Brian Westbrook Possibly Out Until Week One
 

[url=http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=4228976]Agent: Philadelphia Eagles RB Brian Westbrook to undergo surgery - ESPN[/url]

This could have an impact on the '09 media darlings and saviors of the world.

Re: Brian Westbrook Possibly Out Until Week One
 

The Iggles have been pretty lucky with the health of both McNabb and Westbrook. This could be huge, since Westbrook is very important to their offense. Iggles fans better hope that both McNabb and Westbrook can stay healthy now that the team has finally brought in starting caliber wideouts.

Re: Brian Westbrook Possibly Out Until Week One
 

The Eagles finally took some measure to mitigate the inevitable yearly injury to Westbrook by drafting McCoy

Re: Brian Westbrook Possibly Out Until Week One
 

I have to say ...offensively the Eagles look pretty damn sweet this year. They drafted a very nice complement/backup to Westbrook this year in Mccoy. Their WR's look strong and deep as well and still have cap room to add another top WR if really necessary. Defensively they always bring it and I must assume not much will change there. So im sure that they could survive a few weeks without Westbrook. To me they are the team to beat in the NFC.

Re: Brian Westbrook Possibly Out Until Week One
 

I would be real worried if the Eagles hadn't addressed the position in the draft and I think they got a good one in McCoy(kind of a Westbrook mold),but bigger at 5`10 216.

Not to mention they added a good FB in Weaver.

Re: Brian Westbrook Possibly Out Until Week One
 

Westbrook is probably going to don the injury-prone tag from here on out, which takes his value from godly to merely excellent. But the Eagles seem way more prepared to weather a Westbrook injury than we are to handle Portis missing time.

[quote=Ruhskins;561420]The Iggles have been pretty lucky with the health of both McNabb and Westbrook. This could be huge, since Westbrook is very important to their offense. Iggles fans better hope that both McNabb and Westbrook can stay healthy now that the team has finally brought in starting caliber wideouts.[/quote]I don't know if I'd say they've been lucky, when he missed time last year, they were losing games despite having a top three defense. McNabb was simply unable to pick up the slack. Then he got healthy and the team was great for two months.

Re: Brian Westbrook Possibly Out Until Week One
 

[quote=SmootSmack;561429]The Eagles finally took some measure to mitigate the inevitable yearly injury to Westbrook by drafting McCoy[/quote]

Exactly what I was thinking. With Cornelius Ingram, McCoy, and Maclin joining an offense with Kevin Curtis, Deshean Jackson, and McNabb, I think Westbrook is going to have significantly less pressure on him. Plus he won't have as many touches with which to get injured. I think Philly has as good a chance as they've ever had to win it's first SuperBowl this year.

Re: Brian Westbrook Possibly Out Until Week One
 

[quote=pick-ups;561434]I would be real worried if the Eagles hadn't addressed the position in the draft and I think they got a good one in McCoy(kind of a Westbrook mold),but bigger at 5`10 216.

Not to mention they added a good FB in Weaver.[/quote]

I haven't seen many Eagles fans on here before...its good to get your insight.

Re: Brian Westbrook Possibly Out Until Week One
 

A classic case of "if it ain't one damn thing it's another."

Re: Brian Westbrook Possibly Out Until Week One
 

[quote=GMScud;561439]Exactly what I was thinking. With Cornelius Ingram, McCoy, and Maclin joining an offense with Kevin Curtis, Deshean Jackson, and McNabb, I think Westbrook is going to have significantly less pressure on him. Plus he won't have as many touches with which to get injured. I think Philly has as good a chance as they've ever had to win it's first SuperBowl this year.[/quote]

Slow down. Isn't McNabb due to miss a season? They have definitely improved but their two best players have always been hurt. If the Eagles make the playoffs and Westbrook and McNabb are still standing then I might agree with you. Also, is Jim Johnson going to be able to coach this year? You can't tell me that defense is as effective minus Dawkins and their mastermind.

Re: Brian Westbrook Possibly Out Until Week One
 

[quote=Pocket$ $traight;561456]Slow down. Isn't McNabb due to miss a season? They have definitely improved but their two best players have always been hurt. If the Eagles make the playoffs and Westbrook and McNabb are still standing then I might agree with you. Also, is Jim Johnson going to be able to coach this year? You can't tell me that defense is as effective minus Dawkins and their mastermind.[/quote]

I'm not sure about Jim Johnson's status for the season, but they aren't going to change on defense regardless. I'm not discounting his presence on the sideline, but their philosophy isn't going to change.

