5 reasons...

[General_Failure]

If they had a fullback that could block and run the ball once or twice a game for positive yards Westbrook would be a little closer to uncontainable. And if that same hypothetical fullback could catch I'd soil myself in glee and some spunk.

[phattymatty]

we had a fullback like that.

then we cut him.

[Rome]

My point, Mr. Sensitive, is that Westbrook is a two trick pony. He's outstanding as a receiver and well above average outside the tackles, but he's far from uncontainable. In fact, he's an injury-plagued mess who can't do what even the most mediocre backs can do, pick up 2 yards when the team needs 1.

He can't run between the tackles?

Oh, I see... maybe the reason he can't run between the tackles is because the Eagles interior linemen farging suck ass?

Nah, that couldn't be it.

[General_Failure]

we had a fullback like that.

then we cut him.

I know. I miss Kevin Turner, too.

[PoopyfaceMcGee]

Why Cecil Martin never made a Pro Bowl is beyond me.

[rjs246]

If they had a fullback that could block and run the ball once or twice a game for positive yards Westbrook would be a little closer to uncontainable. And if that same hypothetical fullback could catch I'd soil myself in glee and some spunk.

This, I agree with.

He can't run between the tackles?

Oh, I see... maybe the reason he can't run between the tackles is because the Eagles interior linemen farging suck ass?

Nah, that couldn't be it.

Are you saying that the Eagles' interior line has been terrible for Westbrook's entire career? That year after year, while Duce and Buck were running for positive yardage between the tackles, that Westbrook was subjected to poor blocking? Give me a break.

[SunMo]

Westbrook isn't a great inside runner, that's not really debatable.  a good inside runner has to have the ability to hit the hole immediately, if you watch Westbrook, he almost always tries to make a move or two and pick his way through the line.  this is why they need the "big back" everyone talks about. 

but Westbrook not being a great inside runner isn't a horrible thing, the coach just has to use him correctly.  Westbrook should get screens, pitches, sweeps, and quick traps.  when they need 1 or 2 yards, they need to have a tough inside runner to follow a competent fullback and pick it up.  who's fault is it when Westbrook has trouble picking up 2 tough yards, his own fault, or the coaches for trying to run that play with him?

[rjs246]

but Westbrook not being a great inside runner isn't a horrible thing, the coach just has to use him correctly. Westbrook should get screens, pitches, sweeps, and quick traps. when they need 1 or 2 yards, they need to have a tough inside runner to follow a competent fullback and pick it up. who's fault is it when Westbrook has trouble picking up 2 tough yards, his own fault, or the coaches for trying to run that play with him?

Major problems. MAJOR problems.

[PhillyPhreak54]

I wouldn't write off Westbrook being an inside runner just yet. As previously mentioned it takes some time to see what he can do once they get a commitment to running it and getting a good FB to lead him.

Look at the holes he was getting when Jon Ritchie was blocking for him.

Good FB + commitment to running + Westbrook maturing = potential to run it inside.

[Diomedes]

Westbrook isn't a great inside runner, that's not really debatable.  a good inside runner has to have the ability to hit the hole immediately, if you watch Westbrook, he almost always tries to make a move or two and pick his way through the line.  this is why they need the "big back" everyone talks about. 

but Westbrook not being a great inside runner isn't a horrible thing, the coach just has to use him correctly.  Westbrook should get screens, pitches, sweeps, and quick traps.  when they need 1 or 2 yards, they need to have a tough inside runner to follow a competent fullback and pick it up.  who's fault is it when Westbrook has trouble picking up 2 tough yards, his own fault, or the coaches for trying to run that play with him?

Good post.  If Westbrook dove into the hole instead of getting cute, perhaps he'd be a better inside runner.  If he had a fullback worth his roster spot.  If the coach committed to the run.  If, if, if.

[mussa]

man the media is really taking this season too seriously.  do they realize injuries can make or break a team?  especially when a good number of injured are pro-bowl, mvp type players? man! i agreee we need to make some changes.  most importantly we need to have a back who can pound between the tackles...ala DUCE .  We need to establish a running game so we are not killing our defense.  Those 3 and outs killed us this year, plus all the penalties. 
I think the teams needs to get healthy, regroup mentally, pick-up a few key FA's and maybe trade up for a top 5 pick.  i think this season frankly has been a joke...i think they pretty much gave up and realized they are not half the team without McNabb, and the pieces just fell from there.  i think they will regroup and McNabb is going to come out with a fury to prove all the iceholes wrong and have a hell of a year and get us back to the superbowl.  I am really excited about next year! 

