Brian Westbrook News: Pro Sports Daily

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November 7

Camden Courier-Post

"There's still an air of uncertainty about whether or not Brian Westbrook will play Sunday night against the Cowboys. The Eagles' running back was withheld from practice Friday after taking most of the first-team reps on Wednesday and Thursday and is listed on the team's official report as "questionable" - a 50 percent chance to play, in NFL jargon. But coach Andy Reid seemed to suggest that Westbrook would play and was only held out of practice because of the recent workload. "He's had two hard days of work and, really, the young kid [LeSean McCoy] hasn't gotten a ton of reps," Reid said. "Like I've done on some othe Fridays, I kept Brian out." The uncertainty lies in the injury report. ..."

Brian Westbrook expected to practice Wednesday

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November 2

Dallas Morning News

"That's the word from Philly coach Andy Reid about all-everything running back Brian Westbrook. Westbrook didn't play Sunday against the New York Giants because of a concussion. He has done some working out since getting hurt vs. Washington and was scheduled to do more on Monday. Reid said Westbrook had a slight headache Saturday but he was better Sunday."

Source: RB Westbrook expected to sit

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November 1

ESPN.com

"Eagles running back Brian Westbrook was not expected to play Sunday because of a concussion he suffered last week, a team source told ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter. The Eagles (4-2) host the New York Giants (5-2) with first place in the NFC East at stake. Westbrook suffered the head injury in last Monday's 27-17 victory over the Redskins. Westbrook has not practiced all week, but he was on the field Friday with his teammates and seemed in good spirits."

Giants waiting on Eagles' Westbrook

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October 31

New York Daily News

"The Giants have seen enough of Brian Westbrook over the years to know one thing for sure: They're much better off if he's not on the field. They might get their wish tomorrow, too, since Westbrook, the Eagles ' running back and one of the biggest Giant-killers of them all, has been sidelined all week with the after-effects of a concussion. Even though the Eagles list him as "questionable," Westbrook hadn't even been cleared to work out as of Friday. His status will be a game-time decision, said Eagles coach Andy Reid , but the team is obviously being cautious since Westbrook was knocked unconscious for close to a minute on Monday night and was still experiencing mild headaches on ..."

Eagles RB Brian Westbrook could miss game against New York Giants

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October 29

New York Daily News

"As commissioner Roger Goodell was defending the NFL's policies on concussions before Congress Wednesday, the Eagles were dealing with a head injury to Brian Westbrook and beginning the process of determining whether the star running back can take the field against the Giants on Sunday. Since Westbrook has always been the most vital part of the Eagles' offense, it might be tempting to rush him back after his head collided with the knee of Redskins linebacker Rocky McIntosh on Monday night. On his radio show Tuesday, Andy Reid said he was "counting on" Westbrook playing. Wednesday, however, he told reporters that Westbrook would not play until his series of week-long tests checked out, which ..."

Signs point against Westbrook's return

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October 28

Philadelphia Inquirer

"Andy Reid said last night that he was "counting on" Brian Westbrook to be ready when the Eagles play the New York Giants in an NFC East showdown Sunday at Lincoln Financial Field.Based on medical guidelines for dealing with a concussion, however, that scenario seemed unlikely."Right now, I'm counting on he'll be there, and I know he'll want to be there, so there is a fine line there because this guy is so competitive that he wants to be out there every minute," Reid said during his radio show on WIP-AM (610)."We just have to make sure the tests come back and he's OK to play," the coach said.Pennsylvania Hospital's Art Bartolozzi, the former team physician for the Eagles and Flyers, ..."

Eagles' Westbrook suffers a concussion

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October 27

Philadelphia Inquirer

"Eagles running back Brian Westbrook's evening came to an abrupt end in the first quarter last night when he took a knee to the helmet from Washington Redskins linebacker London Fletcher and appeared to be knocked unconscious by the blow.Westbrook left the game and did not return. It was announced that he had suffered a concussion.Coach Andy Reid said after the Eagles' 27-17 victory that he thought Westbrook would be OK, but he'd have to go through a battery of tests with trainer Rick Burkholder before he'll be cleared to play Sunday against the New York Giants."It looked like he was out cold," Reid said. "I was hoping he was OK. He wasn't moving . . . and when a player is not moving that ..."

