Westbrook to see decreased workload? (1 Viewer)

[gianmarco]

(Rotoworld) Offensive coordinator Marty Mornhinweg says the Eagles would rather not rely on Brian Westbrook as much as they did in 2007.

Impact: "We were forced to lean on him just a little bit more last year because of several things," Mornhinweg said. "If we're healthy, we can spread it around a little bit more." Westbrook is a pretty safe bet for 325 touches, but don't gamble on him accounting for 37 percent of the Birds' offense again.

 

[switz]

(Rotoworld) Offensive coordinator Marty Mornhinweg says the Eagles would rather not rely on Brian Westbrook as much as they did in 2007.Impact: "We were forced to lean on him just a little bit more last year because of several things," Mornhinweg said. "If we're healthy, we can spread it around a little bit more." Westbrook is a pretty safe bet for 325 touches, but don't gamble on him accounting for 37 percent of the Birds' offense again.

Last year was the highest he ever finished as it was IIRC, and one of his most healthy years. Why would anyone expect him to finish as high as he did again?

 

[TheFanatic]

I think the main thing to take away from what Marty said is that they want to spread the ball around more which will drop his touches but his yards per carry and catch may go up due to D's not being able to key on his as much. So expect him to come back to earth a bit but don't go all doom and gloom here.

 

[Sigmund Bloom]

The Booker acquisition signaled this, especially after they took Desean Jackson in the second... one of my sources told me at the draft that Westbrook's knee wasn't responding as well as they hoped and they wanted to cut down his workload.

 

[Garts]

Kevin Jones??

More T. Hunt?

More Buckhalter?

 

[FavreCo]

RBBC is everywhere you look.

 

[fsufan]

RBBC is everywhere you look.

I think we will see more and more of RBBC as the years go on. I like to call it the 2 RB system

 

[bonesman]

RBBC is everywhere you look.

I think we will see more and more of RBBC as the years go on. I like to call it the 2 RB system

http://forums.footballguys.com/forum/index...p;hl=RBBC++MythI like to call it BS

 

[delusional]

Like it matters? The guy can touch the ball 10 times a game and still rake in plenty of points

 

[Super King]

Like it matters? The guy can touch the ball 10 times a game and still rake in plenty of points

 

[The Ref]

So with this news in mind, where should we draft him?

4th? 5th? 6th? 10th?

My take is he is still a top 5 pick no matter what, and is no less then 3'd in PPR even with a 20% reduction.

 

[fsufan]

RBBC is everywhere you look.

I think we will see more and more of RBBC as the years go on. I like to call it the 2 RB system

http://forums.footballguys.com/forum/index...p;hl=RBBC++MythI like to call it BS

Teams I think at this point will use 1 RB to carry the bulk of the carries. There are still a lot of unknowns at this point.Buff

NYJ

Balt

Cleve

Indy

KC

Oak

SD

Dall

Phily

Wash

GB

Minny

Atl

Ari

STL

SF

teams that used RBBC last year due to a # of reason

Mia

NE

Cinny

Hou

Jville

Tenn

Den

KC

Oak

Dall

NYG

Det

Atl

Car

TB

STL

The teams change from year to year but 40% to 50% of NFL teams use RBBC during a course of a season due to a # of reason.

 

[simsarge]

Watch how that spread the ball around/reduced Westbrook touches concept works for them after they go 0-2 or 0-3. THey know they have no shot at winning consistantly without him very involved. But they also know that if they push him and rely on him to the extent they did last year, his days are way numbered. He's not a pring chicken and he's got a lot of miles on those wheels. How long before he's another Priest Holmes or Saun Alexander?

 

[TheFanatic]

Link to full article

Mornhinweg: Less work for Westbrook

By REUBEN FRANK

phillyBurbs.com

The best thing for the Eagles, Marty Mornhinweg suspects, may be less of their best player.

Less Brian Westbrook?

Yep.