Yeah, McNabb has had injury issues, but I'm working off the assumption that he'll play most if not all of their games. Remember, on their offensive line they ditched old Tra Thomas and old John Runyan and replaced them with Levi Jones and Jason Peters. Definitely upgrades.

They were in the NFC Championship game without the upgraded O-line and the previously mentioned RB/WR upgrades. I don't really see how they won't be better, as much as it sickens me.

Re: Brian Westbrook Possibly Out Until Week One
 

[quote=GMScud;561457]Yeah, McNabb has had injury issues, but I'm working off the assumption that he'll play most if not all of their games. Remember, on their offensive line they ditched old Tra Thomas and old John Runyan and replaced them with [B]Levi Jones[/B] and Jason Peters. Definitely upgrades.[/quote]

U must mean Stacy Andrews?

Re: Brian Westbrook Possibly Out Until Week One
 

This is the NFC East ,Brian Westbrook has played with worse ,he'll be there opening day!

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I don't see this as a huge deal. Wesbrook is always nursing some sort of injury and misses most practices during the week, then tears it up on game day.

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I'm still not sold on the Eagles; should I be? I really am not scared of their WRs, when they match up with our DBs. Westbrook is truly all that scares me, and if we attack him first and force McNabb to go deep and vertical he will make mistakes.

I know this is random, and in the wrong thread, but I truly think the NFC East is closer than most feel. Dallas' line is as old as ours and they just lost the best receiver in the division. Their D still has to prove, and Romo still has had several big game chokes. NY has lost Amani and Plax, which are big holes and their DBs have been suspect; still have a great Dline thought. Philly has a good line, but again not sold on the WRs quite yet(minus Jackson).

All in all I don't see a clear winner.

Re: Brian Westbrook Possibly Out Until Week One
 

Philly has made some nice improvements to their WR corps and with Jackson in year #2 they should be very solid. Not sure I would say their WRs scare me either, but they should be good.

Re: Brian Westbrook Possibly Out Until Week One
 

Redskins
Eagles
Giants
Dallas

Seasons done lets move on. lol. with my rose colored glasses the Redskins kept all their major pieces and added a couple more. Thomas, Kelly, and Davis will step up big to provide the offensive threats we needed. Plus having a change of pace back will keep teams on their toes. Defensively we will be a monster.

Eagles always find a way to screw up their season. McNabb will get hurt, or Westbrook will be out half the season. Only one threat at WR (Jackson). A secondary that always allows teams the big play.

I see the Giants faltering this yr. They lost a decent RB and two WR's. Secondary also gives up the big play.

I think Dallas lost too many pieces. Offensivly they lost their only big threat that teams had to account and adjust for. Now teams will play them like every other team. Defensivly they have holes to fill. Maybe back ups will step right up and do better but I see a learning curve. Wade Phillips....nough said. lol. Every team he's had has gone down hill instead of uphill when he took over. Excellent co-ordinator...terrible HC.

Re: Brian Westbrook Possibly Out Until Week One
 

[quote=SBXVII;561502]Redskins
Eagles
Giants
Dallas

Seasons done lets move on. lol. with my rose colored glasses the Redskins kept all their major pieces and added a couple more. Thomas, Kelly, and Davis will step up big to provide the offensive threats we needed. Plus having a change of pace back will keep teams on their toes. Defensively we will be a monster.

Eagles always find a way to screw up their season. McNabb will get hurt, or Westbrook will be out half the season. Only one threat at WR (Jackson). A secondary that always allows teams the big play.

I see the Giants faltering this yr. They lost a decent RB and two WR's. Secondary also gives up the big play.

I think Dallas lost too many pieces. Offensivly they lost their only big threat that teams had to account and adjust for. Now teams will play them like every other team. Defensivly they have holes to fill. Maybe back ups will step right up and do better but I see a learning curve. Wade Phillips....nough said. lol. Every team he's had has gone down hill instead of uphill when he took over. Excellent co-ordinator...terrible HC.[/quote]

The cowpokes D should be fine. They lost canty but got olivarshky (sp?) from the chargers to replace him. They lost burnett & traded Henry, who is old.

