Moats (espn.com)

this may have already been linked or posted but this was in the latest NFC roundup on espn.com.

http://sportsmed.starwave.com/i/team.../trans/phi.gifPhiladelphia Eagles: Third-year running back Ryan Moats, battling to survive the competition on a deep Eagles depth chart, suffered a broken left ankle in Monday night's preseason loss to the Ravens and will likely miss the entire 2007 season.
Plagued by fumbles and inconsistency in training camp, the once highly-regarded Moats was already facing an uphill battle simply to retain his roster spot. He was probably the No. 4 back on the club, behind starter Brian Westbrook, top reserve Correll Buckhalter and rookie Tony Hunt, a third-round choice in this year's draft.
Moats, 24, was injured in the third quarter on a run on which he lost 3 yards. He left the game with two rushes for two yards, one reception for no yards and a 20-yard kickoff return.
Selected in the third round of the 2005 draft and seen as a potential backup to Westbrook, the former Louisiana Tech standout had a productive rookie year in limited playing time. The Eagles chose him in part because he had a similar body type and skills set to Westbrook.
In his 2005 debut season, Moats rushed for 278 yards and three touchdowns on only 55 carries, playing in seven games and starting one. He rushed for 114 yards and two scores against the Giants. Moats flashed enough big-play potential, with scoring runs of 18, 40 and 59 yards, that a few franchises, including the Broncos, inquired about him in trade discussions. But in 2006, Moats appeared in only eight games and got just 22 carries for 69 yards.
This summer in camp, Moats' problems holding onto the ball, coupled with the arrival of Hunt, a former Penn State star, put his job in jeopardy. He is likely now to be placed on injured reserve for the year.
For his career, Moats has 77 rushes for 347 yards and three touchdowns and four receptions for seven yards. He averaged 17.3 yards on four kickoff returns. Moats has appeared in 15 games, with one start.

tough break for the moat monster....

I don't know what he did to get in the doghouse, but he sure couldn't get out of it. Oh well, tomorrow's another day.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by boxerdog

I don't know what he did to get in the doghouse, but he sure couldn't get out of it. Oh well, tomorrow's another day.

---

He really didnt do anything to get put in the dog house, but the eagles' running back position is very deep. They have several running back that cover several different running styles and he just couldnt ever get the opportunity to stand out. This was posted a few days ago and i commented that if he could ever get to a team that doeant have a stellar running game, he will have an opportunity to show them what he can do. We all have seen what Ryan can do when he gets the starting role! I wish Ryan the best in his future!

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by ITdrummer

He really didnt do anything to get put in the dog house, but the eagles' running back position is very deep. They have several running back that cover several different running styles and he just couldnt ever get the opportunity to stand out. This was posted a few days ago and i commented that if he could ever get to a team that doeant have a stellar running game, he will have an opportunity to show them what he can do. We all have seen what Ryan can do when he gets the starting role! I wish Ryan the best in his future!

---

Not true. He was originally in the doghouse because he was having difficulty early on learning the play book. Buy the time he had it down, Westbrook and Buckhalter were healthy and were a more complimentary duo than Westbook and Moats, who are frankly a lot alike.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by randerizer

Not true. He was originally in the doghouse because he was having difficulty early on learning the play book. Buy the time he had it down, Westbrook and Buckhalter were healthy and were a more complimentary duo than Westbook and Moats, who are frankly a lot alike.

---

The first part of your post is true, he did have a very hard time learning the playbook, and I also read that he had a fumbling problem in their mini camps.

The 2nd part is what I am not so sure about. Now I do agree that the coaches and most non-Tech fans think they are very similar. But I think Ryan is much stronger, and much better at running the ball than Westbrook. I think Westbrook has much better hands and is a much better receiver out of the backfield than Ryan is.

If they would give Ryan extended playing time I think they would discover how different they are but for now because they are both short, shifty, fast, I think the coaches and many fans will keep assuming that Ryan is a poor mans Westbrook.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by randerizer

......Westbook and Moats, who are frankly a lot alike..

