Brian Westbrook

[Striker99 0]

News: Eagles offensive coordinator Marty Mornhinweg told the media that RB Brian Westbrook will continue to be a big part of the Philly offensive initiative this season. Mornhinweg says the Eagles will try to run the ball more this season but won't limit anybody's reps. "We're not going to put any numbers on anybody," he said. "Westbrook will have his hands on the football enough for us to win. Again, we will use all of our eligible receivers and all of our eligible runners and spread it around just a little bit. But, Brian will have his hands on the ball enough for us to win."

 

Fantasy Footballers knew Westbrook would be an integral part of the Philly offense, and this clinches it. In fact, all offseason long it has been reported that Westbrook will be more involved. Owners should consider him a No. 1 Fantasy rusher -- especially in leagues that count receptions -- and use a late first-round or early second-round pick on him in drafts.

 

[akaoni 0]

Westbrook somehow slipped to the 4th round last year in my main league, and I rode him to the playoffs (in spite of my 1st and 2nd round picks of Lewis and Dillon). I'd love to have him again this year, especially in a ppr league. That said, with Westy, insurance is required, he'll miss some time for sure...

[Striker99 0]

I got him and lamont !

[c_Weezie 3]

Thats good to hear for all the Westbrook owners out there. I got JJ late in the 2nd, Westy early in the 3rd, and KJ late in the 4th. I also snagged Marion Barber in the 12th round. So I am very happy with my RB Corps.

[esoitl 0]

anyone hear anything out of Philly on Buckhalter?

i know i heard his name pop up earlier and it again seems like he will be healthy at least for preseason

 

thats one thing im a touch worried about

knowing his history he will likely go down again but he could steal GL carries or something stupid

[Striker99 0]

Here...

 

Eagles offensive coordinator Marty Mornhinweg told the media that he is happy with the progress RB Correll Buckhalter (knee) had made thus far. "I think he is doing pretty well," Mornhinweg said. "He's bucking the odds just a little bit. He's done a heck of a job doing that. Our training staff -- with Rick [burkholder] and the rest of the guys -- [has] done a tremendous job with him just to get him to this point. So, we'll see what happens."

 

Buckhalter's eyes are on backing up Brian Westbrook, a spot he once held. However, second-year RB Ryan Moats did a nice job in that role last year. The team also has Bruce Perry on board, so Buckhalter will probably have to show up healthy and prove he can contribute -- possibly as a short-yardage back -- in order to make the 2006 team

[Mack 1 6]

Being the reformed Lion fan that I am, anything Marty Mornhinweg says makes me chuckle. That guy is a walking caricature. Perhaps he will prove to be a better OC than head coach...I guess time will tell.

 

That being said, while Westbrook should be productive, his fragility scares me.

[Drews Crew 0]

I'm looking to draft Westbrook with my 22nd pick in a 10 team draft.

Looking like:

1. Larry Johnson

2. Harrison/WR

3. Westbrook

 

His health bothers me, but he will make plays if good to go.

[Striker99 0]

But honestly..would anyone take him late first round? I think that news report above could be pushing it . But still, he is now the "man" in Philly

[famousb 11]

But honestly..would anyone take him late first round? I think that news report above could be pushing it . But still, he is now the "man" in Philly

 

in PPR i'd probably go as high as pick 8 considering he's almost a lock for 70 rec's even if he only plays 14 games.

[Striker99 0]

True True.....

 

but in non PPR....it's pushing it to draft him late 1st round. I'm not sure

[t.j 35]

Westbrook somehow slipped to the 4th round last year in my main league, and I rode him to the playoffs (in spite of my 1st and 2nd round picks of Lewis and Dillon). I'd love to have him again this year, especially in a ppr league. That said, with Westy, insurance is required, he'll miss some time for sure...

 

Yep. I picked him at 3.1 but he did me no good down the stretch, and I lost to LJ and SA in the championship game.

[Steel City Blues 0]

Oh yeah!

 

Westy owners are feeling it!

[Kilroy 0]

anyone hear anything out of Philly on Buckhalter?

 

Andy Reid ran him through a private session before clearing him to practice with the team. Buckhalter said Reid was throwing a big red ball at his feet during some drills making him jump and land on his operated knee. He said when he landed, everything felt natural and he lept moving in stride.

 

Reid also said he ran him through all sorts of drill to see how quickly he could cut and see if he had his explosion back. Since Reid cleared him to practice with the team, it appears as if Buckhalter is as least physically ready to go. Buckhalter also sounded as if there are no lingering effects from the surgeries.

 

That said, Buckhalter still has to make it through camp and the preseason healthy. He's tore up his knee before simply by making a cut a without ever being touched. When he came back from the first one, he was looking real good. Pretty much as good as he looked as a rookie. That gives me reason to believe he really is ready to at 100%, but you still can't trust his knees holding up.

 

If he makes the team, he'll be in the backfield behind Westbrook with Ryan Moats and/or Bruce Perry/Reno Mahe. With Jeremy Bloom's recent injury, Perry will have a good chance of making the roster because he can play the RB position and return punts/kicks. Mahe is more or less the same thing, but Perry is the more talented player--injuries have always been his problem.

 

At the moment, I get the feeling the Eagles depth at the position is ranked like this going into camp:

 

Brian Westbrook

Ryan Moats

Bruce Perry

Reno Mahe

Correll Buckhalter

Thomas Tapeh (plays FB--can play HB)

Josh Parry (starting FB heading into camp)

 

 

*Westbrook and Moats are on the roster.

 

*Perry and Mahe are competing against eachother. If one gets injured, the other almost definetly makes the team. If Buckhalter gets injured, the both of them could make the roster.

 

*If Buckhalter makes it to the start of the season healthy, and plays well during the preseason, it's hard to imagine he wouldn't make the roster. If he does, either Perry or Mahe will likely get cut and/or signed to the practice squad.

 

*I'm not sure of Tapeh's role, but his best chance to make the roster is to outplay Josh Parry at the FB position. He may have a chance to challange for Buckhalter's role, but C-Buck would need to dissapoint and/or get injured, along with Tapeh showing he can run effectively as a HB. If he doesn't make the roster, he's another canidate for the practice squad.

 

*Parry is the starting FB and will make the roster unless Tapeh beats him out. He isn't a threat as a RB though.

[harken34 0]

He's my flex player

[football is life 0]

I love Westbrook. He will post a 1,000 yard rush and 1,000 yard receiving year before it is done. If he stays healthy the past couple of years for 16 games... he would have already done it... twice!