"I think as the season goes on, I will get those opportunities, and when I do, I think I will show people that I can still play," Westbrook said. "I think I can carry the load. I think I have the ability to go out there and touch the ball 20, 25 times a game. I haven't had the opportunity yet, so really, you don't know for sure, 110 percent, until you have that opportunity."
The Eagles have been using a mostly equal running back rotation with Westbrook and LeSean McCoy since Westbrook returned from an ankle injury two weeks ago. But McCoy fumbled against the Raiders and showed some of his inexperience when he blew a blitz pickup in the first half.
Westbrook has tutored McCoy on the fine art of holding on to the damn ball.
"I've talked a lot to LeSean about ball-security," Westbrook said. "I was told early on in my career that if you don't secure the ball, you won't be playing a lot. I think he understands that."
McCoy admits he needs to change his running style -- he swings the ball a lot.
The crowded backfield is ultimately a good problem for Andy Reid to have. McCoy has looked like a quality backup when he's had some room to maneuver and has been the quarterback in the team's Wildcat formation occasionally.
Even better, Westbrook looked like his old self last week when he piled up 141 yards from scrimmage against the Raiders on only 15 touches, showing his usual explosive quickness and vision. Those touches, however, only included six carries for Westbrook, and five for McCoy.
Just Andy being Andy.
Haha good luck Westbrook.
First of all why would he want to run the ball more? Every time he runs the ball the dude gets hurt.
Andy Reid and Mike Martz are the most over rated coaches in(out of) the NFL.
They are addicted to passing the ball even when it is painfully obvious that they need to pound the rock more.
Reid should be fired as Martz was.
They need to drop this 'Spread Eagle' bullshit. The wildcat doesn't work for every team, just like a WCO, a power run game, whatever, doesn't work for every team. Its all in your personel and the Eagles just don't have the personel for the spread option. It also doesn't work for the Eagles because they NEVER pass out of the formation. Once you see not-McNabb under center, you KNOW its run, so you can just bring your safeties down in the box and run blitz.
Well if Westbrook wasnt so Injury Prone... Things might be different.!!!!!
20 to 25 times a game?....Did he really think that is feasible?...That would involve Reid actually focusing on the run, and not using his RB's as blitz blockers and checkdown options...That simply doesn't happen here in PassHappyLand....But ya gotta give B-West credit, although he gets nicked frequently, he a keen sense of football awareness, like knowing when you are out of timeouts....etc.....The reason he isn't used more, is beacuse Reid has to do a better job of coaching......yawn
OMG, why in the world would a running back want to run the ball more?! I cannot imagine how or why they would, I mean its not like thats what they do or are getting paid to do.
How is this a story? All running backs want to run the ball, its what they do and what they want to do for crap's sake.
Westbrook said 20-25 touches, not carries. If you take into account the receiving game, Westbrook probably does need to touch the ball 20-25 times a game.
Well, the good news for Westbrook is this week he doesn't have to try and run at Seymour, Warren, Kelly and Ellis. As for his 141 yds, 76 of those yards came off two plays, so it isn't like his play helped sustain drive after drive for the Eagles last week. So, I suspect he will get more carries this week against a DL he'll be more successful against.
Has anyone mentioned the fact that the O-Line is in shambles and maybe that's why The Eagles can't establish the run?
A few more carries for him & McCoy and the Raiders lost last week.
Westbrook talking to Andy Reid about the game "Hello? Hello? Anybody home? Huh? Think, McFly. Think!
GO PHILLIES!!!! WOOO HOOO!!!
JohnnyH:
They O-Line isn't taught to run block, either, so even healthy they won't be very good at running the ball, just merely 'adequate'.
Problem #2 is, they only have 2 scat backs that they'll use. They have Eldra Buckley, who looked like a pretty beastly Marion Barber type runner in pre-season, and they have a former pro-bowl fullback in Leonard Weaver, who outran a linebacker the week before like he was going backwards. Why do you FORCE yourself to use screen pass and outside running when you HAVE the personell to run inside?
"The Oline is in shambles, that's why The Eagles can't establish the run." (there ya go: just mentioned it).
As for Westy's two runs, well you can't take that away, first, and second, he only got the ball 6 times so it's not as if they gave him a chance to sustain anything.
As for injuries, he's actually remarkably durable, missing 4 games in the past 3 seasons. Obviously, you'd like him to not miss any, but given his involvement within the offense over the past several years he's held up pretty good.
@ Watson11101
No they wouldn't.
Westbrook might be the most misused back in NFL history......to Reid the run is just something that happens when the pass is not availble,........And who the hell is it that mentinoned Eldra Buckley........are you for real?
EskinSux:
Yeah, I'm for real. How much have you SEEN him to know? In pre-season he looked like a beast, and he's consistently been to the other end first on kickoffs. Give the guy a chance at least.
seriously - quit it with this Eldra Buckley talk. You are delusional. Maybe the Eagles should hire all of you as coaches and players and then you can show everyone whats wrong with the team. It sounds like everyone has the answers.