. Before 2014, Sproles had never run for more than three TDs in a single season.
Sproles would go on to earn AP second-team votes and a Pro Bowl spot for the first time in his career.
In Week 15, Sproles scored his sixth rushing touchdown of the year on a three-yard scamper against Dallas.
In Week 16, Sproles caught six passes for 43 yards against Washington.
Sproles finished his 10th year in the league with career highs in rushing touchdowns (6), punt return yards (506), punt return average (13.0), and punt return touchdowns (2).
