Player Spotlight: Brian Westbrook (1 Viewer)

2007 Player Spotlight Series

Over the course of the offseason, we will be evaluating a multitude of players at every fantasy position. One such way we go about that is through the Player Spotlight series. Think of the Spotlights as a permanent record on some of the more intriguing players for the upcoming season. Each Spotlight will be featured in an article on the main website.

Thread Topic: Brian Westbrook, RB, Philadelphia Eagles

Player Page Link: Rudi Johnson Player Page

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Focus commentary on the player in question, and your expectations for said player
Back up your expectations in whatever manner you deem appropriate; avoid posts that simply say "I hate him" or "He's the best"
To be included in the final synopsis and consensus outlook, you MUST provide projections for the playerProjections should include (at a minimum):

For QBs: Passing Yards, Passing TDs, Ints, Rush Yards, Rush TDs
For RBs: Rushes, Rushing Yards, Rush TDs, Receptions, Receiving Yards, Receiving TDs
For WRs & TEs: Receptions, Receiving Yards, Receiving TDsBest of Luck and ENJOY!

200 carries

850 yds

64 receptions

600 yds

6-8 TD

Addition of a healthy WR2...plus an emerging WR3, and goal line carries will be tough for him...slight tick down this season...maybe outside fo the top10.

health is always a question. he stayed healthy for most of last season and had a career year in carries, rush yds, tds, rec and tot yds.

235 att

1115 yds

7 tds

62 rec

598 yds

3 tds

top 5 PPR RB

I think Andy Reid realizes he needs to run the ball more after McNabb went down last year. So Westbrook will see a lot more carries. Im not worried about a roookie stealing goalline touches from him but I still think Reid likes to pass the ball on the goalline. Basically Westbrook is a stud and should be taken in the 1st round. Only thing to worry about him is missing a game or 2 which he usually seems to do.

256 att, 1220 yds, 8 tds, 64 rec, 570 yds, 4 tds STUD

Westbrook had a MVP type season last year. He's one of the NFL's best running backs and he's still got another one in him.

1150 yards rushing 7 td's

65 receptions for 700 yards and 6 td's

Although health appears to be a consistent question mark with Bwest, he's played no less then 12 games each year and played 15 games last year... I believe Reid learned the importance of the running game last year when McNabb got hurt, most importantly the impact a consistent running game can have on the O-line. I think this should result in good things for the offense in 2007, even with Hunt and Buckhalter in the backfield mix Westbrook is the key to the Eagles offense. In addition, he will have more opportunity to split out wide and exploit bad matchups. Top 5 RB in my book.

An average year for Bwest according to his career = 1400 total yds, 9 tds... I expect this to be above average year due to Reid's growth in play-calling, return of McNabb and the strength of the Birds offense as a whole.

Rushing

220 carries - 1100 yards - 7 TDs

Receiving

68 catches - 720 yards - 7 TDs

Ministry of Pain said:

200 carries850 yds64 receptions600 yds6-8 TDAddition of a healthy WR2...plus an emerging WR3, and goal line carries will be tough for him...slight tick down this season...maybe outside fo the top10.

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How much were his numbers skewed by playing a more traditional feature back role when McNabb went down?

How much were his numbers skewed by playing a more traditional feature back role when McNabb went down?

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Westbrook per game averages with McNabb (counting TEN game):Rushes: 15.6Rush Yds: 79.4Rec: 5.8Rec Yds: 53.8Touches: 21.4Tot Yds: 133.2TDs/gm: .77Westbrook per game averages with Garcia (not counting Week 17):Rushes: 19.8Rush Yds: 100.4Rec: 4.8Rec Yds: 43.0Touches: 24.6Tot Yds: 143.4TDs/gm: .80It looks to be about a wash. 10 more yards per game on 3 more touches. In a PPR league the yardage gains are negated by the reception losses.

Snotbubbles said:

How much were his numbers skewed by playing a more traditional feature back role when McNabb went down?

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It looks to be about a wash. 10 more yards per game on 3 more touches. In a PPR league the yardage gains are negated by the reception losses.

