Role Call: How did Ben VanSumeren land a role as a fullback?
“Well, it’s out now.”
Yes, it is.
And it is something opposing teams will have to account for when gameplanning against the Eagles’ offense in the future. The Eagles unveiled Ben VanSumeren as a fullback in Sunday’s 28-3 win over the Giants. He was in for five plays that netted 60 rushing yards. Two of those plays came late in the third quarter as the Eagles marched toward the goal line for their final touchdown of the day. On the opening play of the drive, VanSumeren made a key block in the hole on Giants linebacker Bobby Okereke that helped spring Saquon Barkley for a 41-yard run. VanSumeren raced down the field and punched the air in an emphatic celebration at the end of the play.
“I was just happy for us to crease one and get a big gain,” VanSumeren said. “We lined up again, we went pretty quick, and we creased another one for a decent gain, too. We’re just stacking, stacking plays, explosive runs. We talk about explosive plays all the time, so I’m excited when they show up.”
It wasn’t just Barkley who benefited from VanSumeren’s blocking. On the following play, VanSumeren kicked out linebacker Azeez Ojulari and Kenneth Gainwell scooted up the middle for a 14-yard gain.
Head Coach Nick Sirianni noted how VanSumeren was a prolific wide receiver in high school, breaking Michigan’s regular-season state record with 1,259 yards. He started as a fullback at Michigan before transferring to the defensive side of the ball at Michigan State.
“Speed, athletic ability, physicality, want to, we’ll see where this goes, but he shows us that on a daily basis,” Sirianni said. “On scout team and special teams, he shows us that on a daily basis. It was good to get him some reps on offense yesterday.
“He’s a great athlete, so it’s just finding different niches for people and maybe we found his.”
VanSumeren, an undrafted free agent in 2023, cited the power of belief in his ability to maximize his talent. During the offseason, VanSumeren was featured in some of the graphics highlighting players at the NovaCare Complex.
“That actually meant a lot to me. I’m in a place that believes in me, and belief goes a long way,” VanSumeren said. “I’m embracing my role and doing what’s asked of me, trying to excel at whatever it is. I’m grateful that I’m in a place that believes in me. I’ve known that for some time now. Obviously, they saw it in me offensively and have given me these opportunities to excel on offense. I’m just grateful for that and I’m just trying to make the most of all of my opportunities. I’m super willing to do whatever’s asked of me.”
Discipline, mental toughness key Tyler Steen’s approach
Second-year offensive lineman Tyler Steen battled for the starting right guard job with Mekhi Becton in Training Camp. Becton won the position, but the Eagles needed Steen in a big way Sunday against the Giants.
Becton exited the game later in the first quarter after 15 offensive snaps due to a concussion. Steen entered the game and was on the field for all four of the Eagles’ scoring drives in the 28-3 win.
“It takes a lot of mental toughness to not know when your number is going to be called, but be ready,” Sirianni said. “It speaks to Tyler and his mental toughness and his ability to prepare and prep. I admire how he played under those circumstances and he did a lot of good things to help us win that game.”
Steen played 50 snaps on offense, the most since he had to replace Becton in the win over New Orleans, where he was on the field for 54 offensive plays.
“It’s definitely difficult. I think it takes a lot of discipline to prepare each week not knowing if you’re going to play or not, so I think it definitely takes discipline. It’s part of the job,” Steen said.
“I think Stout (Run Game Coordinator/Offensive Line Coach Jeff Stoutland) does a great job of preparing us like that, making sure that when those guys who don’t start get in, there’s no drop-off. That’s kind of what we work on and just making sure we try to execute each and every play.”
Barkley ran to the tune of 176 yards against his former team, while Gainwell chipped in with 56 as the Eagles amassed 269 ground yards against the Giants.
“It was really fun. A back like Saquon is capable of doing that pretty consistently. You know if you go out there and do your job, that’s always a possibility,” Steen said. “He had a pretty good day today, so it was pretty fun to be a part of.”
Leave a Reply