Brian Westbrook Debate

[joseephuss]

He really is a key to the Eagles offense. They turned to him when McNabb was injured this past season and it worked. It is why they went on a winning streak. Most critics of Andy Reid mention that he does not use Westbrook enough when McNabb is healthy. I agree.

 

[ThreeSportStar80]

Who cares, Westbrook is a nightmare, similar to facing a guy like LT, he can hurt you soo many ways!

 

[Sarge]

He's good. He's dangerous. What the hell difference does it make how much he ways. He can break any play for a big one - - by running OR catching.

 

[BouncingCheese]

Look what happened to the Eagles when Brian Westbrook was injured during the Panthers vs. Eagles NFC championship game. Sure the Eagles had no recievers but that team stood a good chance against that team (or would have) had westbrook been in the backfield and in the slot.

Mcnabb isn't the key to this team Westrbook is; Jeff Garcia is a REAL (unlikw Mcnabb) WC qb and look how the team fared.

Oh and Westbrook is the real deal. I hate those dirty birds but he is fun to watch. He can't even run a 4.50 flat yet he is so hard to bring down with all those cutbacks. (watch how many times he cutsback and jukes before he even gets to the line, it's funny.)

He has had the capability to carry the load all this time, but nobody ever knew, especially because he is so unjury-prone. But lets not kid ourselves and think this guy wouldn't command buku-bucks if he hit the market tommorow. There aren't many guys in this league who can catch and run as well as he can.

 

[Timbo2st]

He can't even run a 4.50 flat yet he is so hard to bring down with all those cutbacks. (watch how many times he cutsback and jukes before he even gets to the line, it's funny.)

http://youtube.com/watch?v=2xEs7wBPB9w

 

[speedkilz88]

Kiper's combine numbers on Westbrook:

5-8 1/4 202 4.53 26 reps 37"vj

 

[ThreeSportStar80]

What he lacks in 40 times he more than makes up with quickness and cuts! In the NFL 40 times are really overrated because bottom line if you're in the 4's you're pretty fast..

 

[peplaw06]

Amen to that.
I say that because I do see him as a great player.
If he really was 5-10 205 or even 210, he'd be L. Tomlinson.

He's good, but he's more than a couple of biscuits away from being LT.

 

[theogt]

Official NFL Combine height: 5' 8-3/8"

 

[Kilyin]

Left knee could be a medical concern (no anterior cruciate ligament)

Uh, what the hell.. how can he even walk - much less run with no left ACL?! I didn't think that was physically possible? I'm guessing he must have an artificial ACL.. or one from a cadaver?

 

[lspain1]

Hmmmmm....Westbrook....Oh yeah, you're talkin' bout the best all round running back in the NFC East. Don't we all wish he was in a Cowboys uniform.

Westbrook compensates (a LOT) for any limitations in the Eagle receiving corps. He is a difference maker.

 

[Phoenix-Talon]

B. Westbrook ...The debate is how big is Westbrook. I specifically remember his rookie profile. 5-77/8 and about 175 lbs.


However, the Eagles list him at 5-10 205 lbs.

Here's what I could pull up on B-West ..the other demographics you
queried about are also listed ...

# 36 Brian Westbrook

Position: RB
Height: 5-8
Weight: 203
Born: 09/02/1979
College: Villanova
NFL Experience: 6

These obviously aren't the demensions of a workhorse back.

Try these dimensions ...

Originally joined NFL: Same as above

Position: RB
Height: 6-1
Weight: 233
College: Penn State
Experience: R
Birthdate: 11/24/85
Hometown: Alexandria, VA






That's more like what an Eagles workhorse looks like.

Phoenix-Talon

 

[Billy Bullocks]

Well I'm glad this board isn't full of blind homerism, 3 pages, and everyone recognizes how good Westbrook is.

I honestly think he's got to be one of the most underrated players in the league right now.

And with his receptions he's gettin over 20 touches per game (he didn't play all 16 last year). That's not bad for a lead guy.

 

[QT]

He's 5'8. They did a interview/special on him and he stated he was 5'8".

 

[InmanRoshi]

Westbrook is one of the Top 10 backs in the NFL, and I think Tony Hunt is going to be a great compliment. Hunt is a great receiver out of the backfield for a guy his size. You can't automatically assume the Eagles are going to run the ball just because the "big back" is in.

 

[dwmyers]

B. Westbrook at most can touch the ball 320 a year. Certainly not 400 times a year as most franchise backs do.

I can't speak entirely for touches, but 400 carries by most any back has a markedly adverse effect on the skills of the running back - unless your name is Eric Dickerson.

Nobody in their right minds runs a back that often anymore. There is a series of articles on football outsiders talking about this.

David.

 

[Kilyin]

Jeff Ireland can't head a Girl Scout team, not alone a professional football team.

Marcus Spears - BUST
Kevin Burnett - Doing nothing
Chris Canty - Steal of what draft?
Bobby Carpenter - Might be a BUST
Pat Watkins - Steal of what draft?

Remember the Bills. Don't get hopes high on Cleveland's pick next year. A few years ago, the Bills tanked the first half of the season; Cowboy fans got happy; then the Bills went on and played well. End result: Marcus Spears

Well aren't you a breath of fresh air.

BTW, the phrase is "let alone a professional football team". If you wanna be a negative nancy, do it right.

 

[tunahelper]

Westbrook is not a Franchise back because his lack of size makes him injury prone.

 

[Phoenix-Talon]

Westbrook is not a Franchise back because his lack of size makes him injury prone.

I can hear you saying injury proneness due to prior injuries; however, I'm not buying that concept as it relates to his height and weight. Not because I'm an Eagle fan, not because you're a Cowboy's fan - simply because his demographics has nothing to do with being "injury-prone."

You can get injuured anywhere on the gridiron, from the smallest player on up to the 300+ massive defensive linemen. Height is one thing, but Brian Westbrook has muscle mass, probably with a high percentage rate. Look at the following backs, then rethink what You're saying ...

Brian Westbrook - Running Back >>>5-8, 203

Emmit Smith - Running Back >>>5-9, 201

Barry Sander - Running Back >>> 5-8, 203

Tony Dorsett - Running Back >>>5-10, 192

I'm not buying into that negativity. Again, this has nothing to do with ...

 

[BrAinPaiNt]

The guy is a weapon plain and simple and to be blunt anyone saying otherwise is doing so because they don't like the eagles.

He is NOT a complete running back. He is RB that is dangerous out of the backfield and a perfect fit for that offense.

To be honest even if it were not the WCO I would imagine pretty much any team could find a way to use him out of the backfield and he would do well with that team.

He does have injury problems and that is a concern however I doubt you would find too many teams in the NFL that would say they would not consider having him on their team.

He would be the type of player that is perfect for a two RB system. I could only imagine what he could do for the cowboys if he replaced Julius. Imagine T.O., Terry Glenn, Crayton, Witten, Barber AND Westbrook on offense. Romo would be in fantasy land thinking of westbrook and what extra he could bring to the passing game.