Post by EagleGene on Jun 20, 2005 7:25:56 GMT -5
Philadelphia Eagles Running Back Breakdown
by Bryce McRae, KFFL
Wednesday June 8, 2005
The Philadelphia Eagles have re-signed restricted free agent RB Brian Westbrook to a one-year contract. Westbrook was expected to sign the one-year deal if he was not offered a long-term contract before training camp, as the tender the Eagles offered him could be reduced if not signed by June 15.
Westbrook is coming off a Pro Bowl season in which he displayed his abilities as one of the best running and receiving threats in the NFL. He recorded 73 receptions for 703 yards while scoring 6 touchdowns. These totals were tops among running backs in the NFL. As a rusher, he improved upon of his second-year totals in yardage but only managed three touchdowns. He rushed for 812 yards on 177 attempts for an average of 4.6 yards per carry.
Westbrook re-joining the Eagles should spell trouble for current Eagles running backs Correll Buckhalter and rookie Ryan Moats. Buckhalter is coming off major knee surgery for the second straight season, and Moats is still learning the offense. Moats has reportedly looked solid in minicamp, but still has a ways to go to have either Buckhalter or Westbrook's grasp of the system.
Westbrook should be the No. 1 starter for the Eagles and should see most of the action. Eagles coach Andy Reid is only two years removed from using the three-headed running attack he used when he had RB Duce Staley to go with Buckhalter and Westbrook; however, each of those running backs had different styles. Westbrook and Moats both are too similar of backs to use at the same time. Moats isn't quite as good of a receiver and is a bit stronger of an inside runner than Westbrook, so he may have some limited, exclusive time. Buckhalter is not as dangerous as Westbrook until you get to goal-line or in short-yardage situations, so Westbrook should get the majority of the carries in the offense.
Westbrook has yet to sign a long-term deal with the Eagles, so they might try out Moats near the end of the season to see whether or not they should sign Westbrook to a long-term deal. Westbrook has never played 16 games in a season, so look for Buckhalter or Moats to get a start later on in the season when the Eagles should be resting him.
From a fantasy standpoint, Buckhalter and Moats will hold little value in a league as neither should get the opportunity to put up big numbers. Moats is a running back similar to Westbrook, so unless Westbrook goes down to injury it is hard to see Moats getting significant playing time. He should get some yardage but nothing of value in your fantasy league and nothing until late in the season. As for Buckhalter, he has been used primarily in short-yardage situations due to his superior size and strength over Westbrook.
Fantasy Value
If you are in a fantasy league where touchdowns are more heavily valued he could be useful as a backup running back; however, that is only if you are desperate. Neither running back is a smart pick-up until the end of the season when one should have a chance to start. However, if your league - like most - covets the position, you may want to take a flier on either or both players in the latter rounds of your draft, especially if you own Westbrook. Insurance is always nice to have, and in fantasy football it can mean the difference between a playoff appearance from your squad and a subsequent winter/spring filled with "if I only drafted his backup!!!"
If you have doubts, just ask fantasy owners who were savvy enough during the 2004 draft to realize Pittsburgh Steelers RB Duce Staley wouldn't hold up for the season and they grabbed RB Jerome Bettis, who was effectively written off prior to the season's start.
View Westbrook as a weaker No. 1 fantasy back, but his value increases significantly in point-per-reception leagues. Buckhalter should be no better than a VERY weak No. 3 running back, given his extensive injury history. Moats should not be drafted quite yet in traditional single-year leagues.
Updated on Thursday, Jun 16, 2005 2:24 pm EDT
by Bryce McRae, KFFL
Wednesday June 8, 2005
The Philadelphia Eagles have re-signed restricted free agent RB Brian Westbrook to a one-year contract. Westbrook was expected to sign the one-year deal if he was not offered a long-term contract before training camp, as the tender the Eagles offered him could be reduced if not signed by June 15.
Westbrook is coming off a Pro Bowl season in which he displayed his abilities as one of the best running and receiving threats in the NFL. He recorded 73 receptions for 703 yards while scoring 6 touchdowns. These totals were tops among running backs in the NFL. As a rusher, he improved upon of his second-year totals in yardage but only managed three touchdowns. He rushed for 812 yards on 177 attempts for an average of 4.6 yards per carry.
Westbrook re-joining the Eagles should spell trouble for current Eagles running backs Correll Buckhalter and rookie Ryan Moats. Buckhalter is coming off major knee surgery for the second straight season, and Moats is still learning the offense. Moats has reportedly looked solid in minicamp, but still has a ways to go to have either Buckhalter or Westbrook's grasp of the system.
Westbrook should be the No. 1 starter for the Eagles and should see most of the action. Eagles coach Andy Reid is only two years removed from using the three-headed running attack he used when he had RB Duce Staley to go with Buckhalter and Westbrook; however, each of those running backs had different styles. Westbrook and Moats both are too similar of backs to use at the same time. Moats isn't quite as good of a receiver and is a bit stronger of an inside runner than Westbrook, so he may have some limited, exclusive time. Buckhalter is not as dangerous as Westbrook until you get to goal-line or in short-yardage situations, so Westbrook should get the majority of the carries in the offense.
Westbrook has yet to sign a long-term deal with the Eagles, so they might try out Moats near the end of the season to see whether or not they should sign Westbrook to a long-term deal. Westbrook has never played 16 games in a season, so look for Buckhalter or Moats to get a start later on in the season when the Eagles should be resting him.
From a fantasy standpoint, Buckhalter and Moats will hold little value in a league as neither should get the opportunity to put up big numbers. Moats is a running back similar to Westbrook, so unless Westbrook goes down to injury it is hard to see Moats getting significant playing time. He should get some yardage but nothing of value in your fantasy league and nothing until late in the season. As for Buckhalter, he has been used primarily in short-yardage situations due to his superior size and strength over Westbrook.
Fantasy Value
If you are in a fantasy league where touchdowns are more heavily valued he could be useful as a backup running back; however, that is only if you are desperate. Neither running back is a smart pick-up until the end of the season when one should have a chance to start. However, if your league - like most - covets the position, you may want to take a flier on either or both players in the latter rounds of your draft, especially if you own Westbrook. Insurance is always nice to have, and in fantasy football it can mean the difference between a playoff appearance from your squad and a subsequent winter/spring filled with "if I only drafted his backup!!!"
If you have doubts, just ask fantasy owners who were savvy enough during the 2004 draft to realize Pittsburgh Steelers RB Duce Staley wouldn't hold up for the season and they grabbed RB Jerome Bettis, who was effectively written off prior to the season's start.
View Westbrook as a weaker No. 1 fantasy back, but his value increases significantly in point-per-reception leagues. Buckhalter should be no better than a VERY weak No. 3 running back, given his extensive injury history. Moats should not be drafted quite yet in traditional single-year leagues.
Updated on Thursday, Jun 16, 2005 2:24 pm EDT