How hard will Westbrook's concussion hit Eagles?

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October 27

Philadelphia Daily News

columnist Rich Hofmann

"If Brian Westbrook were a boxer, which he is not, and if he were indeed knocked cold last night after a knee rudely encountered his head, which he was, he would not be playing again until about the Eagles' 15th game of the season.Because this is football, no one expects that. But as the Eagles enter the meat-grinder part of their schedule, it seems pretty clear that they will be doing it without their top running back.As the real games begin - Giants and Cowboys and Chargers and et cetera - it appears as if the Eagles will have to scheme their way and Wildcat their way and Shady McCoy their way around the absence of their most accomplished runner. If Westbrook were to play Sunday against ..."

Westbrook, Jackson injured in Eagles' win

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October 27

Philadelphia Daily News

"The Eagles' offense was big play or no play. Their defense was swarming and solid, against an opponent that couldn't get out of its own way. New middle linebacker Will Witherspoon made a huge difference.All together, what did it mean?We'll get back to you on that when we know the prognosis on a couple of very important Eagles injuries - the concussion that ended Brian Westbrook's evening in the first quarter and the foot sprain just before halftime that limited DeSean Jackson the rest of the way. It might be relevant to mention that the Birds host the New York Giants in 5 days, with the New Yorkers not really fancying the notion of a third successive loss.What we have this morning is ..."

Westbrook's reality has been losing touches

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October 26

Philadelphia Inquirer

columnist Bob Ford

"The game against the Raiders last week had reached its final minutes and the costumed customers in Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum shook their plastic weapons and growled their meanest growls as Donovan McNabb took a shotgun snap and searched the stage for a redemptive exit. On the sideline, Brian Westbrook watched the play along with the others. His chinstrap was still snapped in place, but he wasn't on the field for this third-down play that would end with McNabb scrambling for a few yards. One play later, a harried McNabb would underthrow DeSean Jackson and the Eagles were finished. As often as not, Westbrook wasn't in the game during its most important stretches. Andy Reid would say ..."

Eagles' Westbrook wants increased workload

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October 23

Philadelphia Inquirer

"Brian Westbrook raised his hand yesterday and said he was ready for more work."I think I can make some plays when I have the ball in my hands," Westbrook said before practice yesterday. "It's very hard to show people what you can do when you don't have the opportunities. I think as the season goes on, I will get those opportunities - and when I do, I think I will show people that I can still play."He showed that Sunday against the Oakland Raiders when he ran six times for 50 yards and caught nine passes for 91 more. It was a reminder of what he's done in the past for the Eagles, and now he would like to carry the football some more.Westbrook said he has been known to make a suggestion or ..."

Westbrook eager to run more for the Eagles

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October 23

Philadelphia Daily News

"During the game, Brian Westbrook doesn't really count his touches, the Eagles running back said yesterday. He'll lobby offensive coordinator Marty Mornhinweg a little, but mostly, Westbrook said, he looks ahead to the next opportunity, figuring it will give him a chance to make up for lost time."I really don't get too down during the game," Westbrook said. "Of course, after the game, you look at stats, you look at production, things like that, and you kind of say, 'Wow,' but at the same time, we've had a lot of success throwing the football."Westbrook, ever the diplomat (well, now that he isn't angry about his contract anymore), noted that if the Eagles had been able to hit those long ..."

Westbrook returns to Eagles but adjusts to secondary role

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October 12

Philadelphia Daily News

"As expected, Donovan McNabb and Brian Westbrook came back from injuries to start in yesterday's 33-14 Eagles victory over the visiting Tampa Bay Bucs.McNabb was McNabb, as sharp as he could possibly be in a game that required him to throw only 21 times. McNabb completed 16 of those throws for 264 yards (16.5 yards per completion), three touchdowns and no interceptions.Westbrook was, well . . . not exactly Westbrook. He said his ankle and knee felt fine, and he scooted up the gut for a 7-yard touchdown run on the play after he reeled in a 20-yard pass, but overall, there wasn't much magic. Six carries, 18 yards. Two catches for 17 more.It was a little jarring to see Andy Reid line rookie ..."

