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A Closer Look: Lorenzo Booker

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On day one of the 2008 NFL Draft, the Eagles traded a 4th round pick to the Miami Dolphins for the Dolphins 2007 3rd round pick Lorenzo Booker.

Andy Reid said at his post draft press conference that he sees Lorenzo Booker as basically another draft pick. Considering Booker is just a second year player, Andy makes some sense. Reid also revealed that they really liked Booker in last year's draft and tried to move up in the third round to get him, but couldn't work out a deal. Miami ended up picking the Florida State product Booker and the Eagles grabbed Tony Hunt out of Penn State. This year he called up Bill Parcells to ask about him and they worked out a deal.

Booker didn't end up playing very much last year, so frankly it's fair to look at him like a new draft pick. His scouting reports out of college read much like Brian Westbrook's did. He's a smaller, quick, elusive back that loves to catch the ball out of the backfield. Take a look at this play to see some of his impressive moves . He's also a pretty good kick return man. For those counting, Booker makes 3 return men the Eagles have acquired on draft weekend

It looks to me like Booker is here to be the Westbrook clone that Ryan Moats was never able to become. Scouting report from Yahoo sports

The good: A shifty scatback who was one of the better playmakers in the ACC. Has a quick burst through the hole with the speed to get to the second level and outrun defenders. He is a quality return specialist who may get opportunities in that role. Capable of being an immediate playmaker as a third-down back. As a senior, he rushed for 616 yards and four TDs on 143 carries. He also caught 33 passes for 420 yards. At the Combine, he ran a 4.46 and 4.5 with 26 reps and a 35.5-inch vertical leap.

The bad: Has only marginal strength to break tackles, and it’s uncertain if he has the power to pound inside as a pro feature back. As a blocker, he must show the toughness to contain linebackers.

Outlook: Explosive, versatile playmaker who never realized his full potential at FSU because of splitting playing time and nagging injuries. Has the skills to be a fine playmaker in a pro offense and a full-time starter if he answers the durability issues. Marginal top-50 prospect with the ability to be a major surprise early in his career. Should be picked in the second or third round.

I also talked with Matt of the great Dolphins blog, The Phinsider, who was very surprised by the trade.

The trade initially shocked me.  I remember Tony Sparano saying not too long ago how Lorenzo Booker "jumped off the tape" when you watch film of last year.  But I guess picking up a 4th round pick was important to Miami and Booker isn't really a "Bill Parcells" kind of running back.

With that said, I think you will really like the kind of player Booker is.  He's very fast, but is even more elusive and agile then he is fast.  And he's got terrific hands out of the backfield.  He's not going to run between the tackles often, but he can be a very good return guy and a very shifty receiving back out of the backfield.  And I sincerely do with him the best of luck.  He seemed like a very good kid.

So Booker makes for a very interesting acquisition. The best part is that he should be able to have an impact right away. When Westbrook needs a breather, they can bring in Booker who plays the same way as Westbrook. He's obviously not as good as Westbrook overall, but it's a "like for like" substitution. When the Eagles would bring in Buckhalter or Hunt, they couldn't ask those guys to do the same things as they ask Westbrook to do. That will not be the case with Booker

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Interesting Post

That gives us five running backs by my count: Westbrook, Buckhalter, Hunt, Moats and now Booker. How does this shake out? I imagine we’ll only keep 3 on the roster so two of the five probably won’t be here. Moats is obviously a long shot. But who would the other be? Would they be willing to go with youth behind Westbrook and drop Buckhalter? Would they be willing to get rid of Hunt or Booker who are both so young? Intriguing…

by ajay on Apr 27, 2008 8:46 PM EDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Moats is long gone. I guess the other spot comes down to Buck vs Hunt. It would be pretty disappointing to see last year’s 3rd round pick get cut.

by JasonB on Apr 27, 2008 8:52 PM EDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

That’s what I’m thinking. This could be the end of Buckhalter. I wonder if they’ll try to trade him – but I doubt there’d be much interest given his injury history.

by ajay on Apr 27, 2008 9:51 PM EDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Perhaps Hunt to FB/HB hybrid?

Klecko as an FB/TE hybrid? I can’t see them cutting Tony…

by Alon on Apr 27, 2008 9:48 PM EDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Drop Moats and keep 4 backs. Moats would have been gone had he not gotten hurt. Booker can return kicks and give Westbrook a breather here and there. Odds are Booker’s not going to be used a whole lot on offense his first year here. And yes Hunt as a hybrid FB is a great idea if he can pull it off.

by BMY on Apr 27, 2008 10:36 PM EDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

I actually think Booker will play

Andy really seems to love the idea of being able to spell Westy with a westy clone. Hunt will be used for different situations rather than a true “backup.”

For the past couple years Buckhalter has been the backup for when Westbrook needs a breather or gets banged up… but he’s a completely different runner. The team has to change the way it plays and Andy has to adjust his playcalling/gameplan. With Booker, they won’t have to do that. I doubt he’ll be nearly as effective as Westbrook, but he doesn’t really have to be.

PLus, Booker is a second year player. He should be ready to play.

by JasonB on Apr 28, 2008 9:30 AM EDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

we knew

that moats would be gone last year. Buckhalter was very solid last year as well….Im thinking Hunt is the odd man out.

by Joe_D on Apr 27, 2008 11:41 PM EDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

problem is hunt is not a good blocker so i can’t see him becoming is fb/tb unless he dedicates himself into becoming a legitimate blocker.

by ringordietryin on Apr 28, 2008 12:08 AM EDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

i wish i could fix grammatical errors after posting a message…

by ringordietryin on Apr 28, 2008 12:09 AM EDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Why not have 4 backs … B-West, Buck, Hunt, Booker. They had 4 last year B-West, Buck, Hunt, Mahe(Moats). It’s not strange for the Eagles to have 4 backs on the depth chart.

by Whodie126 on Apr 28, 2008 8:46 AM EDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

It's a numbers game

We loaded up on pass rushers in this draft and chances are that most of those guys will stay. We have extra players in the secondary, developmental guys on the offensive line… Is it worth keeping another RB on board?’

At least Mahe had a role as the return man. If Desean Jackson returns kicks and punts… then there won’t be room for a 4th RB. I think it’s Buck vs Hunt for the last spot.

by JasonB on Apr 28, 2008 9:27 AM EDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

True

It’s still possible, there is a chance that Booker returns as well. One thing is for sure if you get a chance to look at the Eagles roster not only is it exciting there will be some great pre-season battles for roster spots, there is serious competition at every position.

by Whodie126 on Apr 28, 2008 10:24 AM EDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Yeah, Booker should get a chance to return kickoffs. Both he and Demps have done that. Jackson has not, but the Eagles said they will give him a shot at it.

by JasonB on Apr 28, 2008 10:56 AM EDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

I’d like to see Booker and Jackson returning kicks. I’m glad they got somebody to return punts so I never have to see Reno Mahe again. He should have never been in the league…..ever

by pooch900 on Apr 28, 2008 1:15 PM EDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

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