Brian Westbrook says he is preparing to return to the Eagles next year. However, after two lackluster seasons in which he was injured and appeared to have lost the explosiveness that made him the Eagles ultimate weapon, questioning whether or not he will be back is fair game.
The fact is Westbrook is scheduled to make north of $7 million next year. Even in an uncapped year, that is a lot to spend on a player who may or may not make an impact. Would that money be better spent elsewhere?
The Eagles need another back to pair with LeSean McCoy, who will enter the season as the starter — with or without BWest36.
LaDainian Tomlinson will be looking for a new home this year.
Two names to keep an eye on are LaDainian Tomlinson and Reggie Bush. Before you point out that neither is a feature back at this point, keep in mind the Eagles don’t need that.
Tomlinson will not be back in San Diego. He will need to go elsewhere to chase the Super Bowl championship that has eluded him. LT is not the explosive back he once was. However, he can still get the job done in short-yardage situations.
Last year, he averaged a pedestrian 3.3 yards-per-carry, but still managed to find pay dirt 12 times. If the Eagles want a guy who can come in and get the tough yards and bull his way into the end zone when they get in the red zone, LT may be there guy. However, he’ll need to take a severely reduced salary no matter where he goes.
Bush, meanwhile, is in jeopardy of being waived by the Saints as he is due to make $20 million the next two years. Bush has certainly not lived up to expectations and will never be the next Barry Sanders. He just isn’t good unless he gets into open space.
That is precisely why he would fit in with the Eagles, as long as the price is right. Andy Reid loves to run the screen pass and the Eagles were great at it with Westbrook. With Bush’s speed and elusiveness, he may just be the perfect WCO compliment to McCoy.
Also, Bush is a threat in the return game. Adding him could help the Eagles keep DeSean Jackson fresh by limiting the number of hits he takes when returning punts.
Whether or not the Eagles are serious contenders for LT or Bush, running back is a position to keep an eye on this offseason.
Bush will never…and can only do it in open space? This is lazy and overly projecting. How do you know what he “never” will do. Did you watch the playoffs? better yet this season, Reggie was limited in carries due to his injury from last year and got most of his 5.6 ypc from going between the tackles!!! Sounds like you’re just repeating stuff you hear. And I don’t think he’ll end up on Eagles, but he’ll be with Seattle or San Diego.
Exactly, he did it in limited carries. He’s a good change-of-pace guy. Give him 20 carries a game and he’s awful. Seattle? Maybe. San Diego? No chance in hell.