McNabb and Westbrook Are Back

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October 5

Camden Courier-Post

"Both Donovan McNabb and Brian Westbrook practiced today, telling me that both will play this weekend when Tampa Bay comes to Philly. The fact that we cut Jeff Garcia told me McNabb would be available, but it's nice to have Westbrook back as well. LeSean McCoy did a real nice job against a Kansas City defense that isn't very good, but I don't think I want him to be a full-time back quite yet. Brian Westbrook is too explosive and important in the pass-catching department for us to be without him for long."

McNabb, Westbrook won't practice

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September 23

Philadelphia Inquirer

"Quarterback Donovan McNabb and Brian Westbrook will not practice today as they continue to heal from their injuries – McNabb with a broken rib and Westbrook with a "slightly sprained ankle." Receiver DeSean Jackson went through the walkthrough this morning, despite a strained groin, but will not practice this afternoon. Of Westbrook, coach Andy Reid said, "We'll see how he does throughout the week. It really is a day-to-day thing." The swelling in Westbrook's ankle is "way down, there's very little swelling," Reid said. "We feel pretty good about that today." Reid said McNabb is able to throw, "not with great velocity or length right now." Reid said he would take into account the Eagles' ..."

For Westbrook, liitle to show but little help

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September 23

Philadelphia Inquirer

"Brian Westbrook is 30 years old and injured - again. Was Sunday's deflating 48-22 loss to New Orleans another sign that the Eagles running back is losing his explosiveness and effectiveness? Yes and no. There were times Sunday when Westbrook seemed to be what years ago would have been inconceivable: just ordinary. He hit holes but couldn't get through them, was neither shifty nor elusive, and, after he sprained his ankle in the second half, appeared to age before your eyes. But there were other times when he was the Westbrook of old. But not even Westbrook circa 2007 could have made something out of nothing with the poor run-blocking. The Eagles' line may have done a fine job protecting ..."

Under the Microscope ...' For Westbrook, little to show but little help

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September 22

Philadelphia Inquirer

"Brian Westbrook is 30 years old and injured - again.Was Sunday's deflating 48-22 loss to New Orleans another sign that the Eagles running back is losing his explosiveness and effectiveness?Yes and no.There were times Sunday when Westbrook seemed to be what years ago would have been inconceivable: just ordinary. He hit holes but couldn't get through them, was neither shifty nor elusive, and, after he sprained his ankle in the second half, appeared to age before your eyes.But there were other times when he was the Westbrook of old. But not even Westbrook circa 2007 could have made something out of nothing with the poor run-blocking. The Eagles' line may have done a fine job protecting ..."

Reid optimistic that Westbrook can regain old form

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September 22

Philadelphia Daily News

"ANDY REID SAID yesterday that Brian Westbrook's issue is regaining sharpness after a layoff, not diminished capability.By the end of the season, we'll probably know for sure whether Reid is right. Right now, we know that in two games, the Eagles' once-electric running back has carried 26 times for 116 yards, a respectable but unremarkable 4.5-yard average. Westbrook, who caught more passes than any other NFL running back from 2004-2008, has just six catches so far this season, for 22 yards. He has looked more or less OK. He hasn't taken anyone's breath away.Of course, the Birds have more attractive receiving options now than they had in 2007, when Westbrook set a team record by hauling in ..."

Westbrook sprains surgically repaired ankle

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September 21

Philadelphia Inquirer

"Eagles running back Brian Westbrook sprained his surgically repaired right ankle during the third quarter of the team's 48-22 loss to the New Orleans Saints yesterday. Westbrook then briefly returned to the game, but when the score got out of hand in the fourth quarter, rookie LeSean McCoy replaced him. Even if the game had been close, it's not clear that Westbrook would have been able to continue. "It was just sore," Westbrook said. "I tried to put a little weight on it. Tried to be effective out there on the field. You don't want to go out there and hurt the team. As far as running, I wanted to make some cuts, and I just wasn't able to do it." It was the second straight week that ..."

