Comments on: Philadelphia Eagles Training Camp 2008: The Runningbacks http://thestartingfive.net/2008/07/28/philadelphia-eagles-training-camp-2008-the-runningbacks/ Bangin’ and Scorin’ Every Trip Down the Floor Sun, 21 Mar 2010 11:13:28 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.5 By: Temple3 http://thestartingfive.net/2008/07/28/philadelphia-eagles-training-camp-2008-the-runningbacks/#comment-14341 Temple3 Tue, 29 Jul 2008 19:42:06 +0000 http://thestartingfive.net/?p=1300#comment-14341 The thing about BW (arguably the most important thing) is tha he makes defenders shit on every play because they KNOW if they have to tackle him alone, they are likely to get embarassed and he'll score. He's one of a handful of guys that can do that every single time he touches the ball -- and everyone knows it. The thing about BW (arguably the most important thing) is tha he makes defenders shit on every play because they KNOW if they have to tackle him alone, they are likely to get embarassed and he’ll score. He’s one of a handful of guys that can do that every single time he touches the ball — and everyone knows it.

]]> By: Black Market Index http://thestartingfive.net/2008/07/28/philadelphia-eagles-training-camp-2008-the-runningbacks/#comment-14337 Black Market Index Tue, 29 Jul 2008 18:52:01 +0000 http://thestartingfive.net/?p=1300#comment-14337 Temple3... I feel you if you're saying Leon Washington is the crown prince in waiting for B-West's multi-purpose back throne. And he is a force in the return game. "That Green Bay game last season was a joke"... Too true. Although that game was Andy Reid's fault. You can't put a guy (J.R. Reed) who'd never returned a punt in a live game back there in that critical a juncture. They cut Mahe and Bloom, two poor punt returner options, before the season started and then refused to put Westbrook back there to at least fair catch the ball. After that game I got genuine joy every time B-West went back to cover a punt. Remember the Seattle game -- his return put them in position to win... until Feeley found Tatupu (again). Temple3… I feel you if you’re saying Leon Washington is the crown prince in waiting for B-West’s multi-purpose back throne. And he is a force in the return game.

“That Green Bay game last season was a joke”…

Too true.

Although that game was Andy Reid’s fault. You can’t put a guy (J.R. Reed) who’d never returned a punt in a live game back there in that critical a juncture. They cut Mahe and Bloom, two poor punt returner options, before the season started and then refused to put Westbrook back there to at least fair catch the ball.

After that game I got genuine joy every time B-West went back to cover a punt. Remember the Seattle game — his return put them in position to win… until Feeley found Tatupu (again).

]]> By: thebrotherreport http://thestartingfive.net/2008/07/28/philadelphia-eagles-training-camp-2008-the-runningbacks/#comment-14336 thebrotherreport Tue, 29 Jul 2008 18:35:33 +0000 http://thestartingfive.net/?p=1300#comment-14336 Agreed, I looked at his carries and that is one hell of a workload for 7 years and not suffer any significant injuries (see Jamal Anderson). I cringe when he goes back to return a punt, but they were so awful last season someone needed to give them a boost. I always said that they should have someone scout HBCUs ONLY for all postions but mainly for a return guy. I know there's a kid out there that can return a damn kickoff or field a punt. That Green Bay game last season was a joke. Agreed, I looked at his carries and that is one hell of a workload for 7 years and not suffer any significant injuries (see Jamal Anderson).

I cringe when he goes back to return a punt, but they were so awful last season someone needed to give them a boost.

I always said that they should have someone scout HBCUs ONLY for all postions but mainly for a return guy. I know there’s a kid out there that can return a damn kickoff or field a punt. That Green Bay game last season was a joke.