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Seems trivial. I will say it should increase Westbrook's overall value - I surely did not assume he could be that effective in that role before seeing him do it consistently last year. It really defangs the "Westbrook's value will drop if McNabb is not ready/gets hurt again" argument.

Sigmund Bloom said:

Snotbubbles said:

How much were his numbers skewed by playing a more traditional feature back role when McNabb went down?

Click to expand...

It looks to be about a wash. 10 more yards per game on 3 more touches. In a PPR league the yardage gains are negated by the reception losses.

Click to expand...

Seems trivial. I will say it should increase Westbrook's overall value - I surely did not assume he could be that effective in that role before seeing him do it consistently last year. It really defangs the "Westbrook's value will drop if McNabb is not ready/gets hurt again" argument.

Click to expand...

I think it's worth pointing out that Jeff Garcia for a stretch was playing as good as any quarterback in the NFL at the time. I doubt that the same can be expected from whoever steps in this year if/when McNabb gets hurt.

Ministry of Pain said:

200 carries850 yds64 receptions600 yds6-8 TDAddition of a healthy WR2...plus an emerging WR3, and goal line carries will be tough for him...slight tick down this season...maybe outside fo the top10.

Click to expand...

No goalline carries and still only a 4.25 ypc? Are we looking at Rudi Johnson or Brian Westbrook?220/1000/6, 60/600/5

In PPR leagues, Westbrook is a legitimate RB1. But I'm surprised how he's universally considered a safe bet in non-PPR leagues as a RB1 [judging from his early rankings and mock ADP].

In the last four seasons, Westy has finished:

2003 -- RB20
2004 -- RB10
2005 -- RB18
2006 -- RB6Now, that's misleading [or is it?] because of his injuries.

On a per game basis:

2003 -- RB21
2004 -- RB10
2005 -- RB12
2006 -- RB4So, while last year may be a new benchmark, there's certainly not as much evidence to suggest he's a lock for top 10 production as the current enthusiasm would indicate.

I think it's worth pointing out that Jeff Garcia for a stretch was playing as good as any quarterback in the NFL at the time. I doubt that the same can be expected from whoever steps in this year if/when McNabb gets hurt.

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Westbrook actually played pretty well in 2005 with Mike McMahon at QB. And a ton of injuries on both offense and defense. Week 11: 16 carries, 66 yards, 0 TDs; 4 receptions, 57 yards, 0 TDsWeek 12: 20 carries, 120 yards, 1 TD; 4 receptions, 11 yards, 0 TDsWeek 13: 9 carries, 17 yards, 0 TDs; 5 receptions, 38 yards, 0 TDs (injured in 1st half)Averaged (divided by 2.5)Rushes: 18Rush Yds: 81.2Rec: 5.2Rec Yds: 42.4Touches: 23.2Tot Yds: 123.6TDs/gm: .4I'd say the above total yardage averages are a worst case senario for Westbrook regardless of who they have a QB.

westrook has never played 16 games, nor had more than 11 td's. last year was his biggest workload, and career year. if i had westbrook, i'd be selling high right now.

190 850 4.5 7 and 68 650 9.6 4

KING said:

westrook has never played 16 games, nor had more than 11 td's. last year was his biggest workload, and career year. if i had westbrook, i'd be selling high right now. 190 850 4.5 7 and 68 650 9.6 4

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Pretty much agree, but I wouldn't sell Westy if I had him. I don't think the bottom is going to fall out and he is still a solid tweener between RB1 and RB2 for Non PPR leagues. If it's a PPR league, I think we all know Westy's value spikes significantly. I worry a bit about the addition of Hunt to Philly. He just seems like a perfect fit to that team to me for some reason. I think he will add the power running ability that Philly desperately needs and short yardage/tough yards that move the chains. Will he steal some GL work? I haven't a clue. No team other than GB passes as much as Philly or passes as much in the redzone. So schematically it might still make the most sense to leave Westy in there the majority of the time. Either way, I don't see a duplication of last years numbers. Just a slight down-tick.Rushing: 230 att., 1020 yds, 5 TDsReceiving: 65 rec., 620 yds, 4 TDs