Westbrook option declined

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September 15

ESPN.com

"Brian Westbrook's long-term security apparently isn't as long as he had anticipated. A revision in the five-year, $32 million extension the Philadelphia Eagles running back signed last August indicated the $7 million option bonus due in 2010 wasn't exercised by the team, according to multiple sources. By not exercising the $7 million bonus, Westbrook's contract ends in 2010."

Reid says Westbrook is ready

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September 12

Camden Courier-Post

"Brian Westbrook is good to go. Eagles coach Andy Reid confirmed Friday that his two-time Pro Bowl running back will start Sunday against the Carolina Panthers. Westbrook's name surprisingly surfaced on the injury report Thursday under the heading of "full participation" in practice. But Reid said Westbrook's left knee, which tends to swell at times during the season, isn't problematic. Westbrook underwent knee and ankle surgery in the offseason, which kept him out of all four preseason games. "He's fine," Reid said. "We've been trying to monitor him as much as we possibly can and just limit his reps." Asked if the team has done anything unusual in its treatment of Westbrook's knee, Reid ..."

Westbrook ready to run

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September 10

Camden Courier-Post

"When that first handoff from Donovan McNabb gets tucked into his midsection or that first pass from McNabb settles into his hands, Brian Westbrook will encounter a spectrum of emotions and feelings. Some won't be as comfortable as others. "(I) may be just a tad bit rusty," Westbrook admitted. While most of his teammates had at least three preseason games to get warmed up for the regular season, Westbrook hasn't played an NFL game since the Eagles' disheartening 32-25 loss to Arizona in the NFC Championship. After being held out of all contact practices in training camp, Westbrook also sat out every preseason game as the coaches deliberately scaled back his workload this summer to keep ..."

Brian Westbrook raring to go

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September 10

Philadelphia Inquirer

"So much is new and different about the Eagles' offense that sometimes we forget that the old - 30-year-old Brian Westbrook, to be more precise - probably will dictate the success or failure of this football team.Westbrook, entering his eighth NFL season and sixth as the undisputed starting running back, spent training camp and the preseason tucked in the background as he recovered from June ankle surgery and the Eagles made headlines with new injuries and the signing of Michael Vick.Westbrook sat out the preseason for the first time in his career."I feel a lot fresher as I sit here right now going into the first game than I have in the past, but at the same time it was very different," he ..."

Westbrook insists he'll be back in top form

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August 19

Camden Courier-Post

"Two years ago, it didn't seem likely that Brian Westbrook would be faced with this question by 2009: With so many options on offense -- including this new wildcat guy -- do you think defensive coordinators might overlook you? "I hope so," Westbrook said Tuesday in addressing the media for the first time since training camp began. "I hope I can surprise them." While Westbrook has been rehabbing two off-season surgeries, most recently an ankle procedure to shave bone fragments and treat an inflamed tendon, the team has loaded up with offensive talent around him. They spruced up the offensive line, used a first-round pick on a wide receiver and used a second-rounder on Westbrook's eventual ..."

RB Westbrook shows progress

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August 6

Camden Courier-Post

"Running back Brian Westbrook took another step in his recovery from ankle surgery Wednesday during side workouts with head trainer Rick Burkholder. For the first time in camp, Westbrook performed football-like activities, running routes and catching passes from offensive assistant Doug Pederson, a former Eagles quarterback. "Yeah, just trying to get him involved with some football drills," Reid said. "Rick has done a handful of conditioning and rehab drills with him. We brought a quarterback over to throw him the ball, throw him some routes, just to see how he's cutting. I needed to get a little feel on it, just see where he's at." Reid said Westbrook moved around well and is ahead of ..."

Brian Westbrook puts on camp show

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August 6

Philadelphia Inquirer

"The Eagles didn't do any live "to-the-ground" hitting during yesterday's morning workout at Lehigh University, but there was plenty of good theater anyway.At the end of the practice, running back Brian Westbrook emerged from the Varsity House and put on a one-man show for an audience of two: coach Andy Reid and trainer Rick Burkholder.In an effort to prove to Reid and Burkholder that he is ready to return before the mid-August target date the head coach outlined at the start of training camp, Westbrook made a series of cuts through an obstacle course of orange practice dummies.There was no indication that Westbrook is feeling any lingering affects from right ankle surgery in early June. ..."

