Where do the Eagles turn at RB?
I remember seeing Brian Westbrook sweat it out at training camp last summer.
Where do the Eagles turn at RB?
Sheil Kapadia, Philly.com
I remember seeing Brian Westbrook sweat it out at training camp last summer.
Working on his footwork, running through drills with trainer Rick Burkholder, trying to show Andy Reid he was healthy enough to get back on the field.
Even when he was on the sidelines at Lehigh, Westbrook was in LeSean McCoy's ear, advising the Eagles' rookie running back, showing him the ropes.
Now, six months later, after a frustrating season that included a pair of concussions, Westbrook's career in Philadelphia is over.
Drafted in the third round in 2002, Westbrook spent eight seasons here, earning Pro Bowl honors twice and often putting the offense on his back.
It's hard to believe that he's just two years removed from quite possibly the best year of his career. In 2007, Westbrook set career highs with 1,333 yards rushing, 771 yards receiving and 2,104 total yards from scrimmage.
I was asked earlier about the Westbrook memory that sticks out in my head. It has to be the 84-yard punt return in 2003 at the Meadowlands. With Donovan McNabb having completed just nine passes for 64 yards on the day, and the Eagles (2-3 at the time) facing a 10-7 deficit, it was Westbrook's return that saved the season as the Birds finished 12-4 while advancing to the NFC championship.
But, this is the NFL.
And that means that seconds after you recall your favorite Westbrook memory, your buddy is texting you about who the Eagles should add to replace him.
Here's a look at the RBs on the current roster:
LeSean McCoy - He obviously now owns the position. McCoy carried for 637 yards and four touchdowns as a rookie, averaging 4.1 yards per carry. He also caught 40 balls for 308 yards. McCoy is the future, and he's more than capable of being an every-down back as he continues to work on his blocking and blitz pickup. But he will be just 22 years old when the Eagles head to Lehigh next summer. The Eagles will need to find the right complement.
Eldra Buckley - He's not the guy. The Eagles liked using him at times in short-yardage situations, but don't expect to see Buckley play a much larger role.
Leonard Weaver - This is an interesting one. Do the Eagles have enough confidence in Weaver as a ballcarrier to team him up with McCoy as a two-headed monster going into 2010? He had 70 carries for 323 yards last season. Weaver is a restricted free agent, but it would be surprising if he somehow did not return.
Martell Mallett - The Eagles signed the CFL's rookie of the year last month. That's about all we know about him.
So, where does this leave us?
The Eagles could draft a running back. But would that really make sense, given that they spent a second-rounder on McCoy last year and expect him to be the guy well into the future? I don't really think so.
The more likely route is to bring in a veteran running back who fits their needs. I know what you're thinking. Didn't they have a guy like that in Westbrook? Yes. But who knows what his health is like? And who knows if he still believes he can play a larger role elsewhere?
LaDainian Tomlinson was released yesterday, and according to the New York Daily News, Jets RB Thomas Jones could be next.
Chime in on the comments below. Where does the team go from here? What's your favorite Westbrook memory? We're two and a half weeks removed from the Super Bowl and more than two months away from the draft, but there's no shortage of topics to discuss.
Colleague Mike Potter found a highlight video that is embedded below, and photos from Westbrook's career are at the top.
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Birds turn back to Westy when he agrees to take less money. Maybe the league minimum to come back for another season. Can't blame them, though, since he only plays partial seasons anyway. But this was a classic Eagles move.— trainrdt- Draft Legarrett Blount from Oregon. Oh that's right the Eagles don't believe the Power Run Game has a place in Pro Football.That's why they'll remain the one team in the NFC that has never won a SuperBowl. Westbrook will be missed. I wonder where he'll show up next and whether he'll have an impact. I'll be watching.— MJPD345
- quite frankly, the Eagles decision was made easier by Westbrook's two concussions this year. That makes for dangerous territory in terms of culpability, and the Eagles I am certain do not want to fill that role. Let the possible permanent brain damage fall on someone else's staff.— stimmer
- McNabb for Chester Taylor, even up.— ArizonaMike
Comment removed.- Many hate to admit it but it was a sound business move. I think Westbrook still has about two years left. It is going to be a wait and see what happens.. Teams may pass on WB because of the injuries and concussions and as the draft, OTA's approach, maybe the Eagles can pick him up at a cheaper price. Who knows.. I wish him the best.— komplex2005
- big difference between Westbrook and any old fill in RB. Im talkin old westbrook, this is a smart move but he will be missed. He was almost more than half the reason McNabb and the team went so deep into playoffs all those years. We need to replace him with a dynamic runner who can break some plays, not sure McCoy is that guy but its still early on him. Should prob draft another rb to try to get that type of player or find one or team will just be mediocre.— peteike
- Brian Westbrook is one of the greatest Eagles I have had the privilege to watch and cheer for in the 40 years I have been an Eagle fan. I will miss his quickness, his toughness, his explosiveness, his professionalism and his easygoing manner as a star runningback. I salute you Brian Westbrook#36.— tmoon51
I like Thomas Jones...Still strong and a good blocker, Just needs to learn the offense. We shall see.— citysims- Hard to put more money on a guy that has had two major concussions in two weeks. No happy but the Eagles have to move on. Maybe LT could give them some help but first they would need to commit to the run.— naplesfan
- Warrick Dunn remains the best veteran compliment to McCoy,...he's got a few years left and he's a great blocker and he's not a complainer,....he'll be a good cheaper fit— SyddBarrett
- It doesnt matter who or if they sign a running back. Groundhog day with Father of the year Andy Reid for 12 years now...he could get ADrian Peterson and still only run the ballk 25% of the time.— Dr. Michael
- They don't need to draft a RB with a high pick. They could get Arkansas RB Michael Smith probably with a 4th round pick. He's a great receiver, he can block but he's smallish (which is why he'll probably be there in the 4th round) and quick as heck. Reminds me of a Darren Sproles-type, only a better receiver.— El Tel
- I'm sure westbrook will get better money elsewhere. I bet he still has a productive year or two in him in a reggie bush role at 10-15 touches a game, mostly on the edge— thefadd
- That highlight video brought me to tears— Tough* Juice*
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