In the NFL, normally the team that must have a game usually is the team that wins it.
That's true also when it comes to what coaches demand out of their teams. An offensive coach who wants to be able to run the ball must demand it from his offensive line. He's got to get in those guys faces and go beserk if necessary in demanding that they be able to run the football.
This is not the case here in Philadelphia. Running is not a must. You know, I know and the players know that it's more important to Andy Reid that they be able to pass the ball as opposed to running it.
I feel this is one of the reasons the Eagles can't run the ball effectively. There's not a commitment to running the football.
It seemed a couple years ago in 2006 that Marty Mornhinweg had made it clear to the line that they couldn't win with a dominant running game. They ran the ball on that same Giants team that destroyed them on Sunday night.
There was a pride with those linemen when we came over to talk to them about how they controlled the game and dominated. I think that was lost when Reid decided to take back over the play calling.
Another reason the Eagles are running the football is the fact that Westbrook isn't the same back he was last year or the year before.
The years go by for an NFL running back much faster than they do for other players.
They take more hits than anybody else on the field and that partly explains what's happening with Brian Westbrook. I can remember telling people during the off season that Westbrook had better get his money now because running backs come and go rapidly.
I think he's still got enough football in him to be a good back but I don't see Westbrook being able to carry the ball effectively 300 plus times. He's not a big back. He's a small back who doesn't have the body to be taking all those hits and not be affected by it.
Even though he wants to be the feature back, BWest can be extended if his carries are reduced and he's given the ball out in the open field in the passing game and screen game.
What's wrong with giving Correll Buckhalter some of those carries especially while Westbrook is banged up.
