Why Brian Westbrook Should Run Out Of Philadelphia

The fantasy football community can be awfully fickle, and that's understating it, truthfully. Brian Westbrook was the darling, the studliest among studs nary 3 weeks ago. But since his 200 total yard, 2 TD explosion against Oakland, Westbrook has practically vanished. Talk about petitions for giving Westbrook the money he wants has been drowned out by voices in the community quickly labelling Westbrook as a mere 'scat back' who's production is simply a product of being in a good system (think Portis in Denver), with a Pro Bowl QB and a Pro Bowl WR. And it's that prevailing vibe that demonstrates precisely why Westbrook shouldn't walk, but run out of Philly. Here's what we know about Brian Westbrook:

1. He is unquestionably one of (if not) the best receiving threats at his position in the NFL.
2. When rushing the ball, he's good for about 4.6 YPC (3-year avg.).

But wait. Westbrook's just a 'scat-back' right? Because you can't give Westbrook the ball 20-25 times a game? Says who? Says Andy Reid. In 48 career games with the Eagles, Brian Westbrook has been given 20 carries exactly ONCE. 1 game. Oh, and Westbrook put up a 119 on 22 carries that day, and chipped in 60 through the air as well.

1 game out of 48.

There will be no shortage of coaches and GM's who would love the opportunity to give a running back like Brian Westbrook 20 carries a game.

I think it's pitiful how so many people have formed this rock-solid impression that Westbrook can't be 'the guy', and still be an elite player. I think there's more evidence to the contrary. I think Westbrook's overall opinion that the Eagles want a Mercedes (which they'll keep in their garage a lot) for the price of a Volkswagen is spot on, and if you break down their logic it really boils down to;

"We don't give him 20-carries, so why should we pay him for 20-carries?"

I have no problem with this logic from an organizational/economical perspective. But to label Westbrook as just a 'scat back' is to do so with practically zero empirical sampling to base it on. You hoping your Aunt Bee in the Accounting Dept. at Lurie Corp will give you an invite to the Christmas Party this year? Because you're just toeing the company line, if that's your view of Brian Westbrook.

Anybody with some sense of unbias, can understand why Brian Westbrook would want to high-tail it out of Philly. Not only will he never be valued anywhere near his talent level, he'll never be given the opportunity to fully display his top-end potential and fully blossom as a pro football player either.

Philly. Good riddance.

Photo Credit: [Star Tribune]

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Why Brian Westbrook Should Run Out Of Philadelphia

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