Westbrook's workload will drop
If past offseasons have taught us anything, the screaming headlines of June often look silly by September. So what do we make of the panic in Philadelphia after the Brian Westbrook surgery?
If I was an Eagles fan, I wouldn't be so worried yet. If I was a Westbrook fantasy owner, I would.
Even in a best case scenario (and Rotoworld has confirmed Westbrook should be running in six weeks), this injury hurts Westbrook's value significantly. Let's say Westbrook is fully healthy before Week 1 and looking like his old self. I think these surgeries, combined with Westbrook's struggles late last season, will encourage the Eagles to be extremely cautious with his workload.
This Philadelphia team is hunting big game - a championship. They won't get carried away worrying about Westbrook's contributions in October when they are focused on January. With improved weapons on both sides of the ball, especially offense, they also can be more careful with him.
After 368 touches in 2007, Westbrook dropped to 287 last season. We projected him for 275 in our first magazine, but that number is going to drop. It could be closer to 225, which is line with his averages between 2003-2005. Even if Westbrook plays well, he's unlikely to be a top-15 back with that workload. What's good for the Eagles and Westbrook won't be good for owners.
Comments
I totally disagree :)
The Eagles need to pull out all stops this year and get it done or their fans are going to go sociopathic. It makes no sense to use Westie sparingly with an eye towards the offseason when they're playing in the toughest division in the NFL and they have to win the games to get there. He may not take a rep til the season opener, but I predict it's full bore at that point.
Besides, what else do the Eagles have on offense? He's saved McChunk's butt in more games than I can count. There's Jackson, but he'll probably go through sophomore slump - he seems like a good candidate for that.
Posted by: Irish Lass | June 6, 2009 06:27 PM
I picked Westbrook over Adrian Peterson last year in a 20 team redraft and his big game against the giants in week 14 propelled me to a championship a couple weeks later. So I have a soft spot in my heart for him fantasywise...(certainly cassel and thomas jones played an integral part as well though)
Be that as it may, I haven't done my rankings yet but I'm pretty sure he isn't going to sniff my top 10.
I think he will still be an effective back in 09, but he won't get near 14 touchdowns again and I just can't see him staying healthy long enough to justify a high 2nd round pick.
Posted by: Anonymous | June 7, 2009 06:30 PM
Westbrook can still be drafted but not as a top 5 back. Injury issues aside. You can't rely on him as your #1 back, but as a solid #2 and get McCoy as a backup
Posted by: Pete | June 8, 2009 12:16 PM
Keep in mind that this was the same board that was calling Deangelo Williams washed up last year. Westy may not get the same yards but then again he's never been a high yards guy - you're using him for recepts and TD's and those won't change. Philly will be in the thick of things this year and will still use this guy plenty. If you want to sell him then sell him to me - I'll take him. Not everything Gregg says is gospel and he's wrong as often as right.
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