---

....Kinda what i was trying to say. He needs to go to a team where his running style is unique and that team could use him better to fit whatever scheme they are trying to run.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Bigdog13

The first part of your post is true, he did have a very hard time learning the playbook, and I also read that he had a fumbling problem in their mini camps.

The 2nd part is what I am not so sure about. Now I do agree that the coaches and most non-Tech fans think they are very similar. But I think Ryan is much stronger, and much better at running the ball than Westbrook. I think Westbrook has much better hands and is a much better receiver out of the backfield than Ryan is.

If they would give Ryan extended playing time I think they would discover how different they are but for now because they are both short, shifty, fast, I think the coaches and many fans will keep assuming that Ryan is a poor mans Westbrook.

---

OK, to rephrase: I think they are not the same runner, but their skills are similar enough that playing both of them doesn't make it more difficult for defenses in the way that Westy/Buckhalter do.

I see the Giants being the best fit for him, being that Tiki retired (obviously) and Jacobs is a north-south guy.

What about Reuben Droughans?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Chris29

I see the Giants being the best fit for him, being that Tiki retired (obviously) and Jacobs is a north-south guy.

---

Moats would look good in a giants uniform!

I want Moats to move to Houston.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Buck Magnum

What about Reuben Droughans?

---

ESPN discussed NYG's RB situation the other night and didn't mention Droughns, only stated that Jacobs would get Tiki's carries and they felt he is ready to be the primary back. I, on the other hand, don't agree. I expect to see Droughns get more carries than Jacobs, except near the goal line. Either way, Moats would still be a nice fit in NY.

He needs to get healthy and find some place where he can get ON THE FIELD. Moats is a running back...he's not a punt returner or a special teams guy, he's a pure RB. If he has to go to Canada to get noticed, I think that's what he needs to do. What sucks is, he'll be cut to save the Eagles money. If I remember, he had a decent signing bonus. He needs to do whatever he has to do to get healthy. If he's done, he needs to come back to Ruston and be a GA or something.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by johnnylightnin

He needs to do whatever he has to do to get healthy. If he's done, he needs to come back to Ruston and be a GA or something.

---

If you remember, he has set himself up for a decent career after football in gaming and such. I imagine a person with some design skills and NFL experience would be marketable to EA, etc.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by randerizer

If you remember, he has set himself up for a decent career after football in gaming and such. I imagine a person with some design skills and NFL experience would be marketable to EA, etc.

---

Yeah...I guess I'm just selfish. I want all our guys to come back. My coaching staff would be HUGE...:laugh:

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by johnnylightnin

Yeah...I guess I'm just selfish. I want all our guys to come back. My coaching staff would be HUGE...:laugh:

---

Maybe at least he could make sure that the Joe was correctly represented on NCAA football games? :)

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by randerizer

Maybe at least he could make sure that the Joe was correctly represented on NCAA football games? :)

---

It should be called "The Joe" as the nickname.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by randerizer

I want Moats to move to Houston.

---

That would be a pretty good fit. I just hope he is 100% when he comes back.

moats has a lot of off-field interests -- graphic design, the internship with ea sports, the cleats he's working on, he loves doing music. even if his career is over, and i sure hope it's not, he'll just move on to a different phase in life and be very successful.

Man, I hate to say it, but I was so very right about the fumbling. Without the injury, he probably had about a 60% chance of sticking this season, and about a 5% chance of actually getting any serious PT.

Like theprofessor says, he will be just fine without football. I just hope it hasnt come to that. With his talent, its still up to him...

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by altadawg

Man, I hate to say it, but I was so very right about the fumbling. Without the injury, he probably had about a 60% chance of sticking this season, and about a 5% chance of actually getting any serious PT.

Like theprofessor says, he will be just fine without football. I just hope it hasnt come to that. With his talent, its still up to him...

---

You were right on in your criticism. Moats' fumbling tendencies minimizes his positives.