“We really leaned on him hard last year,” the Eagles' offensive coordinator said after Sunday's morning minicamp practice at the NovaCare Complex. “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 — "Let's get the ball in Westbrook's hands.' ”

There were times last year when Westbrook was the offense. With McNabb feeling his way through much of the season after knee surgery, with backup A.J. Feeley starting a few games, with Smith's season-long injury and inconsistency from starting wide outs Reggie Brown and Kevin Curtis, there just weren't very many options beyond No. 36.

As versatile as Westbrook is, Mornhinweg believes the Eagles grew predictable last year — out of necessity. Although they ranked sixth in the NFL in offense, the Eagles were only 17th in scoring. And even an All-Pro running back enjoying one of the greatest seasons in NFL history wasn't enough to bump the Eagles over .500.

That's why Mornhinweg thinks more balance will not only help the offense become less predictable but will also make Westbrook more dangerous.

“We have so many guys who can make plays,” Mornhinweg said. “Reggie and Kevin, getting L.J. back, [newcomer Lorenzo] Booker, getting Donovan healthy — and Donovan looks great — and all the others.

“Brian is an amazing player, but if we can get everybody involved, now maybe that takes a little heat off Westbrook and puts a little heat on the defense, and Brian becomes even more explosive.”

Westbrook's franchise-record 2,104 yards last year represented 37 percent of the Eagles' total offense. He became the fourth player in NFL history with 2,000 or more yards and 90 receptions.

Westbrook is fine with another 372 touches, but he understands that the ball will probably be spread around a little more this fall.

“I wouldn't mind it being the same,” he said. “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.”

As dangerous as Westbrook was last season when everybody knew he was going to get the ball, just think how much more dangerous he might be with the element of surprise on his side.

“Brian Westbrook is a fabulous player,” Mornhinweg said. “I'm just saying we were forced to lean on him just a little bit more last year because of several things. If we're healthy, we can spread it around a little bit more and be a little bit more dynamic with everybody healthy.”

Special teams lacked leadership

Special teams coach Rory Segrest said one of the problems on special teams last season was a lack of veteran leadership, something the Eagles believe they've solved with the addition of free agents like Rocky Boiman, Chris Clemons, Dan Klecko and Kris Wilson.

“It does give us some veteran leadership on special teams, which we were lacking a little bit last year,” Segrest said. “Looking back at it last year, we just had a lot of young guys on the field, and they made some rookie mistakes.”

This and that

The Eagles have four non-roster rookies at practice — Norfolk State quarterback Casey Hansen, Butler Community College receiver James Robinson and linebackers Gary Butler of California (Pa.) and Markell Staffieri of Brigham Young.

 

[Pip's Invitation]

He was relied upon so heavily because of the lack of options. There are now more. He'll still get the vast majority of carries and RB receptions.

3rd in PPR (LT, ADP), 5th in non-PPR (LT, ADP, SJax, Addai), IMO.

 

[Sigmund Bloom]

He was relied upon so heavily because of the lack of options. There are now more. He'll still get the vast majority of carries and RB receptions. 3rd in PPR (LT, ADP), 5th in non-PPR (LT, ADP, SJax, Addai), IMO.

I agree, he's still a top 5 pick no matter how you cut it.

 

[TheFanatic]

He was relied upon so heavily because of the lack of options. There are now more. He'll still get the vast majority of carries and RB receptions. 3rd in PPR (LT, ADP), 5th in non-PPR (LT, ADP, SJax, Addai), IMO.

Good point. And the larger point I have to wonder about is, whom exactly did they bring in to be that playmaker other than BWest? A rookie WR? Rookie WR's don't have the best chance to be playmakers right away. Booker? If he was really anything would Tuna have parted with him? Is LJ Smith healthy? Is he even on the team? I sorta lost track of LJ.I hear that they WANT to spread it around but that implies people to spread it around to. Sounds to me like they are going to go right back to just using Westbrook when they can't score any other way...

