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        the Gridiron >> the Red Zone >>  Player Profile - Brian Westbrook, Eagles
        
(Message started by: Drugrunner on Sep 7^th, 2002, 1:59am)

Title: Player Profile - Brian Westbrook, Eagles
Post by Drugrunner on Sep 7^th, 2002, 1:59am

RB Brian Westbrook, Eagles. 5'8", 200, 4.58
(That 200lbs is more of a gift than an Actual wieght, he weighs less)

Not really recruited out of High School, as he tore his left ACL and injured his Hip in a Slam Dunk contest and missed his Senior season. (I put this in because it just strikes me as funny to have a 5'8" High School kid in a Slam Dunk contest, ;D but also I'm building the ground work for a solid Injury track record reguarding his left ACL.) Went to Villanova, and played all 13 games as a Freshmen. He actually had an excellent career at Villanova. Became the Center of the Offense by his Sophomore season. Fell after his Sophomore season after he lead Division 1-AA in all purpose rushing. In that fall, tore his left ACL gain, rehabed without surgery for 6 months, and tried to play on it again. Finally had to have Surgry, costing him the 99 season. Back in 2000, and lead Division 1-AA in all purpose rushing again, Player of the year Atlantic Ten Conference, 3rd in the Walter Payton voting (Division 1-AA version of the Heisman). In 2001 Led Division 1-AA in all purpose rushing for the 3rd time, a bunch of other awards, and won the Walter Payton, the 1-AA Heisman.

Dominated 1-AA as a runner and reciever, Quick through the hole, good vision and Balence. Actually a surprisingly good inside runner in College. Westbrook is at his best outside turning the corner. Can make the first man miss, has multiple moves in his bag of tricks, HUGE, Monsterous hands for a man of his little size. Great reciever who also played in the Slot possition. Excellent kick off and punt returner, and played special teams while leading the nation in rushing durring all three years. And I don't mean Special teams as in he was returning kicks, he did that, I mean special teams as in Kick off and Punt coverage teams as well. He is a total old school throw back who was constaintly on the feild.

You would like to hope that he can be an every down back in the NFL, but it's just not a realistic thought. Small at 5'8", with a small frame, and has no real place to add any size, he just simply has a little frame that is not going to carry much size and bulk. Maybe he could get around the 5'8" thing if he was more stocky, but he is already maxed out. For his size, he IS powerful, for the NFL standard, he is not. He doesn't have the strength or power to break many tackels at the next level. Not really fast, but very quick. Explosions of energy, but a bad top end speed. Westbrook was a star in 1-AA, and he is very skilled and talented, but in this case, it's more that the Teams and Defenses that Westbrook faced weren't very good that it is that he was that good.

Remember Troy Davis? The 5'8" All-World everything in 1-AA ball a few years ago that set every record you can imagine, went to the NFL, and hasn't been heard of since? It's alot like that set up, only Westbrook is very talented in "Nitch" areas that should keep him in the NFL. (Recieving, Return Man, Special teams, to go along with decent but not special running skills)

Think David Meggett. That is the best way to describe him. Can play in the NFL, and certainly can excell in specific areas, and even be a Pro-Bowler at what he does. What he does is going to be is a Kick off and Punt return man and a passing down back, who could see some limited action on 1st and 2nd down. That is most likely the most he will ever be able to play up to, but it is not a lock. I suspect that he has a decent chance to be better than the average 3rd down back, but not a featured runner. Don't forget about that history with his Left ACL that has been torn and repaired under the knife twice already. I don't think it will be a problem, but it's something to remember. I would let someone else have this guy. If he is on your team, see if you can't get a 2nd round future Draft pick for him right now. With the confusion surounding the Eagles running game, some Owner is going to bite thinking he has a chance to be the starter. Let them have him.

Title: Re: Player Profile - Brian Westbrook, Eagles
Post by bgsgfan on Sep 7^th, 2002, 10:49am

I am in a league that scores return yards as heavily as rushing/receiving yards. In that league I have several return specialists: Ronney Jenkins, Jermaine Lewis, Steve Smith, and Brian Mitchell.

Anyhow, will Westbrook cut into Mitchell's return stats and how much? Will Mitchell get used any in the offense (as Reid talked about during the offseason)?

Any news and veiws on this would be appreciated.

Title: Re: Player Profile - Brian Westbrook, Eagles
Post by PhantasyPhilly on Sep 7^th, 2002, 8:54pm

on 09/07/02 at 10:49:22, bgsgfan wrote:

Don't look for Brian Mitchell to get into the offensive huddle much. He has to go through Staley, Levens, and Westbrook first. Mitchell is slated to be the #1 return guy for punts and kickoffs, but expect Westbrook to get some opportunities there too. In the preseason Westbrook did not show himself to be sure-handed on returns, so Mitchell will be the go-to-guy whenever it counts. If it's junk-time in the 4th quarter of a blowout, then Westbrook will get his chance at returning.

I think Westbrook is a solid role-player (Meggett was the perfect example) who can be the #1 guy on a limited (desperation) basis, but look for him to come in as a change-of-pace guy.