Westbrook talks run game
by JasonB on Jan 13, 2009 10:46 AM EST
in News
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In the past two games the Eagles haven't run the ball particularly well. Amazingly, Andy has stuck with the run despite that. Still, it would be nice to see the run be effective and there's a debate over why it is.
One reason could certainly be that the Eagles played the best run defense in the NFL two weeks ago and another top 10 run defense(who also happened to be defending champs) this week. In other words, the other guys were just really good.
However, the general consensus seems to be that Westbrook has simply been too injured to be effective. Westbrook disagrees.
"You see the way teams are playing us now . . . they're going to load the box, eight or nine guys. For us, it's encouraging . . . that other people step up and have good games," said Westbrook, who caught just two passes for 10 yards against the Giants. "That's the true mark of a team.
"We faced a very good defense . . . one of the better defensive lines in the league. I think they paid extra attention to me, which allowed opportunities for other players . . . I don't feel injuries have had much to do with my production. I think I'm going out there as healthy as I've been, for the most part [lately]."
Giants' defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuluo made no secret of his intention to key on Westbrook after #36 put up 200 yards of offense on them a month prior. Many times during the game Joe Buck and Troy Aikman repeated Spags' "22 eyes on Westbrook" mantra.
Andy Reid pointed out that even when Buckhalter ran, he had trouble finding holes against the Giants as well.
"Yeah, he can be [effective]," Reid said. He added that Correll Buckhalter, who is healthy, gained only 7 yards on five carries against New York, suggesting the problem had more to do with blocking. "Buck's [numbers] weren't up there where they needed to be either, so we have to go back and do some things. And listen, to their credit, they put an extra guy up in the box. They clearly wanted to take Westbrook out of the game, which I understand after the last game," the 20-14 Eagles win Dec. 7, in which Westbrook accounted for 203 yards from scrimmage. "You have to make the adjustments and utilize what the other team is going to present to you.''
Westbrook says good things are still in store.
"At some point - I told Correll Buckhalter this the other day - we're going to have a breakout game," Westbrook said. "Hopefully it's in these next two games, and then this team will be on a whole 'nother level."
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I saw what they are talking about during the game. I think the Giants and Vikes both game planned to stop 36. I don’t think you can allow alot of rushing yards in a playoff game and still win the game, so I wouldn’t be surprised to see the Cards do it too. Good news is, I think the Eagles have too many playmakers to cover when you have 8 guys worried about 36.
The key to this game is going to be turnovers. We need to not commit them, and pressure Warner enough that he throws the ball into double coverage, hopefully bad enough that fitz can’t make an amazing play. The Cards are in the NFC Championship game because they have caused turnovers and turned them into points. If we don’t let that happen, its going to be a very green day.
by Clyde Simmons on Jan 13, 2009 11:33 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
At the same time, they’ve also done a great job of shutting down two very, very good running games. But you’re right, turnovers are going to be the key.
by wildcatlh on Jan 13, 2009 12:24 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I wouldn’t say the panthers ever committed to the run game against AZ, mainly because of the INTs and the quick whole they were put in.
by Clyde Simmons on Jan 13, 2009 12:27 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
The thing is, they may be taking Westbrook out of the game (except that one play against the Vikings) but McNabb is in the zone and making all his reads and putting it on the numbers for whoever’s open. When he’s doing that, you CAN NOT STOP the Eagles offense.
Destroyer of Subject Lines :3™
by yomjoseki on Jan 13, 2009 12:09 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Westbrook
How dangerous is he, seriously? It’s clear that he’s gimpy and not at full speed. But you still need to account for him on every play because Westbrook at 75% is still better than most RBs in this league. You can use him as a decoy even if he’s not healthy, opening things up for other players. And you’re right yomjoseki, McNabb is really making teams pay for selling out to stop Westy.
by ajay on Jan 13, 2009 12:13 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
plus he hasn't had a full workload for a while
I think he is pretty healthy now … perfect timing.
