Optimist/pessimist: Eagles RBs
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Optimist/pessimist: Eagles RBs
Sheil Kapadia, Philly.com
During the season, when we do our 10 observations after every game, we also include the optimist/pessimist feature.
If you're an MTC newbie, I attempt to analyze the Birds from the "glass half full" and "glass half empty" perspectives.
Obviously, the rational fan (are there any of you out there?) generally falls somewhere in between the two extremes, but the exercise provides a sort of window into the state of the team.
So I thought we'd bring back the feature, but in a different way, as we approach the start of training camp in Lehigh. Over the next couple weeks, I'll take a stab at the optimistic and pessimistic view for various areas of the Eagles' team.
It will serve as a sort of unconventional way to preview camp.
I'll include a poll with each post to gauge your confidence in the position. The scale goes from 1 to 5. A '1' indicates you are petrified. A '5' indicates you couldn't be more confident.
We will start with the running backs and go from there.
Down at the bottom, I'll include some links, including an all-important follow-up to yesterday's mango discussion.
The optimist says...
Believe me when I say this is the position that will most benefit from the offseason moves. Let's start with Brian Westbrook. While the novice Eagles fan expresses concern about him missing training camp, those of us who are paying attention realize it's the best thing that could have happened to B-West. I hardly think he needs to run through two-a-days in the Bethlehem heat. Let him rest up, recover and get ready for the opener at Carolina. You think he doesn't see or hear everyone doubting him and saying he's done? Westbrook's been dealing with this his whole life. The guy wasn't even projected to be an "efficient" starter in the league, and he's turned in one of the best careers for a running back in franchise history. Behind him you have an absolute talent in LeSean McCoy, who the Eagles stole in the second round. Shady will be able to spell Westbrook all season and make sure he's fresh in November, December and most importantly, the postseason. McCoy can only benefit from practicing with the first team and will provide the perfect complement to Westbrook. And let's not forget Leonard Weaver, or as he refers to himself, "Weave." Finally! A fullback! Short-yardage problems? Good-bye. The front office addressed the offense's biggest weaknesses with one of the best lead blockers in the game. This group will surprise and give the Birds balance and the ability to kill clock in the fourth quarter.
The pessimist says...
Why are we even covering this position? Since when do running backs even matter in Andy Reid's offense? Here are some numbers for you: 4.0, that's Westbrook's average yards per carry last season, tied for the worst of his career. 54 catches for 402 yards. His 2008 receiving stats, and the worst numbers he's posted since 2003. The guy turns 30 in September. Is that when a running back peaks? I don't think so. Westbrook's best days are behind him. It's time to move on. And if you're expecting a rookie to fill the void, keep dreaming. Wait until McCoy fails to pick up a blitz in Week 1 and gets Donovan McNabb killed. He won't see the field again the rest of the season. The Eagles really have a great track record here with Ryan Moats and Tony Hunt. Two years ago, it was no punt returner. Last year, it was no fullback. And this year, it's no insurance at running back. Are you really prepared to count on Lorenzo Booker when Westbrook goes down with an injury and McCoy can't learn the offense? I don't think there's much else to say in terms of this team's dire running back situation.
***
The links:
** Via Twitter, the Eagles are Trent Dilfer's pick to win the Super Bowl.
** The Eagles are up with their training camp practice schedule on the team's Web site.
** Last week we wrote about Andrew Brandt's spending philosophy. This week, he explains the process involved with negotiating rookie contracts. Brandt, a consultant for the Eagles and founder of National Football Post, talks about using escalators, or incentives, as a tool to structure rookie contracts:
Negotiations are all about two things: leverage and risk. The escalator is way to allocate risk in a player contract negotiation, incentivizing the player’s upside while protecting the team’s downside with a fourth year of the contract buying out the vagaries of restricted free agency.
** And lastly, but probably most importantly, I enjoyed the feedback about my statement that the mango is the most underrated fruit. My condolences to the reader who found out he was allergic to them.
And to the reader who said they are good, but hard to slice, you are 100 percent right.
Today's random food thought: Unless you're dealing with some special, homemade recipe, there's no reason to purchase anything other than a Carvel ice cream cake for birthday celebrations. Other options never measure up and are simply foolish and non-sensical at this point. The brown crunchies in between the vanilla and chocolate simply have no match. I dare you to disagree with me.
Dierte......Yeah, Weaver can catch the balls thrown to his hands, but lets not forget who is throwing the ball. Weaver will not be a viable pass option unless Kolb goes in for those plays.— Voytas- Cookie Puss and Fudgey The Whale rock!— horhey
- I missed the mango discussion but I can tell you the mangos from Peru are by far the best.— Lockyer
- Check out some of the you tube clips of "Weaver the Face Cleaver". I think the FB addition is huge and will pay dividends in two-back short yardage sets where the Birds struggled mightily last year. Still need Westy to stay healthy, but I'm not too concerned about the RB spot. Agree on the Carvel IC cake, although I may have to try the Cold Stone variety as a good comparison. Friendly's also has some decent stuff.— Spike Forehand
Comment removed.- Mango is the best fruit ever— dsh129
- Comment removed.
- What's with the ice cream cake discussion?? I told y'all ice cream cakes are only good if eaten INSIDE! You need a great cake that can be eaten outside AND inside! Shut up about ice cream cakes! And riles1875, gimme a break about the Phillies. Ok, they made this city a hot commodity again by winning a championship but they are far and away from repeating and THIS is an Eagles blog site! GET IT RIGHT!
- Comment removed.
- Baskin robbins ice cream cakes r the bomb!!! all this talk bout mcnabb not being accurate. He completed 60% of his passes and threw for almost 4,000 yards. More than your super bowl winning Qb big ben who completed 59% of his passes.people act like don completed 40% of his passes. I personally think they need a rb with some size and speed to come out of the back field. a duece staley type of back, sometimes u need a change up runner. shady is gonna be good i just worry about rookie backs in this type of offense. it may take some time. and bwest if healthy will be a beast trust that.— bigjay215
- RBs are fine--lots of downhill running off left tackle! Agree with Trent Dilfer--sure glad I can't listen to the naysayers on WIP here in Boise!!! F-E-F!!!!! McMillan's Bakery in Westmont crushes Carvel or DQ.....and try the pumpkin donuts around Halloween....— IdahoMoose
- Carvel ice cream cakes in the shape of the football are awesome. Lots of the little cruchy topping... I hear Andy Reid loves em.— KevinRx
- cannoli cake at joseph's classic market in palm beach gardens will blow you away. ice cream cake, blaha. i can't believe the eagles haven't signed former colt, cardinal and 'u' man edge. he'll carry the running game until mccoy picks it up. westbrook who we all love looks done.— JACK V
- Pumpkin donuts and muffins around Halloween are REAL decent! Yum Yum's is the best for those! Snook65, i'm with you on Andy Bleed's dedication to the run this year. With all the weapons (read options) he can use at WR and his TE's, he may use the run only 30% this year which would be wrong. But then again, nobody ever accused Andy Feedbag of being smart making plays.
- Late to the discussion - but Mango is a cousin (botanically speaking) of poison Ivy and you can react the same way to them. My face was once covered with itchy red splotches for days after eating mango. ugh. Ice cream cake? eh, I can take them or leave them.— reb
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