 

[mbuehner]

First of all- its unlikely Westbrook will match last year statistically. But... he probably won't fall off all that much either.

Westbrook in the last 4 years has averaged a ferocious 123 all purpose yards per game, and .71 TDs. Thats almost 2000 yards and 11 TDs in a 16 game season... not that far off what he did last year. In other words Westbrook had a career year last season, but it certainly didnt come out of nowhere.

Rankings can be deceptive. If Westbrook is healthy, he CAN be a top 5 back even with a somewhat diminished workload and FP production. He's a valuable aset because of his multidimensional threat and homerun ability. In other words, he isnt as badly served by losing touches as many backs would be.

That being said, when i say he can be a top 5 back, it will depend greatly on the field. Considering the question marks around the league this year, Westbrook based on talent and resume alone has a good shot to crack the top 5 in what LOOKS (so far) to be a year of increased RBBC. Obviously that may end up not being the case and you could have a few guys with 350+ carries and knocking on 20 TDs like we have seen in the past.

Westbrook is one of those guys that is more valuable than his stats indicate because he is consistant. He produces on less carries touches when he is fresh and explosive, but he can compile if the Eagles lean on him again. It all depends on staying healthy. That consistancy is valuable, because although there are several RBs in the league with higher (even much higher) upside- their downsides and question marks reduce their absolute value.

 

[Mr. Peterson]

How do you think this affects McNabbs numbers? Do you think they go up or down with Westy getting less?

 

[brock]

coming off a career year in which i don't think he can repeat is why i won't have him in my top 5.

 

[switz]

He was relied upon so heavily because of the lack of options. There are now more. He'll still get the vast majority of carries and RB receptions. 3rd in PPR (LT, ADP), 5th in non-PPR (LT, ADP, SJax, Addai), IMO.

I agree, he's still a top 5 pick no matter how you cut it.

He was (per FBG)...#6 in '06#18 in '05#10 in '04#20 in '03#73 in '02Last year was his highest ever finish, prior to that he's never been top-5, and twice top-10. I for one would not draft him in the top-5 in a redraft this coming season.

 

[switz]

If Westbrook is healthy, he CAN be a top 5 back even with a somewhat diminished workload and FP production. He's a valuable aset because of his multidimensional threat and homerun ability. In other words, he isnt as badly served by losing touches as many backs would be.

Except losing touches does in no way keep Westbrook healthy. In limited touches throughout his career, he's missed extensive time. He's a great guy to have stashed on your roster for when he's healthy, but not a guy you count on to be your #1 RB.

 

[mbuehner]

Except losing touches does in no way keep Westbrook healthy. In limited touches throughout his career, he's missed extensive time. He's a great guy to have stashed on your roster for when he's healthy, but not a guy you count on to be your #1 RB.

But that certainly doesnt indicate that decreased touches increases his chance of injury.Westbrook is likely to miss some games given his history. That is probably fairly independent of his workload. However it is a good idea not to let last season unduly influence the view of his proneness to injury, he's likely to miss some time. The scary question is when.

 

[switz]

Except losing touches does in no way keep Westbrook healthy. In limited touches throughout his career, he's missed extensive time. He's a great guy to have stashed on your roster for when he's healthy, but not a guy you count on to be your #1 RB.

But that certainly doesnt indicate that decreased touches increases his chance of injury.Westbrook is likely to miss some games given his history. That is probably fairly independent of his workload. However it is a good idea not to let last season unduly influence the view of his proneness to injury, he's likely to miss some time. The scary question is when.

Agreed, he's tops in PPG when healthy. MY point was just not to delude oneself into thinking if his touches decreases he's automatically going to last 16 games. He may miss only one, he may miss 4, he may miss 8.If you draft him early to ride his healthy and high PPG, then wisdom would be to trade him for a younger but strong performer.

