Last year was a disappointing season for running back Lorenzo Booker.
Despite being third on the depth chart, many fans and most importantly the team had envisioned him contributing more in 2008. Not only did they expect him to spell Westbrook or Buckhalter, they also expected him to add some of the same versatility that Westbrook brought to the table.
Yet, as the weeks went by Booker began to fall more and more out of the offensive game plan, until he found himself inactive for the last six games of the season and that included the playoffs.
He ended his first year with the Eagles with zero touchdowns and an abysmal 2.7 yards per carry average.
After the Eagles used their second round pick on LeSean McCoy, who has a skill set which is very similar to that of Westbrook's, it appears as if Booker's days in Eagle green were numbered.
An injury to Westbrook, however may have opened the door for Booker to get more reps and once again prove that he has value to this football team. In an off-season that saw the departure of Correll Buckhalter, Booker and Westbrook are the only running backs on the team that were on the roster last season.
And with Westbrook sidelined for the foreseeable future, Booker needs to step up and prove himself as a viable option. If he were to do so, he would be taking some pressure off McCoy.
I think Booker is capable of being number two behind Westbrook. I am not saying that he will beat out McCoy, but I think that him having another year in the offense give him an advantage of the rookie.
From what I have seen from Booker this year, he is more confidence and I think that can be attributed to the fact that he is returning to the same team.
If he can demonstrate during camp and the pre-season that he can be counted on in spot duty, there is no reason why he should not see more playing time in 2009.
