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Eagles’ Westbrook may be the best in the biz
Philadelphia Eagles running back Brian Westbrook is making a strong case for best back the game has to offer. Westbrook, who missed two of the team’s last three games with broken ribs, got loose on the Atlanta Falcons defense on Sunday.
Head Coach Andy Reid marveled over the talented runner during his post-game press conference.
“He’s a great football player,” Reid said. “Great football players step up when their team needs them, and Brian did that today.”
No diggity!
Westbrook went off rushing for 167 yards on 22 carries and two touchdowns. He had an additional 42 yards receiving in a 27-14 Eagles’ victory over Atlanta.
Westbrook showed no ill effect of the rib injury in his return to the lineup and wanted the ball in his hands during crunch time. The coaching staff obliged.
“I think he felt pretty good,” Coach Reid said. “I thought he got a little bit tired towards the end. We spotted him with [Correll] Buckhalter, but there was a point there on the last series where he didn’t want to come out. He wanted to stay in, he wanted the football, and we gave it to him.”
Although Westbrook showed no signs of the rib or bum ankle injury which caused him to miss two games this season he felt them.
“From time to time throughout the game, but those are the type of things you got to try to play through,” Westbrook said.”
“I felt good. I had the opportunity, coach gave me some opportunities. We saw some things on tape that we felt we could take advantage of and we did a good job executing those things.”
Bottom line, the Eagles offense will only go as far as Westbrook takes them as acknowledged by rookie wide receiver DeSean Jackson.
“Like I told him on the field, ‘you’re cold’,” Jackson said. “He’s a good running back. I really admire that dude. He’s an awesome running back. Any time you have a RB like that in your back field it just makes it easier for [the receivers]. With him and [RB Correll] Buckhalter, it just made us feel comfortable. If it wasn’t for him breaking that long run, we might not be in this position. Whatever we need to do to get it done that is what we are doing. I am glad he’s back.”
I think teammate cornerback Asante Samuel summed up the play of Westbrook best.
“That guy is incredible,” Samuel said. “I just love to watch him play, the way he makes people miss and shake them. I am happy he’s on my team. I am happy I don’t have to tackle him.”
So I ask you… Is Westbrook tops in the league at his position? I vote with an emphatic YES!
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Comments
By Otis
October 27, 2008 1:48 PM | Link to this
Yeah, but the Falcolns tackle like fairies. He has yet to face the giants. He’s prone to get more banged up in that hard hitting NFC East. Beware.By Ian
October 27, 2008 1:59 PM | Link to this
Only Ladanian Tomlinson matches Westbrook in his value to the team. With a healthy Westbrook the Eagles win. Without they lose. Only LT has the same affect on his team.By Joe
October 27, 2008 2:39 PM | Link to this
As Big C would say Contraire mon fraires. Ian, the Chargers are the same with or without LT. They didn’t miss a beat with Turner in years past. In fact I can remember a game against the, at the time, 13-0 Colts when LT was benched in favor of Turner in the 4th quarter and they won. In fact Turner broke a long one to put it away. In the one game LT missed this year Sproles had 135yds & 2 TDs. And to my main man Otis. In his last 7 NFC East games here are Westbrooks numbers. 549 (78avg) rushing. 436 (62avg) receiving 9 TDsBy Otis
October 27, 2008 3:08 PM | Link to this
WoW! I don’t think there will be many more high scoring games like that fiasco with Dallas. The D’s going to go up.By Spanky
October 27, 2008 4:26 PM | Link to this
When comparing Brian Westbrook and LaDainian Tomlinson we must ask ourselves who has the better offensive line. We all know that it all starts with the fat boys up front. Its really tough to judge between the two this season especially with Tomlinson ailing from a lingering turf toe injury. Granted when both are healthy, they are dangerous running back both on the ground and through the air. Westbrook has two 1,000-yard seasons in 7-years, while Tomlinson has rushed for a 1,000 yards or more in each season played. Tomlinson is in his eighth year in the league.