 

[Mr. Peterson]

How do you think this affects McNabbs numbers? Do you think they go up or down with Westy getting less?

So does this help McNabb?Or hurt him because Westy will possibly be off the field more?

 

[The Man with the Plan]

Just another bull#### preseason story. I don't believe it. Actions speak louder than words. Brian Westbrook is a beast and he will continue beasting. Case closed.

 

[the spanker]

Just another bull#### preseason story. I don't believe it. Actions speak louder than words. Brian Westbrook is a beast and he will continue beasting. Case closed.

Are you trying to convince us or yourself Westy owner?

 

[The Man with the Plan]

Just another bull#### preseason story. I don't believe it. Actions speak louder than words. Brian Westbrook is a beast and he will continue beasting. Case closed.

Are you trying to convince us or yourself Westy owner?

Yeah I own Westbrook. What of it? Don't we see these same stories every year in the offseason? It could be for any player. How many times we see a coach say one thing and not follow through. It's all part of the strategy.Besides it's like somebody said earlier. Who are these other offensive options for the Eagles anyways? Kevin Curtis? He's okay. Reggie Brown? Garbage. LJ Smith? Garbage. Jackson? He's like 120 pounds. Lorenzo Booker? I'm not worried at all.

 

[the spanker]

Just another bull#### preseason story. I don't believe it. Actions speak louder than words. Brian Westbrook is a beast and he will continue beasting. Case closed.

Are you trying to convince us or yourself Westy owner?

Yeah I own Westbrook. What of it? Don't we see these same stories every year in the offseason? It could be for any player. How many times we see a coach say one thing and not follow through. It's all part of the strategy.Besides it's like somebody said earlier. Who are these other offensive options for the Eagles anyways? Kevin Curtis? He's okay. Reggie Brown? Garbage. LJ Smith? Garbage. Jackson? He's like 120 pounds. Lorenzo Booker? I'm not worried at all.

I must admit you do have a point there.

 

[SSOG]

He was relied upon so heavily because of the lack of options. There are now more. He'll still get the vast majority of carries and RB receptions. 3rd in PPR (LT, ADP), 5th in non-PPR (LT, ADP, SJax, Addai), IMO.

I agree, he's still a top 5 pick no matter how you cut it.

He was (per FBG)...#6 in '06#18 in '05#10 in '04#20 in '03#73 in '02Last year was his highest ever finish, prior to that he's never been top-5, and twice top-10. I for one would not draft him in the top-5 in a redraft this coming season.

Season ending ranks are misleading. PPG ranks are much better. I mean, it's not like if your stud gets hurt you simply take a 0 for that position all year. At the very least, calculate the ppg of an average backup (RB30, say), and add that to Westbrook's season total for every game that he missed.

 

[bicycle_seat_sniffer]

dude is still gold in PPR regardless of any May coachspeak

 

[Banger]

If the Eagles want to win ball games, and I'm sure they do, they will continue to rely on Westy since he's far better than their 2nd best alternative. He may want to give the ball to someone else but when push comes to shove Westy will get the ball. Nothing to see here....

 

[Banger]

If Westbrook is healthy, he CAN be a top 5 back even with a somewhat diminished workload and FP production. He's a valuable aset because of his multidimensional threat and homerun ability. In other words, he isnt as badly served by losing touches as many backs would be.

Except losing touches does in no way keep Westbrook healthy. In limited touches throughout his career, he's missed extensive time. He's a great guy to have stashed on your roster for when he's healthy, but not a guy you count on to be your #1 RB.

Is it better to bank on an Edge type player who will be there every game and give you a lower ppg or go with Westy? C'mon, tell me 12 backs that you'd put above him. That's silly.

 

[SproutDaddy]

Just another bull#### preseason story. I don't believe it. Actions speak louder than words. Brian Westbrook is a beast and he will continue beasting. Case closed.

Are you trying to convince us or yourself Westy owner?

