Will The Real Westbrook Show Up For Playoffs?

You remember the Brian Westbrook of 06′ and 07′, who single-handedly carried the Eagles offense on the ground and in the air.

Remember number 36 weaving through the secondary on screens and exploding through opening at the line of scrimmage.

Remember the guy who couldn’t be single covered by a linebacker or a safety

Can Westbrook regain his quickness and instincts and get back in sync in only a week or two?  That’s the huge question which will factor in the Eagles Super Bowl hopes?

Westbrook looked rusty but did stay healthy in his first live action in five weeks after sustaining his second concussion of the season.

He didn’t put up big numbers in the game but his presence in the lineup could be a huge factor the rest of the way.

Westbrook carried the ball nine times for only 32 yards.  He had two receptions for only five yards.

The blocking wasn’t very good for him and the Broncos keyed on him when he came into the game.  They were especially aware of Westbrook’s ability to make big plays in the screen game.

I asked BWest how he felt about the Denver defensive linemen yelling screen, screen every time he came into the game and he said it was tough to run them with everybody yelling out the play.

That seems like a negative now but you can’t put pressure on the passer and stop the screen at the same time.  Each time Westbrook goes into the game, it’s going to mean that Donovan McNabb will probably have more time to throw the ball because the defensive line will be playing the screen.

He got a couple of opportunities to run routes in one on one situations against Denver safety Brian Dawkins and you could see that he was rusty.  A few years ago Westbrook would turn a safety in circles who tried to cover him.

With DeSean Jackson on the field, he knows he will be single covered by a safety or linebacker.

He will be running the ball against a seven man front because teams will not move the safety up into the box with Jackson outside.

Westbrook will have plenty of opportunities to make big plays but can he take advantage of the situation right now.

After the game he talked about how he wants to provide that extra boost for the Eagles offense.  All they need is a couple of his explosive plays at key parts of the game.

For instance they could have used a play or two in the second half of the Broncos game to get the offense going.

Regardless of how close he can get to his past excellence, Westbrook will play a key role in the Cowboys game and the playoffs.

All he needs is one big play, just one and it will be like releasing the genie from the bottle.

I think Andy Reid and Marty Mornhinweg will be able to figure out a way to get him in a one on one situation in the open field.

Westbrook wants to contribute to this team.