June 10, 2008 Brian Westbrook commented on his workload for the upcoming season, according to the Philadelphia Daily News. Westbrook said, "They haven’t talked to me about lightening my workload, or anything like that. I’m a fan of carrying the ball, and having the ball in my hands, but I also want the best for this team. I know sometimes it’s better to spread the ball, allow them to get the ball into different people’s hands so that we can present problems for a defense."
Our View:Westbrook should continue to be the focal point of the Eagles' offense, especially when you consider the news circulating that Donovan McNabb may have a shoulder ailment.
May 5, 2008 Eagles' offensive coordinator Marty Mornhinweg said that the best thing for the team could be to use Brian Westbrook less, according to the PhillyBurbs.com. Mornhinweg commented, "We really leaned on him hard last year. We had to. We had no choice. We were forced to because of injuries. Donovan McNabb was just coming back, L.J. Smith was hurt, and Brian had such an unbelievable season. Two-thousand yards rushing and receiving. He did everything." Westbrook added, "I wouldn't mind it being the same. I think I've been very productive with the ball in my hands with that many touches. I think I can continue to do that. Of course, with us adding more playmakers like DeSean Jackson and guys like that, you need to get the ball in his hands, and Booker as well. You can try and do some different things that might take the ball a little bit out of my hands."
Our View:As dynamic and versatile as Westbrook is, Mornhinweg believes the Eagles grew predictable last year. Westbrook racked up 2104 total yards and 12 touchdowns in 2007, but the Eagles only finished 17th in the NFL in scoring. That's why Mornhinweg thinks more balance will not only help the offense become less predictable but will also make Westbrook more dangerous. While Westbrook will be hard-pressed to put up the numbers he did last year, he should still remain an elite fantasy back. Less touches also limit the risk of injury, as Westbrook is still only 5-10 203 pounds.
December 29, 2007 Brian Westbrook was held out of Friday's practice to rest his sore knee. "He was on the turf a little the past two days, so we backed off on him today," coach Andy Reid said, according to the Philadelphia Inquirer. "He should be fine." Westbrook will start Sunday, as Reid was just giving the running back a day off to rest up.
December 23, 2007 Brian Westbrook will start for the Eagles on Sunday against the Saints. He sat out of practice on Wednesday and Thursday with a sore knee.
Our View:Westbrook has been playing through the pain for a while now. In fact, he had the same practice routine last week. We expect him to assume his usual workload in Week 16.
December 21, 2007 Brian Westbrook hasn't practiced the last two days, though he should be able to start and take his normal workload against the Saints on Sunday. Check Andy Reid's comments Friday afternoon just to be sure, but we're not worried about Westbrook just yet; sitting out midweek practices has been his routine much of the year.
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