Re: Brian Westbrook Possibly Out Until Week One
 

[quote=freddyg12;561503]The cowpokes D should be fine. They lost canty but got olivarshky (sp?) from the chargers to replace him. They lost burnett & traded Henry, who is old.[/quote]

They lost atleast 3 on Defense; DE, CB, Safety and atleast 1 on offense WR. I still say Romo has issues and Wade Phillips is horrible.

Also I'm not saying that the Skins are going to be like 12-4 and everyone else is going to be 9-7, 7-9, 5-11. I think all 4 teams will be relatively close in numbers and it will be a battle. We will continue to beat each other up. I just think the Skins with the few additions and few subtractions a long with being in the same offense a second yr will be better then most people think. The Giants won't stay on top forever and this is the yr I predict they fall. Dallas had their moment to shine and blew it. I see them on the decline. That leaves the Eagles and Redskins. Flip a coin whatever but I see these two last yr bottom feeders rising to the top. I think the Skins have more weapons so long as they pan out which is why I put the Skins at the top.

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[quote=hooskins;561488]I'm still not sold on the Eagles; should I be? I really am not scared of their WRs, when they match up with our DBs. Westbrook is truly all that scares me, and if we attack him first and force McNabb to go deep and vertical he will make mistakes.

I know this is random, and in the wrong thread, but I truly think the NFC East is closer than most feel. Dallas' line is as old as ours and they just lost the best receiver in the division. Their D still has to prove, and Romo still has had several big game chokes. NY has lost Amani and Plax, which are big holes and their DBs have been suspect; still have a great Dline thought. Philly has a good line, but again not sold on the WRs quite yet(minus Jackson).

[B]All in all I don't see a clear winner[/B].[/quote]

I agree. I think our chances are as good this year as they've been in years to win the division.

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We have a good chance to win the division. The lowest I see us finishing is 3rd ahead of Dallas. Us, the Giants, and the Eagles are toss-ups in my mind.

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[quote=GridIron26;561458]U must mean Stacy Andrews?[/quote]

Yeah. Andrews. That's what I get for posting at 12:44am.

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[quote=vallin21;561518]We have a good chance to win the division. The lowest I see us finishing is 3rd ahead of Dallas. Us, the Giants, and the Eagles are toss-ups in my mind.[/quote]
Yeah,as I've mentioned before and thats that I wouldn't be surprised in the least if any of the teams in the NFC East won the division this season.

Last year everyone already had the Cowboys in the SB with the Giants in the division as their only competition and what happens,the Eagles pound both of them and are the last team standing out of the division.

The same division where the team that finished last(Redskins)in the division was the only team to sweep the Eagles.(go figure)

Its all about staying healthy and getting hot at the right time.

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[quote=Giantone;561459]This is the NFC East ,Brian Westbrook has played with worse ,he'll be there opening day![/quote]

Agreed. The dude is an animal.

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I just seen the surgery that Westbrook is requiring is generally a 6-8 week recovery time(training camp starts in 8 weeks)so I think that things will work out.

Its the off-season and any news can be blown out of proportion.

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Oh no, my favorite Eagles player is out for the pre-season. No no no!

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Sounds like he waited to time this thing so he could sit out until the season begins and its not like he really needs all the reps. I bet money that he kind of shows up around week 4 of preason takes a few snaps and gets in a few days of practice. I think if anything this will give him even more time to rest given that he is no spring chicken.

Re: Brian Westbrook Possibly Out Until Week One
 

Westbrook have won me 2 FF league titles last year and he always seems banged up. I'm not too concerned, not unless they amputated his right leg though.

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Saw this on PFT. Wouldn't surprise me if Eagles are attempting to downplay the severity.

[url=http://www.profootballtalk.com/2009/06/04/report-westbrook-surgery-more-serious-than-suggested/]ProFootballTalk.com - Report: Westbrook Surgery More Serious Than Suggested[/url]

Re: Brian Westbrook Possibly Out Until Week One
 

[quote=GMScud;561616]Saw this on PFT. Wouldn't surprise me if Eagles are attempting to downplay the severity.

[url=http://www.profootballtalk.com/2009/06/04/report-westbrook-surgery-more-serious-than-suggested/]ProFootballTalk.com - Report: Westbrook Surgery More Serious Than Suggested[/url][/quote]

I read some of the comments to this Florio article, some Iggles fan are saying that Florio is exaggerating the situation (welcome to the world of a Redskins fans). If this were Clinton Portis, Florio would probably be calling this a season-ending injury.