Westbrook, Abiamiri out a few weeks

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July 27

Camden Courier-Post

"Andy Reid opened his first news conference at Lehigh University by announcing that Brian Westbrook wouldn't be ready to practice for at least a month. At least Westbrook will have company in his rehab program. Reid also matter-of-factly delivered the bad news that third-year defensive end Victor Abiamiri will be out of training camp until mid-August after recently straining his pectoral muscle while training. Abiamiri entered camp as the front-runner at left defensive end, though he's competing against incumbent Juqua Parker. It's yet another setback for the Notre Dame product who missed almost all of last season's camp and six regular-season weeks after undergoing surgery to repair a ..."

Westbrook may sit until opener

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June 6

Camden Courier-Post

"The Eagles say they're comfortable with their running back depth, no matter how shaky it gets. And lately, it's been getting more unsteady by the day. Roughly an hour before an announcement that Brian Westbrook's ankle surgery would keep the Pro Bowl running back sidelined indefinitely, the Eagles were further limited at running back when rookie LeSean McCoy left practice with a severe thumb injury. Projections say Westbrook is unlikely to play during the preseason but should be ready to go when the season starts. Lorenzo Booker, McCoy's top competition to be Westbrook's backup, took the majority of snaps after McCoy left the practice bubble for X-rays that turned up negative. The other ..."

Eagles hold breath on Westbrook surgery

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June 5

Philadelphia Inquirer

"The Eagles' running attack is in limbo as the team awaits word on Brian Westbrook's ankle surgery this morning in Baltimore. While a team source and Westbrook's agent said Wednesday that the surgery to clear bone spurs in the right ankle would be minor, another source close to the situation was more worried about the severity of the injury."I'm just concerned that [the surgery] is being underplayed," the source said yesterday. "It's a lot more than a little spur and it's much more than the knee arthroscopy" Westbrook had in February.Mark Myerson of the Institute for Foot and Ankle Reconstruction in Baltimore was to operate.The Eagles start training camp on July 26 and begin the regular ..."

Surgery just one reason to worry about Westbrook

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June 5

Philadelphia Inquirer

columnist Phil Sheridan

"The view into the abyss isn't particularly reassuring, not with a couple of unknowns like Lorenzo Booker and LeSean McCoy looking back at you.The Eagles were bound to face life without Brian Westbrook eventually. That's just how it is in professional sports, especially this sport. Players know an injury could end their careers at any time - whether it's a sudden catastrophic blow or the slow erosion of their ability to run fast enough, push hard enough, or change direction suddenly enough.Today's ankle surgery is only one reason to worry that Westbrook may not be Westbrook anymore. His earlier knee surgery is another. But perhaps the most alarming sign was the season that preceded this ..."

Reid has good feelings about Eagles, Westbrook postsurgery

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June 5

Philadelphia Daily News

"THE EAGLES want to see how the surgery on Brian Westbrook's right ankle goes today before deciding if they need to make a move to add a running back, Andy Reid told the Daily News yesterday."Let's just see what happens, and then we'll take it from there," the Eagles' coach said. "We obviously know what's out there, as far as other running backs; we've done our homework there. But we're not going to do anything here until we see what's going on with Brian."Reid had just been discussing how excited he was about his 2009 team - with the usual caveats about how it's still just early June and a lot of learning and meshing still has to take place - so he was asked if having such a crucial ..."

Westbrook to have ankle surgery

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June 4

Philadelphia Inquirer

"Eagles running back Brian Westbrook will have his second operation of the off-season. After reports by Comcast SportsNet and ESPN.com, the Eagles confirmed that Westbrook would have bone spurs removed from his right ankle on Friday. The surgery will be performed by Mark Myerson in Baltimore. A team source said the team was unsure of the recovery time. The Eagles open training camp on July 26 and the regular season on Sept. 13. Coach Andy Reid said yesterday that Westbrook was visiting Myerson in Baltimore. Myerson is a foot specialist who operated on wide receiver Terrell Owens late in the 2004 season. Westbrook participated in the Eagles' mandatory minicamp in early May, but Reid said ..."

