Westbrook: 'I'm fresh and ready to go"

POSTED: Wednesday, September 9, 2009, 12:29 PM

Les Bowen, Daily News Staff Writer

Brian Westbrook missed most of training camp and then did not play in the preseason, but he said he is "fresh and ready to go" when he was asked about Sunday's season opener at Carolina.

The eighth-year running back, who turned 30 a week ago, said he he wanted to prove to himself and coach Andy Reid that "you don't have to go through a hard training camp" to be effective in Week 1.

Westbrook said he has a lot of faith in the Birds' rebuilt offensive line, even though it didn't play together in the preseason, Nick Cole is starting for Todd Herremans (foot), and Shawn Andrews (back), like Westbrook, hasn't played in a game yet.

"Those guys, they're animals," said Westbrook. "They really get after it. I'm excited to run up behind those guys. They want to run the ball -- they protect well, but they definitely want to get after it in the running game, so hopefully, coach Reid'll give us the opportunity."

You betcha, Brian. That's happening, for sure, with seven wide receivers on Reid's roster. We all know how much Andy loves to run the ball.

In other news from today's press conferences:

* Reid said linebacker Joe Mays (shoulder sprain) won't play, which makes strongside linebacker Chris Gocong the backup in the middle should Omar Gaither get hurt. Gaither has been battling through an ankle injury but Reid did not seem terribly concerned by that. Gocong said he'll get some work in the middle at practice today, for the first time since high school. Mays said he fell on the shoulder wrong in the preseason finale against the Jets, but doesn't think he'll be sidelined long.

* Reid hinted left guard Todd Herremans might miss more than the first two weeks. Herremans had surgery for a stress fracture. Nick Cole and Max Jean-Gilles will share time at that spot, with Cole starting.

* Reid said Michael Vick will travel with the team and remain on the exempt list. Vick will not be eligible to play until Week 3 against Kansas City but is able to work out on the side, while not practicing with the team.

Quarterback Donovan McNabb said he thought Vick should have been reinstated from week 1 because "he's served his time."

* As he did on his radio show last night, Reid confirmed that rookie Macho Harris will start at free safety.

Comments (34)

Comment removed.

0 like this / 0 don't • Posted 12:49 PM, 09/09/2009

Westbrook's statement is a little less controversial way of Iverson saying "Practice????? We talkin' practice!"

— mish798798

0 like this / 0 don't • Posted 12:53 PM, 09/09/2009

5isthealltimebestQB are you a moron? Westbrook have proven himself to be the most valuable player on the offense year after year. I like what I see from McCoy but unless BWest goes down with an injury he will remain the starting RB all season long.

— K_Ball

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Comment removed.

0 like this / 0 don't • Posted 1:08 PM, 09/09/2009

We just need that OFFENSIVE LINE to do their job and you will see that "B-WEST" is back!! FLY EAGLES FLY!!!!!!!!!!!!

— hmitch

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0 like this / 0 don't • Posted 1:21 PM, 09/09/2009

Will be the in the top 3 running back duo in the league this year. Reid will run the ball more, well if you count HB screens as a running play.

— bobf123

0 like this / 0 don't • Posted 1:30 PM, 09/09/2009

does he ever feel... ya know... not so fresh?

— oTTo the CzAR

0 like this / 0 don't • Posted 1:36 PM, 09/09/2009

Comparing Westbrook and Iverson is about the dumbest thing i've read on these comments sections in a while. Wesbrook was hurt, recovering from two surgeries, while Iverson (who I love, don't get me wrong) was packing it in. Westbrook wanted to be out there, it was Mr. Piggy holding him back. Iverson would have preferred to watch. Idiot.

— Bleue

0 like this / 0 don't • Posted 1:48 PM, 09/09/2009

The only thing Westbrook needs to prove, is that he can stay healthy. Other than that he is still the man.

— The Truth Hurts

0 like this / 0 don't • Posted 2:06 PM, 09/09/2009

they better score 50 points cause carolina is going to run all over them and their undersized linebackers and new rookie safety. i don't like a rookie back their - he will be exposed, mark my word.

— sore richard

0 like this / 0 don't • Posted 2:17 PM, 09/09/2009

"We all know how much Andy loves to run the ball." These journalists never cease to amaze with their ignorance. We all know how good Tra and Runyan were in run-blocking the last couple years (lol). No, seriously, we all know how good of a run-blocker Jason Peters is. And we all know how good of a run blocker Stacy Andrews is (the best of course being Shawn). So only an idiot would think Reid will not run more this year. I almost forgot - they actually have a fullback. Look for the Eagles to use their passing game to get on the scoreboard early, and then mash the ball-control game mid-way through the 3rd quarter. They will run the ball about 45-50% of the time. That is, if Westbrook stays healthy.

— montgomeryhopkins