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SAN FRANCISCO - The corner of Candlestick Park by the tunnel that leads to the locker rooms was dominated by Eagles fans, who were showing their appreciation for today's 40-26 win over the 49ers.
Some of the loudest cheers were for Correll Buckhalter, and he caught the eye of someone draped in an Eagles jersey, yanked off his gloves, and tossed them to him.
It was the last thing Buckhalter had to give because he had given everything else he had posing as Brian Westbrook, who missed the game because of fractured ribs.
One of the most respected players on the Eagles because of his persistence while recovering from three knee injuries that forced him to miss three of his first four seasons from 2002 to 2005, Buckhalter did his best to minimize the absence of one of the game's great all-around running backs.
He gained 93 yards and a touchdown on 18 carries, averaging 5.2 yards a carry, and caught seven passes for 85 yards. So he gave the Eagles an average of 7.1 yards each time he touched the football. They are career highs for Buckhalter in total yards and receiving. Westbrook would be proud.
"I think that was probably my best all-around game for the Eagles," he said.
The Eagles have a bye next week and it remains to be seen if Westbrook's ribs will be healed enough to allow his return to the lineup. Unfortunately for Buckhalter, he is almost completely forgotten when Westbrook is in the lineup. It doesn't seem to bother him in the least.
"Brian Westbrook is a big part of this team," said Buckhalter. "Whenever I can fill in, I'm fine with it, and I'll just try to make the best of it."
Buckhalter gave the Eagles a 7-3 lead with a 1-yard dive, then set up their second touchdown by taking a screen pass from Donovan McNabb and, after getting a crushing block from guard Max Jean-Gilles, took it down to the Niners' 9-yard line for a 25-yard gain. Later in the game, Buckhalter broke loose for gains of 28 and 15 yards, the latter setting up a McNabb-to-L.J. Smith TD.
With the game in crunch time in the fourth quarter, Buckhalter took another screen pass and went 18 yards during a drive that resulted in a David Akers field goal that gave the Eagles a 27-26 lead.
"We work pretty hard on screens all week, and we try to be as effective as we can with it," Buckhalter said. "And when our offensive line is blocking well and you get behind them you can do a lot of things. Our offensive line had great movement."
As the Eagles prepared for the 49ers realizing they'd likely be without Westbrook, third-string running back Lorenzo Booker said nobody could replace the Pro Bowl running back. But they found out again today they have someone who can come close.
at 215-854-2743 or rparrillo@phillynews.com.
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