Westbrook to get ankle surgery

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June 4

Philadelphia Daily News

"ONCE YOU'VE typed the words "Brian Westbrook" and "right ankle surgery," it's really hard to keep the typing fingers away from words such as "disaster" or "panic." But if what the Eagles announced last night, in confirming what agent Todd France said earlier, is the whole truth, Westbrook needs cleanout surgery for bone spurs, not a repair of a high ankle sprain. Though that sounds ominous, it probably isn't. The team released a statement saying Westbrook "is scheduled to undergo surgery on Friday, June 5, in Baltimore. The surgery, which will be performed by Dr. Mark Myerson, is a debridement of his right ankle." France told ESPN.com Westbrook needed "minor" surgery for "bone spurs." Dr. ..."

Ankle injury sidelines Westbrook

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June 3

Philadelphia Inquirer

"Neither cornerback Sheldon Brown nor running back Brian Westbrook was on the field for the Eagles' almost-full-squad workout yesterday at the NovaCare Complex.Brown's ongoing ailment was his contract.Westbrook's injury was to his right ankle, and was a new and potentially important development."I wish I could tell you more, but I don't know more right this minute," coach Andy Reid said of Westbrook. "But we'll know more as we go on here the next couple of days."Westbrook has played through pain often, including last season, when a high right-ankle sprain and chronic soreness in his left knee contributed to a significantin production.If he has more pain in the ankle in the off-season, it ..."

At Eagles camp, McCoy gets reps while Westbrook deals with sore ankle

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June 3

Philadelphia Daily News

"THE EAGLES don't have any regular-season games scheduled for the next 3 months, so Brian Westbrook's absence from yesterday's opening of a voluntary Organized Team Activity (aka minicamp) to get a sore ankle checked out isn't likely to knock the 2009 Birds completely out of Super Bowl contention.But if you already felt a little unsettled about how Westbrook's yards per carry in 2008 slipped to 4.0, his lowest since 2005, and how his 54 receptions for 402 yards were his lowest totals since 2003, well, feel free to remain queasy. And oh, yeah, BWest turns 30 - the age at which so many NFL running backs find their wheels have turned into pumpkins - on Sept. 2, before the start of those ..."

Westbrook adds to Eagles' silence

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May 2

Philadelphia Inquirer

"Quarterback Donovan McNabb wasn't the only player who shunned a trip to the podium yesterday.Running back Brian Westbrook also declined to share his thoughts after the Eagles' morning workout at the NovaCare Complex.The big question for Westbrook, of course, is how he feels after playing most of last season with a severe right-ankle sprain and an inflamed left knee that required arthroscopic surgery in January."He moved around well," coach Andy Reid said. "I checked with him midway through the practice and then three-quarters of the way through practice just to see how he was feeling, and he felt good."Reid said he probably would limit Westbrook's reps during these minicamps."I'm just ..."

Eagles' Westbrook might need knee surgery, source says

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January 31

Philadelphia Inquirer

"The most accomplished running back in today's Super Bowl between the Pittsburgh Steelers and Arizona Cardinals is Edgerrin James. After barely getting off the bench for much of the season, James has played a huge role in the Cardinals' improbable playoff run. But at age 30, it is clear James' best days are behind him and it wouldn't be surprising if the team releases him rather than pay $5 million on the final year of his contract in 2009. James' situation brings us to the Eagles and running back Brian Westbrook, who will be 30 on Sept. 2. The Eagles aren't in the Super Bowl, because they couldn't beat the Cardinals in the NFC championship game - and one reason for it was Westbrook's ..."

Eagles may need to think past Westbrook

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January 25

Camden Courier-Post

"For most of the season, Brian Westbrook rode on donuts instead of Michelins. Now, after the combination of a persistently cranky left knee and high ankle sprain robbed the All-Pro running back of his trademark explosion, people are beginning to wonder if the Ferrari can still kick into extra gear. It's not hard to find a blogger or sports-talk caller doubting whether the Westbrook of 2006 and 2007 -- the one who set multiple franchise records -- is parked somewhere in an abandoned lot. Inside the NovaCare Complex, perception about Westbrook remains unchanged. In his season-ending press conference, head coach Andy Reid was asked if Westbrook could still be among the league's elite. "I think ..."

