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Friday, June 5, 2009
Assume the worst on Westbrook

OK, folks, let’s jump the gun and assume the worst – Negadelphia style. Brian Westbrook’s surgery doesn’t go as planned, the running back isn’t ready for the season opener and LeSean McCoy and Lorenzo Booker fail to impress during training camp/preseason.

Who should the Eagles pick up off the scrapheap? Here are some of the top names being bandied about (listed in order of preference):

Edgerrin James
Last played for: Cards. 2008 stats: 514 yds. rush, 3.9 ypc., 3 TDs. Age: 30. Why: Looked fairly fresh late in season and in playoffs. Why not: Squeaky wheel. Our grade: B+.

Warrick Dunn
Last played for: Bucs. 2008 stats: 786 yds. rush, 4.2 ypc. 2 TDs; 47 rec. for 330 yds. Age: 34. Why: Has defied age. Why not: Has to break down at some point. Our grade: B.

Rudi Johnson
Last played for: Lions. 2008 stats: 237 yds. rush, 3.1 ypc., 1 TD. Age: 29. Why: At 5-10, 225, would complement the smaller Booker and McCoy. Why not: Detroit may have sapped all the life from him. Our grade: C+.

Duece McAllister
Last played for: Saints. 2008 stats: 418 yds. rush, 3.9 ypc. 5 TDs. Age: 30. Why: Imagine he and Leonard Weaver in the backfield on third and one. Why not: Has torn ACLs in both knees. Our grade: C+.

Ahman Green
Last played for: Texans. 2008 stats: 294 yds. rush, 4.0 ypc. 3 TDs. Age: 32. Why: Still has some gas left. Why not: Fumbles too much. Our grade: C-.

Michael Pittman
Last played for: Broncos. 2008 stats: 320 yds. rush, 4.2 ypc., 4 TDs. Age: 33. Why: Rushed for more than 88 yards in the two games before he suffered neck injury. Why not: More of a fullback. Our grade: C-.

J.J. Arrington
Last played for: Cards. 2008 stats: 187 yds. rush, 6.0 ypc.; 29 rec. 255 yds. Age: 26. Why: Still young. Why not: Broncos cut him last month after they learned he’ll need possible season-ending knee surgery. Our grade: F.

Jim Brown
Last played for: Browns. 1965 stats: 1,544 yds. rush, 5.3. ypc., 17 TDs. Age. 73. Why: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b6cCXNBeVfc. Why not: Why not? Our grade: Incomplete.

 