"I need to do a better job of putting players in the right position to perennially come up short of expectations"
by Whodie126 on Jan 13, 2009 12:33 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
did you see what happened on that pass to Kevin Curtis in the third quarter (i believe) against the Giants? Westbrook ran a swing route an McNabb looked his way. He pulled a linebacker and a safety to him, opening up Curtis. That’s why he’s important in there, even as a decoy…
"I tried to run him over but Eli had his big boy pads on and he kind of stopped me from getting in the end zone. The next time I’ll try to jump over his head.’’ - Asante Samuel
by foos05 on Jan 13, 2009 12:34 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
That play showed two things, McNabb doing a good job of looking off the linebackers and how much attention Westbrook gets.
by calunker on Jan 13, 2009 7:27 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PAnrmvSj7iY
I youtubed the cards panthers game to get a look at their defense. They were playing 8 in the box when the panthers had 3wr sets, and their inside db would play 3 yards off the LOS. When the panterhs had 2wr sets, they would pull both safties within 8 yards of the LOS, with the strong being closer but to the weak side, effectively making the D a 4 4. I dont think they can do this against the Eagles, McNabb will tear them apart with short passes.
by Clyde Simmons on Jan 13, 2009 1:10 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
The point here is spot on—even if Westbrook is at 75% he changes the game just by attracting attention. Teams cannot afford to leave him in favorable matchups. He creates throwing lanes for McNabb, he is an excellent pass blocker and he still is a threat to break one even with the added attention. Westbrook is one of the few players in the league that can change a game without even touching the ball.
On another note, there has been a lot of talk about the Cards’ improved run defense. And while they have improved, I think it bears a closer look. The Cards played two teams that had one-dimensional attacks. Sure, that one dimension was dangerous, but the Cards could commit to the running game knowing full well that neither QB could take over a game. They don’t have that luxury against the Eagles.
Chris Iafolla http://heardinthecheapseats.com/
by Chris Iafolla on Jan 13, 2009 8:15 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
You mentioned how he changes the game by attracting attention. I believe it was after the deep pass to DJ, but I was surprised that Westbrook wasn’t on the field for the third and goal, if only to use as a decoy.
(That said, I hope they don’t get too predictable with the play action to Celek in goal-line situations.)
I wonder if I can bill Jeff Lurie and Peter Angelos for the years of therapy their teams are going to put me through.
by BrianS on Jan 14, 2009 2:50 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
This was posted on Fox Sports.
“Sounding loose and relaxed on his radio show last night, Brian Westbrook didn’t seem concerned that he had rushed for just 36 yards on 18 carries and added only 10 more receiving yards against the Giants on Sunday in the NFC division playoff victory. In a way, Westbrook sounded relieved. "I think this team has kind of turned a corner,” Westbrook said on ESPN-AM (950). “Before, when I struggled, this team has struggled. But I have struggled these last two games and this team has done very good.” Westbrook also applauded the play-calling that kept giving him the ball even though he wasn’t breaking any big runs. He said a “scaled-back” playbook has made Eagles offensive players perform with less caution. “It’s really almost made all the difference in the world,” Westbrook said. "
"Philly is a hot team now and they are playing well on defense, Donovan has managed the game well and I don't think there is any team out there ... I think they beat the only team out there that had a chance to beat them, and I don't think there is anybody out there that is going to beat them. I'm on their bandwagon and I'm picking Philly to win the whole thing." - Giants RB Brandon Jabobs
by midnitegreen on Jan 13, 2009 8:21 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
i’d be interested to see how much the playbook has been “scaled back”
"I tried to run him over but Eli had his big boy pads on and he kind of stopped me from getting in the end zone. The next time I’ll try to jump over his head.’’ - Asante Samuel
by foos05 on Jan 14, 2009 7:54 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Just the pages with Reggie Brown?
I wonder if I can bill Jeff Lurie and Peter Angelos for the years of therapy their teams are going to put me through.
by BrianS on Jan 14, 2009 2:51 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
bahahahaha
Andy: “Marty, we need to scale back the playbook a little here… Hmmm how do we figure out what we need and what we don’t?”
Marty: “How about we just take out the section marked ‘R. Brown’?”
Andy: “Sounds good to me. Let’s go get some pizza.”
"I tried to run him over but Eli had his big boy pads on and he kind of stopped me from getting in the end zone. The next time I’ll try to jump over his head.’’ - Asante Samuel
by foos05 on Jan 14, 2009 3:29 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
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