Ground game trying to find legs

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January 18

Camden Courier-Post

"The Eagles have scored 49 points in two postseason games, an average of just under 25 points per game. But they're not enthusiastic about all phases of their offense, especially one essential area. "Our running game? It's not very good right now," offensive coordinator Marty Mornhinweg said. Today's duel in the desert between the Eagles and Cardinals pits two of the NFL's top passing offenses against each other in the NFC title game. But the Cardinals are, surprisingly, the postseason's top rushing team. They've averaged 115.5 yards per game behind resurgent halfback Edgerrin James, the postseason's second-leading rusher. Arizona, which had the worst rushing offense in football this year, ..."

Edge providing some laughs

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January 16

Arizona Republic

"Running back Edgerrin James is slashing again for the Cardinals, and not just when he's carrying the football. James provided some light moments after the team's workout in Tempe on Thursday, mostly about his benching and return to the lineup. "It's kind of boring, that's the only thing," he said of his bench time. "You get bored standing around, and you have to learn sideline etiquette. "You learn when to get up, when to move, where to stand. It's a new world." For instance, he said when Larry Fitzgerald comes looking for the heater, he has to move. For most, he said "I've got a little seniority." Somebody asked how the Eagles defense is different from the two defenses the Cardinals have ..."

Westbrook's knee a concern but he'll play

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January 15

Philadelphia Inquirer

"Brian Westbrook didn't practice yesterday. No reason to raise a red flag about that. The Eagles' star running back has missed many practices this season to let an assortment of ailments heal as much as possible before game day. During his weekly trip to the podium at the NovaCare Complex, Westbrook talked about the benefits of resting his swollen left knee and the ankle he sprained in Week 3 against Pittsburgh. He also spoke of the frustration of not being 100 percent. "In any game you go into, you're going to be frustrated that you are not 100 percent, but I've been battling injuries all year long," Westbrook said. "I continue to be positive that I can do the things that I need to do to ..."

Westbrook: Eagles have 'turned a corner'

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January 13

Philadelphia Inquirer

"Sounding loose and relaxed on his radio show last night, Brian Westbrook didn't seem concerned that he had rushed for just 36 yards on 18 carries and added only 10 more receiving yards against the Giants on Sunday in the NFC division playoff victory.In a way, Westbrook sounded relieved."I think this team has kind of turned a corner," Westbrook said on ESPN-AM (950). "Before, when I struggled, this team has struggled. But I have struggled these last two games and this team has done very good."Westbrook also applauded the play-calling that kept giving him the ball even though he wasn't breaking any big runs. He said a "scaled-back" playbook has made Eagles offensive players perform with less ..."

Eagles' Westbrook says defenses, not knee injury, slowing him down

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January 13

Philadelphia Daily News

"IT'S HARD for fans to not worry, at least a little.So far in the playoffs, Brian Westbrook has carried 38 times for 74 yards. Yeah, he went 71 yards for a clinching touchdown with a screen pass at Minnesota, but otherwise he has not looked at all like the lethal weapon opposing defenses fear.And, in a shocking development known only to everyone who has read a newspaper or listened to a sportscast lately, Westbrook hasn't practiced regularly in weeks, nursing along a chronically swollen knee that is always at least a little problem for him when the season's lumps begin to accumulate. Earlier in the season, a high ankle sprain lingered, but the knee seems to be the much bigger concern right ..."

Even hurt, Eagles' Westbrook a pain for defenses

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January 12

Philadelphia Daily News

"His gait ranked somewhere between a limp and a strut, his face taut, his eyes focused on his future footsteps. Asked later by a reporter how he felt physically, Brian Westbrook would answer, "I'm feeling good." But you could pardon any onlooker who begged to differ.He has spent this season trying to ignore the pain in several parts of his body, from his knee to his ankle to his ribs, and as you watched him at various points during the afternoon, you couldn't help but wonder.In the first quarter, might he have cut to his right for a big gain rather than plow straight ahead for a minimal one? On third-and-1 in the third quarter, might that first down have been a touchdown? In the fourth ..."

