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Where in the World is Ryan Moats?

Monday, October 17, 2005

PHILADELPHIA (AP) Oct. 17, 2005 -- Ryan Moats would've bought season tickets if he'd known his rookie season would go this way. A third-round pick in last April's NFL draft, Moats figured to play a role in the Philadelphia Eagles' offense this season. Instead, the speedy running back hasn't even dressed yet, being deactivated for the first five games.

"I'm trying to soak in as much information as I can and trying not to get too down," Moats said. "Hopefully I'll get my chance to swing the bat."

Eagles offensive coordinator Brad Childress said Moats is merely caught in a numbers game. Brian Westbrook and Lamar Gordon are Philly's top two running backs, and third-year pro Reno Mahe gets the nod over Moats because of his experience on special teams. The Eagles only carry one fullback, Josh Parry, and he was deactivated against Dallas on Sunday, too.

"It really is driven by the fact that other guys are doing a bit more special-teams wise," Childress said. "Sometimes you need to keep an offensive lineman because you got a guy who is banged up and might have a chance to drop. You might need to keep another wide receiver up.

"We don't have a specific time targeted. He is taking reps out there and is in all the game plan meetings. That opportunity will knock at some time and he needs to be ready when it does."

Moats ran for 1,774 yards and 18 touchdowns and averaged 6.2 yards per carry last season at Louisiana Tech, when he was the Western Athletic Conference player of the year. He finished with 3,176 yards rushing and 28 TDs in three seasons, and had 15 100-yard rushing games in his final two years, including seven 200-yard performances.

Moats was the eighth running back drafted when the Eagles selected him with the 77th overall pick. His size - Moats is listed at 5-foot-8 and 210 pounds - may have been a reason he was overlooked by some teams.

However, Moats has a strong build. He has broad shoulders, thick thighs and enough leg strength to break tackles. He points to Westbrook - generously listed at 5-10, 205 - as an example of a smaller back who has been successful.

"Some of the best running backs in the NFL are around my size," said Moats, who grew up emulating former Detroit star Barry Sanders, another smaller back who is 5-8 and played at 200 pounds.

Moats' biggest adjustment has been learning Philadelphia's version of the West Coast offense. It's a complex scheme that usually takes a while for rookies to grasp.

"It's different. You have to be a running back, a receiver and a pass protector," Moats said.

Westbrook didn't play much his first season in 2002, though he was used as a punt/kick returner. Moats is eager to do whatever he can to get on the field, even if it's covering or returning kicks and punts.

"I played on special teams in preseason and have no problem playing special teams," he said.

Childress is pleased with Moats' progress.

"I think there is a menu of things he does very well and I think there are things that he is coming along at," Childress said. "Really, it's an evolution with those guys. Brian Westbrook we had a small package for when he was a rookie. So, it's moving along and he is doing all right."

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