The Brian Westbrook surgery is a big deal for the Birds because BWest does the job of three players in the Eagles offense.
First he is the Eagles running game. He has been their running game even when there wasn't a tight end or fullback on the team who could block. Yet and still he had to make it happen.
Despite the run blocking of the offensive line going south the last couple of years after a stellar campaign in 2006, Westbook has tried to make the running game go.
The thing that makes Westbrook so dangerous and explosive as a running back is the fact that he can make people miss in small areas. If the line can give him a one on one chance, he can break the run.
He has made their screen game one of the best if not the best in the league because of his patience and great vision.
Westbrook is also a great back coming out of the backfield. Many times have a 3rd down back who specializes in this area.
They utilize him to beat linebackers and safeties when coming out of the backfield on pass routes. He is sure-handed and as quick as a cat.
Remember the impact he had on the regular season game a year ago in the Meadlowlands when he made Giants middle linebacker Antonio Pierce look like he didn't belong on the field with him.
On top of all that, they move him outside and turn him into a wide receiver. He allows to get a mismatch when he moves out because few safeties in the league can cover him.
Unlike other teams who will move a back out there as window-dressing, they move him out there and throw him the ball.
He runs routes like a wide receiver and has a sense for the passing game that you rarely see in running backs.
It takes not one, or two but three weapons out of the offense when he can't go.
