Westbrook top dual-threat RB ?
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Westbrook top dual-threat RB ?
Sheil Kapadia, Philly.com
It's May, and that means new lists and rankings emerge on a daily basis as we kill time before training camp.
Matt Bowen of the National Football Post sparked a lively debate here earlier this week about whether Donovan McNabb is a franchise quarterback.
Bowen is back, this time ranking the top dual-threat running backs in the league.
Coming in at No. 1 is Brian Westbrook.
Writes Bowen:
Westbrook’s numbers were down last season because of injuries (he had 90 receptions in’07), but he still is considered the toughest match-up for defenses in the NFL. He can align in the slot and at the “X” position on the backside of formations. Five receiving TDs is a big number for a running back.
Statistically, Westbrook had his poorest season as a receiver since 2003, catching 54 balls for 402 yards and five touchdowns. His 7.4 yards per reception average was the worst of his career.
Westbrook ranked fourth among RBs in receptions and seventh in receiving yards.
In terms of rushing, he averaged 4.0 yards per carry, which ties the worst average of his career.
But those are all numbers.
Westbrook is still a playmaker, and he showed as much with the 71-yard TD reception in the wild-card win over the Vikings. How much will a real fullback and a revamped offensive line help his effectiveness? That's what we'll have to wait to find out.
Meanwhile, John Mullin of SI.com ranks the league's top backfields, and puts the Eagles at No. 5:
Who: QB Donovan McNabb; RB Brian Westbrook
Add/subtract: LT Jason Peters is a franchise addition in front of McNabb and Westbrook, and Stacy Andrews is another starter-grade OL addition. Drafting Jeremy Maclin in the first round this season and DeSean Jackson in the second last year does nothing but make McNabb and Westbrook more dangerous.
Questionable: The heavy load on Westbrook has worn him down and McNabb is high mileage at 32.
The Thought: With the draft of Pitt RB LeSean McCoy in Round 2, McNabb and Westbrook now may feel like they're in Kiddieland.
The backfields ranked ahead of the Eagles (from the top) are the Chargers, Giants, Cowboys and Patriots.
More later so check back.
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Sheil-why does it take you 3 or 4 days to report something that appears on someone else's blog? I read that 3 days ago...don't you read these things everday. How about some original information from you? What happened to original reporting and producing?— Dr. Michael- Kinda an odd comparison... does it include back-ups, FBs, 3rd down recievers(K Faulk, NE)?— Warhound
- agreed...i would think that, however minor his role may be, that our new fullback weaver would have some sort of impact.— philly57
- Good point about the FB. I think that'll make a major difference for our run game.— FKD215
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- I would also rank Pittsburgh highly, especially with Mendenhall returning. As for the Jints, they lost Ward (haven't attempted to replace him), haven't found a demonstrated replacement for Plaxico, and Eli has reverted nicely to his essentially ordinary level of play. They should be ranked just ahead of the Skins.— Stephen_Niksa
Can't agree 5. Westy has been terrific. I know you think he hasn't come through in short yaerdage but that can be attributed to injury and an aging line that got tired as the season went on and couldn't make a hole in the D with dynamite. Let's see how he does this year with a new line and healthy knees, shall we? McCoy will be a help too and I'd like to see Westy lined up all over the map to drive the D nuts. The mismatch possibilities are great. And freakin, that's just wolf's poor attempt to counter the widely held opinion that DM has had to weapons. He thinks Westy counters Burress, Shockey, Tiki, Toomer, Jacobs, Tyree, Smith, ....see the point? Same for all his other idols. Doesn't quite hold water does it?— tpizza- How can a true Eagles' fan bash Westbrook? The only way McCoy will be RB (assuming you meant starting) by Week 4 is if B-West gets hurt. He's a stretch for the top ten? Please give me a list of 10 running backs that are better.— dgreils
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- When did I ever bash Donovan? You have me confused with Lonewolf. I think Donovan is a top 5 QB, and with the right team around him, he's capable of winning a Super Bowl. I'll just wait for your list of 10 RBs that are better.— dgreils
- 5 - I get your sarcasm there. I'm trying to make it clear that I'm not a Donovan hater.— dgreils
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