Byars Has Yet to Show His Ability

The 1988 season was supposed to be the year in which Keith Byars answered his critics and showed the form that made him a star running back at Ohio State.

With the season half over, however, all Byars has proven so far is that he can catch passes out of the backfield.

The tenth player taken overall when the Philadelphia Eagles grabbed him in the first round of the 1986 draft, Byars was bothered by foot injuries in his first two seasons in the NFL.

After missing training camps in both years, Byars ran for 577 yards in his rookie campaign and 426 in 1987, giving him 1,003 in his first two years as a pro.

Quite a comedown for a player who gained 3,200 yards on the ground in his career at Ohio State, making him the second-leading rusher in school history.

Free from injury for the first time, Byars had his first full training camp this year and was expected to power the Eagles’ running game this season.

Through the first half of the season, however, Byars has managed a mere 223 yards rushing, including only 9 in last Sunday’s 24-23 victory over the Dallas Cowboys. That’s good for third on the team, behind fullback Anthony Toney’s 288 yards and quarterback Randall Cunnigham’s 287. And he’s averaged only about nine carries per game.

For a player not used as a receiver in college, however, Byars has become quite a target for Cunningham, making 37 catches, second-best on the Eagles behind rookie tight end Keith Jackson, for 357 yards.

“I’m pleased with how things are going,” Byars said. “I know that things are going to get better and whatever they decide to do with me, I’m happy.”