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Did the Eagles know about the surgery before? I do cannot grasp the concept of letting go of Buckhalter, and drafting a RB, then sending your workhorse off to surgery. A two back system is the NFL of today, but when you have an injury prone RB such as Westbrook, wouldn't it make more sense to have a reliable, proven backup and then maybe a rookie just in case?

Re: Brian Westbrook Possibly Out Until Week One
 

[quote=Mattyk72;561482]I don't see this as a huge deal. Wesbrook is always nursing some sort of injury and misses most practices during the week, then tears it up on game day.[/quote]

Well, on about 12/16 of the game days. :D.

Re: Brian Westbrook Possibly Out Until Week One
 

Pro athletes have access to the best doctors & as fans we've grown accustomed to hearing a timetable for a player's return, and 90% of the time, those projections are pretty accurate. Sometimes though, these things can't be predicted as easily as we'd like.

Is it a big deal if it's 9-10 weeks instead of 6-8? I actually don't think so, in fact it might be a blessing in disguise if he comes back fully healed later in the season as that increases the chance he'll be playing in Dec.

I don't think it was a big deal for buckhalter to leave either. He's an avg. back & the rookie should be an upgrade once he learns their pass pro scheme.

This is an interesting year for the Iggles. They made some moves that indicate they want to win now, yet they didn't go after a vet wr & instead drafted Maclin. Since Reid & McNabb have been there, you can never truly count them out. I've been waiting for a turning point w/them when they'll fall & have to rebuild, but aside from a couple off years it really hasn't happened. I don't know if they'll be in the playoffs, but I would bet they'll beat some div. teams including the skins.

Re: Brian Westbrook Possibly Out Until Week One
 

[quote=Stuck in TX;561881]Did the Eagles know about the surgery before?[B] I do cannot grasp the concept of letting go of Buckhalter,[/B] and drafting a RB, then sending your workhorse off to surgery. A two back system is the NFL of today, but when you have an injury prone RB such as Westbrook, wouldn't it make more sense to have a reliable, proven backup and then maybe a rookie just in case?[/quote]

Buckhalter reliable? With all the injuries he's had, it's a miracle he's still in the league really. They have Lorenzo Booker who is younger and healthy, and now they add a lightning bolt in Lesean McCoy. I think these are solid moves. Buckhalter is on two surgically repaired knees and turns 30 this year. He's been ok the past few seasons and probably has some gas left in the tank, but they are smart for getting younger.

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[quote=GMScud;562360]Buckhalter reliable? [B]With all the injuries he's had, it's a miracle he's still in the league really.[/B] They have Lorenzo Booker who is younger and healthy, and now they add a lightning bolt in Lesean McCoy. I think these are solid moves. Buckhalter is on two surgically repaired knees and turns 30 this year. He's been ok the past few seasons and probably has some gas left in the tank, but they are smart for getting younger.[/quote]

Which is likely why Denver signed him, they love fragile RBs.

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[quote=Buster;562927]Which is likely why Denver signed him, they love fragile RBs.[/quote]

But they have a phenomenal line... Booker and McCoy are just too inexperienced for me to be able to sleep at night (if I was an Eagles fan that is). Two fragile backs who know how to get the job done are better than one fragile back who will inevitably get hurt and the reins will be handed to a young guy who is not proven. Westbrook goes down and for at least the rest of the game they have Buckhalter to carry the weight without losing much steam. I don't know, perhaps I am a little more old school when it comes to RB. I feel very good with our corps. CP can carry a game, and we know Betts can too. Rock can do a decent job, and can at least get us a few yards when we need it on whatever and short.

[quote=GMScud;562360]Buckhalter reliable? With all the injuries he's had, it's a miracle he's still in the league really. They have Lorenzo Booker who is younger and healthy, and now they add a lightning bolt in Lesean McCoy.[B] I think these are solid moves.[/B] Buckhalter is on two surgically repaired knees and turns 30 this year. He's been ok the past few seasons and probably has some gas left in the tank, but they are smart for getting younger.[/quote]

I agree 100%, I just would have waited until Booker and McCoy were a bit more proven before letting Buckhalter go.