Hailed as the "big back" fans had been craving, former Penn State star Tony Hunt provided the Eagles with some power and versatility at the running back position.

But with the amazing year turned in by Brian Westbrook and Correll Buckhlater productive as the top backup, Hunt's opportunities were limited.

The 6-foot-1, 233-pound Hunt spent much of his season running the scout team offense, but did suit up for eight games. That game experience yielded 10 carries, 16 yards and one touchdown. His one-yard touchdown run, in the win over Detroit, came on just his third career carry.

With Buckhalter sidelined for the Dallas game on Dec. 16, Hunt struggled on one of the two snaps he had, missing a blitz pickup that resulted in a Dallas sack of quarterback Donovan McNabb.

Like all rookies, the third-round draft pick spent the year learning the system and all that comes with being a running back at this level, including blitz pickup and catching the ball out of the backfield. These are just a few things Hunt must learn and improve on if he hopes to make an impact in the future.

Hunt became the first Penn State player to be drafted by the Eagles since tight end Tony Stewart was picked in the fifth round in 2001. He finished his Penn State career second all-time in career rushing yards with 3,320 yards and first all-time with 654 carries (5.08 avg.).

Still, thanks to his workmanlike style and perceived lack of speed, Hunt wasn't drafted until the Eagles snapped him up in the third round with the 90th overall pick in the draft, after lesser accomplished backs like Chris Henry, Brian Leonard and Lorenzo Booker were already off the board.

In the preseason Hunt averaged 3.1 yards on 30 carries.

With Westbrook and Buckhalter ahead of him on the depth chart, Hunt knows he needs to attack the offseason conditioning program and really work on becoming a more complete player. He wants to be more than a "short-yardage back."

- BOB KENT

NOTE: PhiladelphiaEagles.com will not profile players scheduled to become unrestricted free agents.

Ten carries, 16 yards and one touchdown. The fans who were so jacked after the Eagles selected Hunt in the third round of last year's draft are now wondering how effective Hunt can be. It's a legitimate concern, because Hunt just didn't play enough to get a good feel for as a rookie.

Hunt has to demonstrate that he is more than a "short-yardage back." It is a terrible, unfair label, because to play at this level a running back has to do everything well. Hunt didn't have a lot of success blocking last year, so that will have to improve. He needs more burst, more of an understanding of the speed of the game and he is going to have to show he can block and be a receiver when needed.

So it is a huge offseason for Hunt. Is he going to be one of those players to make the quantum leap from year one to year two? He needs to have that kind of impact spring and summer ahead.