Yeah I own Westbrook. What of it? Don't we see these same stories every year in the offseason? It could be for any player. How many times we see a coach say one thing and not follow through. It's all part of the strategy.Besides it's like somebody said earlier. Who are these other offensive options for the Eagles anyways? Kevin Curtis? He's okay. Reggie Brown? Garbage. LJ Smith? Garbage. Jackson? He's like 120 pounds. Lorenzo Booker? I'm not worried at all.

As a Westy owner and a Booker owner I can see Booker cutting into the role with ease.

 

[Banger]

Just another bull#### preseason story. I don't believe it. Actions speak louder than words. Brian Westbrook is a beast and he will continue beasting. Case closed.

Are you trying to convince us or yourself Westy owner?

Yeah I own Westbrook. What of it? Don't we see these same stories every year in the offseason? It could be for any player. How many times we see a coach say one thing and not follow through. It's all part of the strategy.Besides it's like somebody said earlier. Who are these other offensive options for the Eagles anyways? Kevin Curtis? He's okay. Reggie Brown? Garbage. LJ Smith? Garbage. Jackson? He's like 120 pounds. Lorenzo Booker? I'm not worried at all.

As a Westy owner and a Booker owner I can see Booker cutting into the role with ease.

I'd see Hunt as more of threat than Booker. Booker couldn't get a sniff on one of the worst teams in the history of the NFL.

 

[Anthony Borbely]

If the Eagles want to win ball games, and I'm sure they do, they will continue to rely on Westy since he's far better than their 2nd best alternative. He may want to give the ball to someone else but when push comes to shove Westy will get the ball. Nothing to see here....

 

[switz]

He was relied upon so heavily because of the lack of options. There are now more. He'll still get the vast majority of carries and RB receptions. 3rd in PPR (LT, ADP), 5th in non-PPR (LT, ADP, SJax, Addai), IMO.

I agree, he's still a top 5 pick no matter how you cut it.

He was (per FBG)...#6 in '06#18 in '05#10 in '04#20 in '03#73 in '02Last year was his highest ever finish, prior to that he's never been top-5, and twice top-10. I for one would not draft him in the top-5 in a redraft this coming season.

Season ending ranks are misleading. PPG ranks are much better. I mean, it's not like if your stud gets hurt you simply take a 0 for that position all year. At the very least, calculate the ppg of an average backup (RB30, say), and add that to Westbrook's season total for every game that he missed.

Read my other posts.

 

[Bri]

In theory, giving Westbrook rest from those 2 yard carries or catches, but keeping him in there for all his 8+ yard runs and catches seems like a good idea. Good luck predicting when those are though.

If I were Reid, I'd want a Stacey Mack/Brandon Jacobs(with Tiki) type RB to take some of the short yardage carries that probably lend to bruises a bit more than the rest.

Best non typical substitution I can recall was Brandon Bennett in Cincy. He'd take a series and stat wise, at the end of the game, you wouldn't even notice Dillon was out during that time. I figure that's what everyone wants, RB to get rest and production not to suffer.

Most RBs need a number of carries to get their wheels going and sharing can hurt those guys. I thought both Ward and Jacobs were better without the other around, last year. In time we might find out Julius Jones is someone that needs X amount of carries to get it going.

Westbrook may be the best back on 3rd down in the NFL but maybe one of these others can be very good and it's worth it to give him a breather on 3rd?

Sharing the rock between RBs is trickier than it seems. Us FFers want to plug avg yards per carry into their carry #s and work out a system for them but it rarely ever works that smoothly.

 

[renesauz]

Just another bull#### preseason story. I don't believe it. Actions speak louder than words. Brian Westbrook is a beast and he will continue beasting. Case closed.

Are you trying to convince us or yourself Westy owner?

