Posted: Wednesday, November 12, 2008, 2:42 PM | 24 comments |
 

A COMMITTMENT PROBLEM
options
 

The problems with the Eagles' run offense have been and will continue to be dissected, but running back Brian Westbrook made the point today that his team has the same problem as a bachelor resisting marriage: a lack of committment.

"We don't always have it, no," Westbrook said. "At some points in some games we have it, at some points in other games we don't. I think that there are situations at times when we probably should have more commitment to the run."

You got the impression that Westbrook felt one of those times was Sunday when he carried 13 times for 26 yards in a 36-31 loss to the New York Giants. Westbrook, however, refused to speak specifically about the Giants' game.

"I'm not even going to look back at the New York game," Westbrook said. "We're going to look forward to the Bengals and try to move on from there."

Speaking in general terms, Westbrook said a good running game requires the same traits needed for a good marriage.

"You have to have patience and you have to have belief in it," he said. "Of course in the running game there is going to be some plays where you're not going to have too much of a gain. You might have a couple yards here and there, but then you might have plays where you  get 12, 20, 30 yards. You have to be patient, you have to believe it's going to work. You have to have that commitment to it."

For the record, the Eagles have 221 rushing attempts this season. Only Detroit (177), St. Louis (213) and San Francisco (214) have fewer among NFC teams and those three teams are a combined 4-23.
Posted by Bob Brookover @ 2:42 PM  Permalink | 24 comments
24
Comments   
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 3:40 PM, 11/12/2008
    Hahhaha, are you kidding me? I can't believe we're having this conversation!
    — davekrieg
  • Comment removed.
  • Comment removed.
  • Comment removed.
  • Comment removed.
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 4:43 PM, 11/12/2008
    dierte - are you serious? he is probably the best all purpose RB in the NFL. you cleary have no football experience. when LB/DE's are in the backfield within seconds of the snap there isnt a whole lot a RB can do. and stop with the $. who cares how much he makes? pay them all $20M, its not out of your pocket.
    — main liner
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 4:54 PM, 11/12/2008
    At what point do we stand up to "the gold standard" and stop packing that stadium for an orginization that just isnt' smart, driven, or talented enough to win a championship?
    — Eagles Phan in LI
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 6:15 PM, 11/12/2008
    NO Eagles gear for Christmas this year. I've asked Santa for a Phillies jacket. and I've been good too!
    — Grazman
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 7:41 PM, 11/12/2008
    You bozo's still watching the Eagles? What for? I told you what was gonna happen before the season started. Bet yer buying tickets for them too. You deserve what you're getting. AVERAGE
    — goofyfooterwill
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 9:57 PM, 11/12/2008
    this drum has been beat to death already. If the eagles ran duce staley more then 15 times vs Tampa in the NFc championship game, we would have won.
    — jaydlaw
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 11:50 PM, 11/12/2008
    Oh, man, when is this BS going to end? The slob doesn't commit to the run, never has, never will. Never mind that other, winning teams put on a running clinic each week. Aerial assualts are necessary, but wars are ultimately won on the ground. And football is war.
    — Bob1
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 11:50 PM, 11/12/2008
    Oh, man, when is this BS going to end? The slob doesn't commit to the run, never has, never will. Never mind that other, winning teams put on a running clinic each week. Aerial assualts are necessary, but wars are ultimately won on the ground. And football is war.
    — Bob1
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 11:59 PM, 11/12/2008
    It's nice to see a player speak out against the org though. How come you never hear from those guys on defense? It has to make them sick the constant 3 and outs, the fact that they're always right back on the field and because of that, they break down late in the game b/c they're exhausted. You think someone from the D would fall on the sword and talk smack in the press ala TOwens. The whole team has no guts. It's like they're afraid of Reid. Hell, I'd say my peace and just let them bench me. I rather watch one of these debacles from the bench then play in it anyway. I could sit there with a big smile on my face like McNabb always has, win or lose.
    — Tim R
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 6:08 AM, 11/13/2008
    8 and 8
    — overtaxed
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 7:45 AM, 11/13/2008
    Compared to the offense, the defense should demand to be paid by the hour
    — JamesJ


24 comments | View All Comments | View All By Latest
View comments: 1  |  2
About Jeff McLane and Jonathan Tamari






Jeff McLane (left) began covering the Eagles in April 2009 after covering college sports and Penn State football in particular. Before that he wrote about high school sports and before that he worked in the mailroom (not quite). Find Jeff on Facebook and follow him on Twitter for instant updates on the Eagles.

Jonathan Tamari (right) began covering the Eagles in April 2010. He previously covered New Jersey state government and politics, reporting and writing about elections, policy debates and the many personalities that drive the Garden State, from three recent governors to the many musicians bidding to write the state song. He has been at the Inquirer since June 2008. Follow him on Twitter at @JonathanTamari.

Download our NEW iPhone app for even more Birds coverage, including app-exclusive videos and analysis. Get it here.

Advertise Here
Latest Eagles Videos