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Eagles’ McCoy, Sproles top NFL’s new offensive duos
By Vinnie Iyer
You can’t have enough offensive firepower in the modern NFL. The teams that have some want more, and aggressively go after it.
This offseason, through trades, draft picks and free-agent signings, exciting new duos have formed in many places around the league. Here the five that will be the most fun to watch, starting with the league’s speediest backfield.
Darren Sproles and LeSean McCoy (AP Photos)
1. LeSean McCoy and Darren Sproles , running backs, Philadelphia Eagles
After Chip Kelly tinkered with his inherited toys in his first season as Eagles coach, he remixed his diverse attack for Year 2. McCoy, fresh off winning a league rushing title, gets a shifty backup in Sproles. The bonus is what Sproles offers Kelly and Nick Foles as a quick outlet in the passing game. The Eagles are loaded with weapons, but Sproles can still have a huge impact with a half-dozen touches per game.
2. Vincent Jackson and Mike Evans , wide receivers, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Not many teams can field one big cornerback, let alone two. When trying to cover the Bucs, they will need work against both the 6-5, 230-pound Jackson and 6-5, 231-pound Evans. Jackson is a terrific mentor from which rookie Evans can learn the nuances of route running. The luckiest Buc is new quarterback Josh McCown, who goes from Brandon Marshall and Alshon Jeffery in Chicago to this giant combination.
3. Pierre Garcon and DeSean Jackson , wide receivers, Washington Redskins
Garcon already is talking up him and Jackson as the NFL's best wideout duo. Garcon is coming off a 113-catch, 1,346-yard season. Jackson had career highs of 82 and 1,332 for the Eagles. Both are fast. They complement each other with their skills in Jay Gruden’s offense. With Garcon, Jackson and second-year tight end Jordan Reed, Robert Griffin III can’t say he doesn’t have enough talented targets.
4. Dennis Pitta and Owen Daniels , tight ends, Baltimore Ravens
Pitta was a big priority to be re-signed, and not long after, they signed Daniels away from the Houston Texans. The key will be both staying healthy; they were hampered by injuries last season. Expect former Texans coach Gary Kubiak, now the Ravens' offensive coordinator, to put Daniels and Pitta in position to create mismatches. They are surehanded and should be busy targets working off Baltimore’s speedy wide receivers.
5. T.Y. Hilton and Hakeem Nicks , wide receivers, Indianapolis Colts
Hilton has been building to his third-year breakout season by delivering several big plays out of his strong chemistry with Andrew Luck. Nicks’ arrival opposite Reggie Wayne lets Hilton thrive in his best position, out of the slot. Nicks is trying to rebound from disappearing from the New York Giants last season. Don’t be surprised if Luck and Hilton serve him better than Eli Manning and Victor Cruz.
By Vinnie Iyer
You can’t have enough offensive firepower in the modern NFL. The teams that have some want more, and aggressively go after it.
This offseason, through trades, draft picks and free-agent signings, exciting new duos have formed in many places around the league. Here the five that will be the most fun to watch, starting with the league’s speediest backfield.
1. LeSean McCoy and Darren Sproles , running backs, Philadelphia Eagles
After Chip Kelly tinkered with his inherited toys in his first season as Eagles coach, he remixed his diverse attack for Year 2. McCoy, fresh off winning a league rushing title, gets a shifty backup in Sproles. The bonus is what Sproles offers Kelly and Nick Foles as a quick outlet in the passing game. The Eagles are loaded with weapons, but Sproles can still have a huge impact with a half-dozen touches per game.
2. Vincent Jackson and Mike Evans , wide receivers, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Not many teams can field one big cornerback, let alone two. When trying to cover the Bucs, they will need work against both the 6-5, 230-pound Jackson and 6-5, 231-pound Evans. Jackson is a terrific mentor from which rookie Evans can learn the nuances of route running. The luckiest Buc is new quarterback Josh McCown, who goes from Brandon Marshall and Alshon Jeffery in Chicago to this giant combination.
3. Pierre Garcon and DeSean Jackson , wide receivers, Washington Redskins
Garcon already is talking up him and Jackson as the NFL's best wideout duo. Garcon is coming off a 113-catch, 1,346-yard season. Jackson had career highs of 82 and 1,332 for the Eagles. Both are fast. They complement each other with their skills in Jay Gruden’s offense. With Garcon, Jackson and second-year tight end Jordan Reed, Robert Griffin III can’t say he doesn’t have enough talented targets.
4. Dennis Pitta and Owen Daniels , tight ends, Baltimore Ravens
Pitta was a big priority to be re-signed, and not long after, they signed Daniels away from the Houston Texans. The key will be both staying healthy; they were hampered by injuries last season. Expect former Texans coach Gary Kubiak, now the Ravens' offensive coordinator, to put Daniels and Pitta in position to create mismatches. They are surehanded and should be busy targets working off Baltimore’s speedy wide receivers.
5. T.Y. Hilton and Hakeem Nicks , wide receivers, Indianapolis Colts
Hilton has been building to his third-year breakout season by delivering several big plays out of his strong chemistry with Andrew Luck. Nicks’ arrival opposite Reggie Wayne lets Hilton thrive in his best position, out of the slot. Nicks is trying to rebound from disappearing from the New York Giants last season. Don’t be surprised if Luck and Hilton serve him better than Eli Manning and Victor Cruz.
