Posted: Wednesday, July 22, 2009, 3:17 PM | 43 comments |
 

Not in the market for a running back
options
 

With Brian Westbrook recovering from ankle surgery and a lot of inexperience behind the star running back, there are some who believe the Eagles should sign one of those veteran running backs still standing in the unemployment line.

The Eagles do not share that point of view.

"We're a little inexperienced, but at this point at running back we think we have some real quality people there," Eagles president Joe Banner said today. "We expect that we're going to go into camp and the guys we have are going to put us in a good position to be successful. Running back is one of those positions where younger players can step in and have success."

If for some reason the Eagles aren't as comfortable at the running back position by the end of training camp, Warrick Dunn and Edgerrin James are among the veteran backs still available.

The majority of work at running back during training camp will go to the trio of Lorenzo Booker, LeSean McCoy and Kyle Eckel. Banner said the Eagles also view fullback Leonard Weaver as a contributer at running back.

Another reason the Eagles aren't in a hurry to add another running back is because they believe Westbrook will be ready for the Sept. 13 season opener at Carolina.

"We're very optimistic about Westbrook," Banner said. "He's doing great. He's ahead of schedule, but we're still going to be very conservative with him."

 
Posted by Bob Brookover @ 3:17 PM  Permalink | 43 comments
43
Comments   
  • Comment removed.
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 4:07 PM, 07/22/2009
    No worries at this point. Wait until training camp.
    — Panthro22
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 4:32 PM, 07/22/2009
    This will come back to haunt them. I think the team is in great shape but we are too thin at RB. Why take a chance? Get Dunn and feel better about Westy taking more time to heal and allow the rookie to ease into the position. I don't get this non-move.
    — ynot716
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 4:55 PM, 07/22/2009
    I agree. Dunn is a no-brainer for one year, low cost move. And he fits our system perfectly. No idea why they wouldn't do that.
    — jmk1512
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 5:12 PM, 07/22/2009
    LET KOLB TAKE ALL PREASEASON SNAPS AND LET HIM GET ROCKED
    — nizzies
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 5:13 PM, 07/22/2009
    It's being cheap, not bringing in Dunn, and I'm not one who thinks the Eagles are usually cheap. If he doesn't work out, waive him and lose a few dollars.
    — tacklinjoe
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 5:37 PM, 07/22/2009
    Do whatever it takes to get rid of Lorenzo Booker.
    — HandNik
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 5:54 PM, 07/22/2009
    They don't run the ball anyway.
    — Romes
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 5:59 PM, 07/22/2009
    Dunn couldn't cost much more than the paycheck Booker is stealing from the Iggles; get him and cut Booker tomorrow.
    — tornadoh
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 6:26 PM, 07/22/2009
    dont play any starters until we are 0-8. too risky that n e 1 gets hurt. get mike vick.
    — daveH
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 7:00 PM, 07/22/2009
    you all on here think you know more than the front office of a team that has had 1 losing season in 10 years NOW DO YOU KNOW HOW THEY DID THAT BY NOT LISTENING TO YOU MORONS THAT DIG DITCHES AND DON'T RUN FOOTBALL TEAMS
    — hatchet
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 7:05 PM, 07/22/2009
    What about the Mendenhall kid?
    — dpell
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 7:34 PM, 07/22/2009
    dierte are you nuts? Westbrook need to get in football shape.He needs training camp as much as anyone, its pre season he doesn't need. The last thing we need is some rookie trying to impress a coach with a big hit on Brian.They should look at another R.B. if Brian goes down no one proven can step in.
    — boltfan
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 7:52 PM, 07/22/2009
    Thank you, ax-man....
    — M60tanker
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 8:06 PM, 07/22/2009
    wouldnt mind seein g EJames dressed in Eages green he has some age but has experience...there was a time he played next to Payton..
    — Eagles4SB


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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.

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