Yeah I own Westbrook. What of it? Don't we see these same stories every year in the offseason? It could be for any player. How many times we see a coach say one thing and not follow through. It's all part of the strategy.Besides it's like somebody said earlier. Who are these other offensive options for the Eagles anyways? Kevin Curtis? He's okay. Reggie Brown? Garbage. LJ Smith? Garbage. Jackson? He's like 120 pounds. Lorenzo Booker? I'm not worried at all.

As a Westy owner and a Booker owner I can see Booker cutting into the role with ease.

I'd see Hunt as more of threat than Booker. Booker couldn't get a sniff on one of the worst teams in the history of the NFL.

Hunt might not make the team. Buckhalter is a better RB then Hunt, and is the COP/short yardage back. Booker will be a true backup and won't see more then 3-5 plays a game unless Westbrook gets hurt. In fantasy terms, Booker will likely only be valuable as a handcuff, while Buckhalter may hold some value only in the deepest of leagues.As far as ranking, Westbrook may have slid a spot or two with the addition of Booker and more (healthy) weapons on the offense, but he's still easily top five in PPR.

 

[Bri]

I'd see Hunt as more of threat than Booker. Booker couldn't get a sniff on one of the worst teams in the history of the NFL.

Neither did Favre with the Falcons, Tony Richardson and Jimmy Smith with the Cowboys etc. I think there has to be a point where the player gets significant enough on-field experience to judge him.

 

[Bri]

He was relied upon so heavily because of the lack of options. There are now more. He'll still get the vast majority of carries and RB receptions. 3rd in PPR (LT, ADP), 5th in non-PPR (LT, ADP, SJax, Addai), IMO.

I agree, he's still a top 5 pick no matter how you cut it.

He was (per FBG)...#6 in '06#18 in '05#10 in '04#20 in '03#73 in '02Last year was his highest ever finish, prior to that he's never been top-5, and twice top-10. I for one would not draft him in the top-5 in a redraft this coming season.

I wouldn't either.Westbrook has a way of getting injured(slightly) and making me worry almost every weekend that he'll play. I'm not sure anymore how much time he actually missed so it might not be true that he's an injury risk, but geesh can he make an FF owner concerned. At the top of the draft, someone that won't do that to me+will still get exceptional production will edge him out IMO. He's an exceptional back and how I feel about him, others may feel about another RB. I'd have no issue with him at 5 in someone's rankings.

 

[FUBAR]

He was relied upon so heavily because of the lack of options. There are now more. He'll still get the vast majority of carries and RB receptions. 3rd in PPR (LT, ADP), 5th in non-PPR (LT, ADP, SJax, Addai), IMO.

I agree, he's still a top 5 pick no matter how you cut it.

He was (per FBG)...#6 in '06#18 in '05#10 in '04#20 in '03#73 in '02Last year was his highest ever finish, prior to that he's never been top-5, and twice top-10. I for one would not draft him in the top-5 in a redraft this coming season.

I wouldn't either.Westbrook has a way of getting injured(slightly) and making me worry almost every weekend that he'll play. I'm not sure anymore how much time he actually missed so it might not be true that he's an injury risk, but geesh can he make an FF owner concerned. At the top of the draft, someone that won't do that to me+will still get exceptional production will edge him out IMO. He's an exceptional back and how I feel about him, others may feel about another RB. I'd have no issue with him at 5 in someone's rankings.

IIRC, FBG is non-PPR (how's that for alphabet soup )In a PPR league, the only guys I'll take in a redraft ahead of him are LT, ADP, SJax, and an argument can be made for Addai. Top 5 easy. In non-PPR, he slides down a few, but there's so much uncertainty among the top 10 that he'll go anywhere from 4-10 in different leagues.

 

[Chunky Soup]

Read my other posts.

Wow. You're really, really determined to lower BWs value.1) Injury prone? No. He's missed one game in each of the last two years, while putting up career numbers for carries. In previous years he's been injured with freakish injuries. I do like how you argued that less carries = no better chance at staying healthy. It's a simple fact that less carries gives him less chance to get hurt. You can't argue that.