Posted by Jeff McLane @ 7:23 AM  Permalink | 69 comments
69
Comments   
Posted 07:36 AM, 06/05/2009
Dierte
Edge is the "sexy" pick here, but I don't think it's that cut and dry. I think McCoy will be ready to start, but not carry the load. I think Warrick Dunn is a pretty good pick, and you could get him dirt cheap. Deuce is risky, but would I do think he has some tread left on the tires, especially after he will have a full offseason to get back in gear. Chances are one or two of these guys will be picked up before the Eagles decide to grab one, so I bet we get left with the scrapes...
Posted 08:26 AM, 06/05/2009
travellin
We have Booker, McCoy and Weaver. How many backs do we need? Put, Jackson back there, if we need more speed.
Posted 08:27 AM, 06/05/2009
reils
Interesting list--I'd switch Dunn and James--and McAllister and Rudi Johnson. Yes, Dunn is older than Edge, but Dunn has never been a workhorse back like Edge has. In fact, even though his career has been two years longer, Dunn has 312 fewer career "touches" than does Edge. Dunn: 3,353 touches (regular season: 2,669 carries and 510 catches, playoffs: 136 and 38) Edge: 3,665 touches (regular season: 2,982 carries and 430 catches, playoffs: 218 and 35). In addition, Dunn is very shifty and elusive and doesn't take as many direct hits as James does--so I believe his overall "mileage" is a considerable amount less. So, not only Dunn is the most like Westbrook of anyone on the list--but he's probably the most effective player of the bunch. I know people want a big back, but let's just be realistic and acknowledge that's just not how Andy Reid operates.
Posted 08:30 AM, 06/05/2009
reils
Jackson is not a RB. He's not built for it at all--and why would you want to subject him to that pounding?
Posted 08:55 AM, 06/05/2009
flyerdup
The pick here is Dunn. He can catch the ball and the Eagles live and die via the pass. He is a below average blocker but you could always use a two back set.
Posted 09:03 AM, 06/05/2009
ag
Flyerdup is right. dunn is the one who would be the best fit not to mention that Andy and co tried pretty hard to get him when he first became a free agent 5 or so years ago.
Posted 09:26 AM, 06/05/2009
P Even
Talk to the Jets about Thomas Jones. He is looking for a new contract.
Posted 09:43 AM, 06/05/2009
Elbarad
Wasn't one of the downsides on Weaver was that he wasn't a pure blocking back but more of a guy who wanted touches? And they did draft a back in the 2nd round. I know it pains some people to admit it, but the front office isn't full of dummies. Still, to answer the question. Dunn would be my pick. Classy player.
Comment removed.
Comment removed.
Posted 10:06 AM, 06/05/2009
mikeyhigs
McCallister is most likely to be suspended 4 games for the StarCaps supplement he took. If so, that suspension won't start until he is on a team.
Posted 10:22 AM, 06/05/2009
FireChief
Always liked James over the years but would I pick him now? no, will give him a pass. Go with Dunn or McAllister, just remember this is short term (hopefully).
Posted 10:29 AM, 06/05/2009
The Boston Strangler
can't count on a 20-year old rookie and a guy who couldn't get on the field last year with an injured westbrook. not for a team with any hopes of a SB. edge is not what he used to be, but he doesn't have to be. 10-12 touches per game - the hard touches - short yardage, between the tackles and to block. have to assume he won't be asking for much $. he's the logical choice, no need to overthink it. he's the best out there.
Posted 10:39 AM, 06/05/2009
rwright611
I'd like to give old Jim Brown a few carries just to see if he could make it close to the line of scrimmage.
Posted 10:41 AM, 06/05/2009
flabird1954
Don't get anybody. The Eagles have been great at filling in the dots. They can survive until Westbrook gets back. They have enough guys now to drive this division crazy. Why do you guys think all these retreads will help us?
About Birds' Eye View Blog

Bob Brookover, left, is in his seventh year of covering the Philadelphia Eagles after spending 15 years covering the Philadelphia Phillies for the Inquirer and two other newspapers. The 45-year-old Brookover lives in Delran with his wife Francine and roots for Notre Dame and Michigan State, the two schools attended by his children, Justine and Ryan. When Notre Dame plays Michigan State, he cheers for the school of the child he likes more at that particular moment.

Jeff McLane, right, joined the Eagles beat in April 2009 after two years of covering colleges, namely Penn State football. Before that he covered high school sports for The Inquirer. Before that he worked in the mailroom (not quite). Informed that his father is no longer covering the Lions, McLane's eldest, three-year-old son said, "You mean Simba, Scar and Mufasa, Daddy?" His two-year-old son -- excited about the move to the Eagles -- said, "Go, Deigo, Go!" or something like that. His wife of five-plus years, however, had a different take on the new job. "Another five years is in question," she said. Check out McLane on Twitter and Facebook for instant updates on the Eagles.
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Jeff_McLaneOh, and Westbrook received some treatment on his ankle, Reid just divulged. #Eagles - 11/09/2009
 
Jeff_McLaneReidWestbrook, Abiamiri and Gocong should return to practice on Wednesday. #Eagles - 11/09/2009
 
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Jeff_McLaneMcNabb's first-quarter interception was the first he's thrown in 119 pass attempts. Of course, Maclin should have caught. #Eagles - 11/08/2009
 
Jeff_McLane#Eagles say Westbrook had a headache Friday afternoon and, even though tests were negative, decided then to sit him for tonight's game. - 11/08/2009
 
Jeff_McLaneAll three #Eagles QBs are active. - 11/08/2009
 
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