GO fargIN BRIDS!!~!!

[General_Failure]

The defense does a good enough job of killing itself with those early game 7 minute drives it lets up.

[JTrotter Fan]

man the media is really taking this season too seriously.  do they realize injuries can make or break a team?  especially when a good number of injured are pro-bowl, mvp type players? man! i agreee we need to make some changes.  most importantly we need to have a back who can pound between the tackles...ala DUCE .  We need to establish a running game so we are not killing our defense.  Those 3 and outs killed us this year, plus all the penalties. 
I think the teams needs to get healthy, regroup mentally, pick-up a few key FA's and maybe trade up for a top 5 pick.  i think this season frankly has been a joke...i think they pretty much gave up and realized they are not half the team without McNabb, and the pieces just fell from there.  i think they will regroup and McNabb is going to come out with a fury to prove all the iceholes wrong and have a hell of a year and get us back to the superbowl.  I am really excited about next year! 

GO fargIN BRIDS!!~!!

Man...i totally agree.  This BS about the "window nailed shut" is ridiculous.  It's going to be hilarious when every media member predicts them to fall on their face next season again and then have the Eagles go out and put up 13 wins again.  Farg the media!  They are far too bandwagon.

[PhillyPhreak54]

the daily news today published 5 reasons to be optimistic/pessimistic about the future of the birds...discuss....


5 reasons to be pessimistic

1. The defense is in disarray

2. The Donovan McNabb factor

3. Struggles with finding players in the draft

4. Defenses adjusting to Westbrook

5 What about Jevon Kearse?


5 reasons to be optimistic

1 The circus is leaving town

2 The cap situation and free agency

3 The development of Reggie Brown

4 The Super Bowl hangover ends

5 The damage caused by the injury situation

1P. The defense is the thing that needs to be fixed the most. Like mentioned they were relatively healthy this year and they were a terrible disappointment. It all starts up front. If you have zero pressure your secondary is going to be Izell Jenkins'd time after time. So I would agree with this point and I think that most of the plastic surgery this off-season needs to be on this side of the ball.

2P. This one should be in the optimistic category. I know there are a ton of McNabb haters out there and I'm not saying he doesn't deserve some heat because he does. But the level of criticism he is getting is unwarranted and ridiculous. Every QB in the NFL has his flaws, but McNabb's are magnified and talked about as if the guy should be a 3rd string guy. I see the "Start McMahon" contingent has shut their mouths lately, eh? Should Donovan catch heat for some dumb decisions? You bet. But he should not be looked as pessimisticly at all.

3P. I do not have the time right now, but I will find the time to do this research. Writers and some fans in Philadelphia like to rip the drafts, but I am going to get out my handy dandy Draft Encyclopedia and compare and contrast the Eagles drafts to the other 31 teams since 1999 and see who has the most guys on their rosters.

4P. Ridiculous. Who wrote this? Les Bowen? No one is adjusting to Westbrook. Les is wrong on this one big time.

5P. Kearse needs help. I also think that he should be moved around more often so offenses cannot scheme against him. Jim Johnson should move him to RDE and joker as well as play him at LDE. Tommy Brasher is likely to retire so maybe a new DL coach will help Kearse see some things to improve upon and make changes in his moves and approaches. When there is a pocket collapsing DT and a competant DE across from him he's a force. I am not giving up on The Freak yet. When Trent Cole was doing his thing did you notice it opened thigs up for Kearse? I did.

1O. This is a good thing. Did you guys read how Reid has now told players to give new players the 3rd degree on how things are done around here? I like that move by Andy.

2O. Always a good thing to have the money to make changes. Not only can they sign players but they can afford to cut deadweight like Mr. Double-Oh 55.

3O. This one should not be underrated. Reggie Brown flourished with Mike McMahon as his QB for christs sake! When he gets another year under his belt and a good QB his level of play will jump ten fold. Who says he cannot be a Chris Chambers/Steve Smith/Chad Johnson type guy. I use those guys because they are all studs who were drafted out of round 1.

4O. I underestimated this big time. I thought it was a myth and just a coincidence that teams struggled after the SB. But Carolina and others have shown that you need a year to regroup.

5O. Reid said early on, and we know this, that you have to be healthy. The amount of injuries this year were abnormal. Get healthy and add to the core players is what I am looking forward to.

[mussa]

I really am getting sick of all the closet cowboys and skins fans around here.  those ugly farging starter jackets are out of style for a reason.  thats when your team was good last.