2) Now you're arguing production? First, PPG he was unreal. This has some value to it that you seem to be dismissing. I can't believe you're using season end stats for seasons that he played in 12 games. Second, FBG doesn't count for PPR like the stats you were looking at. Even in non-ppr, when he has remained healthy he had #6 and #2.

Other points:

BW is the focal point of the offense. Think Marshall Faulk back in the day. He will be used. He will produce. Running the ball inside, outside or catching the ball. The Eagles need him and no one will taking significant time away from him.

If, for some reason BW doesn't get all of the carries, he is extremely productive with few. My favorite is vs. SF, 8 carries, 117 yards 2 TDs, 4 rec 47 yards 1 TD. He is one of the most productive backs right now and he still will get 300+ touches.

This is all barring injury, which as we know from the NFL no one is safe. Increased carries over the last two years and BW has played in more games than ever in his career -- I think he has a good chance to play in a lot of games this year. Last year he received 370 touches (up from 310 the year before). No players in the NFL are safe at that point.

 

[switz]

Read my other posts.

Wow. You're really, really determined to lower BWs value.1) Injury prone? No. He's missed one game in each of the last two years, while putting up career numbers for carries. In previous years he's been injured with freakish injuries. I do like how you argued that less carries = no better chance at staying healthy. It's a simple fact that less carries gives him less chance to get hurt. You can't argue that.

2) Now you're arguing production? First, PPG he was unreal. This has some value to it that you seem to be dismissing. I can't believe you're using season end stats for seasons that he played in 12 games. Second, FBG doesn't count for PPR like the stats you were looking at. Even in non-ppr, when he has remained healthy he had #6 and #2.

Other points:

BW is the focal point of the offense. Think Marshall Faulk back in the day. He will be used. He will produce. Running the ball inside, outside or catching the ball. The Eagles need him and no one will taking significant time away from him.

If, for some reason BW doesn't get all of the carries, he is extremely productive with few. My favorite is vs. SF, 8 carries, 117 yards 2 TDs, 4 rec 47 yards 1 TD. He is one of the most productive backs right now and he still will get 300+ touches.

This is all barring injury, which as we know from the NFL no one is safe. Increased carries over the last two years and BW has played in more games than ever in his career -- I think he has a good chance to play in a lot of games this year. Last year he received 370 touches (up from 310 the year before). No players in the NFL are safe at that point.

You obviously did NOT read my other posts - here I'll help...

Agreed, he's tops in PPG when healthy. My point was just not to delude oneself into thinking if his touches decreases he's automatically going to last 16 games. He may miss only one, he may miss 4, he may miss 8.

If you draft him early to ride his healthy and high PPG, then wisdom would be to trade him for a younger but strong performer.

In regards to your comments -in '03 he had 154 touches

in '04 260 touches

in '05 217 touches

in '06 317 touches

in '07 368 touches

is there some disparity in there? To say he's guaranteed 300 touches - especially when the coaches are saying he needs to touch the ball less - doesn't make any sense. And their reasoning is that his knee isn't doing well - the guy only has an ACL in one knee.

I'm not a Westbrook hater by any stretch of the imagination. But realistically, the guy is a huge risk.

 

[gregjcross]

Read my other posts.

Wow. You're really, really determined to lower BWs value.1) Injury prone? No. He's missed one game in each of the last two years, while putting up career numbers for carries. In previous years he's been injured with freakish injuries. I do like how you argued that less carries = no better chance at staying healthy. It's a simple fact that less carries gives him less chance to get hurt. You can't argue that.

2) Now you're arguing production? First, PPG he was unreal. This has some value to it that you seem to be dismissing. I can't believe you're using season end stats for seasons that he played in 12 games. Second, FBG doesn't count for PPR like the stats you were looking at. Even in non-ppr, when he has remained healthy he had #6 and #2.