]]> By: Temple3 http://thestartingfive.net/2008/07/28/philadelphia-eagles-training-camp-2008-the-runningbacks/#comment-14335 Temple3 Tue, 29 Jul 2008 18:07:51 +0000 http://thestartingfive.net/?p=1300#comment-14335 BMI: No question on Leon Washington. That's why I put his name in there. He's a nice runner (not in Westbrook's league right now - who know's down the road). Washington, though, is a lethal game changer on special teams. Westbrook is the real deal - no question. TBR: I agree about Westbrook on special teams - but he's too valuable to the team to use regularly back there. He has no kickoff returns over the past 4 years and only 19 punts (in 4 years). The risk of losing him back there is simply too great. Also, I wouldn't hold the decline in catches against LT. First off, 60 is an awful lot of catches. And, it is worth mentioning that the year before the '100,' LT had 79. Besides, guess who's first two FULL seasons in the league happened right after that 100 season? Antonio Gates. Throw in the emergence of their large, over-sized receivers (Floyd, etc.) and a QB change -- and the decline makes perfect sense. I largely agree with you about Tomlinson's longevity - but I can't say definitely. It's really amazing that he's done what he's done for so long. I can't imagine another year or two like the last 7...it would be unprecedented in the history of the league. BMI:

No question on Leon Washington. That’s why I put his name in there. He’s a nice runner (not in Westbrook’s league right now - who know’s down the road). Washington, though, is a lethal game changer on special teams.

Westbrook is the real deal - no question.

TBR:

I agree about Westbrook on special teams - but he’s too valuable to the team to use regularly back there. He has no kickoff returns over the past 4 years and only 19 punts (in 4 years). The risk of losing him back there is simply too great.

Also, I wouldn’t hold the decline in catches against LT. First off, 60 is an awful lot of catches. And, it is worth mentioning that the year before the ‘100,’ LT had 79. Besides, guess who’s first two FULL seasons in the league happened right after that 100 season? Antonio Gates. Throw in the emergence of their large, over-sized receivers (Floyd, etc.) and a QB change — and the decline makes perfect sense.

I largely agree with you about Tomlinson’s longevity - but I can’t say definitely. It’s really amazing that he’s done what he’s done for so long. I can’t imagine another year or two like the last 7…it would be unprecedented in the history of the league.

]]> By: thebrotherreport http://thestartingfive.net/2008/07/28/philadelphia-eagles-training-camp-2008-the-runningbacks/#comment-14334 thebrotherreport Tue, 29 Jul 2008 17:36:23 +0000 http://thestartingfive.net/?p=1300#comment-14334 He (L.T.) may be a better ballplayer than Westbrook, I'm cool with that but for me Westbrook can hurt you in the special teams game even though that load has been reduced greatly. I'm not knockin' L.T. in the slightest but I will say his best days are behind him and that doesn't mean a decline this season or even next. He will plateau from here on out. In regards to that 100 catch season, his next best after that was 60 last season. As far as Westbrook not being this or that, I just don't buy into it. He (L.T.) may be a better ballplayer than Westbrook, I’m cool with that but for me Westbrook can hurt you in the special teams game even though that load has been reduced greatly. I’m not knockin’ L.T. in the slightest but I will say his best days are behind him and that doesn’t mean a decline this season or even next. He will plateau from here on out.

In regards to that 100 catch season, his next best after that was 60 last season.

As far as Westbrook not being this or that, I just don’t buy into it.

]]> By: MKRob http://thestartingfive.net/2008/07/28/philadelphia-eagles-training-camp-2008-the-runningbacks/#comment-14332 MKRob Tue, 29 Jul 2008 16:38:15 +0000 http://thestartingfive.net/?p=1300#comment-14332 Brian Westbrook is the best all around back in the NFL. The Eagles need to find a way to trade some of these guys and get another wide receiver for Donovan to throw to. Brian Westbrook is the best all around back in the NFL.
The Eagles need to find a way to trade some of these guys and get another wide receiver for Donovan to throw to.

]]> By: Black Market Index http://thestartingfive.net/2008/07/28/philadelphia-eagles-training-camp-2008-the-runningbacks/#comment-14331 Black Market Index Tue, 29 Jul 2008 16:29:27 +0000 http://thestartingfive.net/?p=1300#comment-14331 Temple3, Westbrook is special, but Marshall Faulk is the gold standard. The comparisons to Barber and Holmes are valid, and barring injury I'd expect B-West to have a similar career (two to three more 1000+ yard seasons). But, Leon Washington? Really? That's just the stats lying. Temple3,

Westbrook is special, but Marshall Faulk is the gold standard.

The comparisons to Barber and Holmes are valid, and barring injury I’d expect B-West to have a similar career (two to three more 1000+ yard seasons). But, Leon Washington? Really? That’s just the stats lying.

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