Other points:

BW is the focal point of the offense. Think Marshall Faulk back in the day. He will be used. He will produce. Running the ball inside, outside or catching the ball. The Eagles need him and no one will taking significant time away from him.

If, for some reason BW doesn't get all of the carries, he is extremely productive with few. My favorite is vs. SF, 8 carries, 117 yards 2 TDs, 4 rec 47 yards 1 TD. He is one of the most productive backs right now and he still will get 300+ touches.

This is all barring injury, which as we know from the NFL no one is safe. Increased carries over the last two years and BW has played in more games than ever in his career -- I think he has a good chance to play in a lot of games this year. Last year he received 370 touches (up from 310 the year before). No players in the NFL are safe at that point.

You obviously did NOT read my other posts - here I'll help...

Agreed, he's tops in PPG when healthy. My point was just not to delude oneself into thinking if his touches decreases he's automatically going to last 16 games. He may miss only one, he may miss 4, he may miss 8.

If you draft him early to ride his healthy and high PPG, then wisdom would be to trade him for a younger but strong performer.

In regards to your comments -in '03 he had 154 touches

in '04 260 touches

in '05 217 touches

in '06 317 touches

in '07 368 touches

is there some disparity in there? To say he's guaranteed 300 touches - especially when the coaches are saying he needs to touch the ball less - doesn't make any sense. And their reasoning is that his knee isn't doing well - the guy only has an ACL in one knee.

I'm not a Westbrook hater by any stretch of the imagination. But realistically, the guy is a huge risk.

I think people need to know truly what the knee situation is. Soft cartilage does not get blood flow and does not repair itself over time. Why should we be led to believe Westbrook's knee would be any better or worse next year is the real question rather than, can he keep up the touches..

I dont see him as a huge risk but I would pay attention. PHI still has no other worthy backs

 

[Bri]

I think people need to know truly what the knee situation is. Soft cartilage does not get blood flow and does not repair itself over time.

Much of the knee doesn't get good blood flow in any person- Meniscus and Articular cartilage.

 

[mbuehner]

But realistically, the guy is a huge risk.

That's a huge overstatement when taken in context. There arent a lot of 'safe' picks this year. Westy has always produced on a per game basis, there are a lot of guys in the top 10 that either havent or havent proved it for very long. Westy is one of the safer picks to make the top 10, especially in PPR leagues.

 

[bcr8f]

RBBC is everywhere you look.

Except Green Bay.

 

[TheFanatic]

I'd see Hunt as more of threat than Booker. Booker couldn't get a sniff on one of the worst teams in the history of the NFL.

Neither did Favre with the Falcons, Tony Richardson and Jimmy Smith with the Cowboys etc. I think there has to be a point where the player gets significant enough on-field experience to judge him.

These are exceptions much more often than the rule. We can name a few others like Priest Holmes and Kurt Warner, but beyond that there are very few guys that are on a team and do nothing and then go on to stellar careers elsewhere...

 

[switz]

I'd see Hunt as more of threat than Booker. Booker couldn't get a sniff on one of the worst teams in the history of the NFL.

Neither did Favre with the Falcons, Tony Richardson and Jimmy Smith with the Cowboys etc. I think there has to be a point where the player gets significant enough on-field experience to judge him.

These are exceptions much more often than the rule. We can name a few others like Priest Holmes and Kurt Warner, but beyond that there are very few guys that are on a team and do nothing and then go on to stellar careers elsewhere...

Sure, if the player's been on the team a while, and failed when given a chance. Booker was a rookie last year, that's it.In the 5 games he actually played in at the end of the season, he was very effective as a receiver out of the backfield, and produced ok when he was used as a runner. I can see him being very effective (not AS effective as Westy) used in a Westbrook role.If anything, what the team did was trade for a Westbrook clone, not a guy to take away Westbrooks inside carries. That should raise flags. Especially tied in with the comments about Westbrooks knee.