Westbrook always hurts NFC East rival

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January 10

Camden Courier-Post

"There was the punt return that silenced the Meadowlands in 2003. There was the 153-yard outburst in the 2006 wild-card showdown. And there was the 203-yard, two-touch- down explosion one month ago in the must-win rematch. It seems whenever the Eagles and Giants collide, both teams have arrived at a crossroads. The Eagles are usually going up, the Giants are usually sinking and Brian Westbrook's fingerprints -- actually, his footprints -- are all over it. "He's a guy on everyone's list in terms of what you have to do to try to prevent him from getting the ball in the end zone," Giants coach Tom Coughlin said this week. Westbrook will see the Giants for the third time this season when the ..."

Westbrook a bit slower, but is 'confident' in Eagles

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January 8

Camden Courier-Post

"Despite limitations caused by knee and ankle injuries, Brian Westbrook expects better from himself. He averaged 4 yards per carry this year in the regular season, well below his 4.6 career average and below the 4.8 and 5.1 he averaged the last two seasons, respectively. Last Sunday at Minnesota in the NFC wild-card round, he rushed 20 times for 38 yards, only 1.9 yards per carry. That's well below his 6.0 career average in the postseason. Can this Eagles team run against the Giants -- and maybe beyond -- with Westbrook slowed? "I think we're confident that we can do it," Westbrook said Wednesday. "We're confident that if we can call the plays, we can get it done. It's just a matter of ..."

Giants-Eagles Rematch Has Pierce-Westbrook Subplot

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January 6

New York Times

"The last time Giants linebacker Antonio Pierce saw Philadelphia Eagles running back Brian Westbrook in person, the green numerals on the back of Westbrook's No. 36 jersey were growing smaller in the distance at Giants Stadium. That was Dec. 7, when the Eagles defeated the Giants, 20-14, and Westbrook scored two touchdowns with Pierce in futile pursuit. The more memorable of the two was a 40-yard passing play - short pass, long run - that secured Philadelphia's victory. "I had man coverage," Pierce said at the time. "I chose outside and he ran inside." The teams will meet for the third time this season when they play Sunday at Giants Stadium in a National Football Conference divisional ..."

Getting ball to Westbrook is key to Eagles' success

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January 3

Washington Times

"It was a mystery during and after the Philadelphia Eagles' loss to the Washington Redskins two weeks ago. Why wasn't Brian Westbrook more involved in the offense? Coach Andy Reid and offensive coordinator Marty Mornhinweg suffered a game-long brain cramp - the Eagles ran the ball on only 16 of 64 snaps, and Westbrook touched it only 18 times thanks in part to a smart Redskins game plan but also a playcalling oversight by Reid. The Eagles overcame that defeat, and with collapses by Chicago and Tampa Bay, Philadelphia captured the final NFC playoff spot with a 44-6 win over Dallas that allowed Reid to limit Westbrook's snaps. But when Philadelphia (9-6-1) plays at Minnesota (10-6) on ..."

Getting ball to Westbrook is key to Eagles' success

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January 2

Washington Times

"It was a mystery during and after the Philadelphia Eagles' loss to the Washington Redskins two weeks ago. Why wasn't Brian Westbrook more involved in the offense? Coach Andy Reid and offensive coordinator Marty Mornhinweg suffered a game-long brain cramp - the Eagles ran the ball on only 16 of 64 snaps, and Westbrook touched it only 18 times thanks in part to a smart Redskins game plan but also a playcalling oversight by Reid. The Eagles overcame that defeat, and with collapses by Chicago and Tampa Bay, Philadelphia captured the final NFC playoff spot with a 44-6 win over Dallas that allowed Reid to limit Westbrook's snaps. But when Philadelphia (9-6-1) plays at Minnesota (10-6) on ..."

Reid keeping eye on RB's workload

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December 12

Camden Courier-Post

"Brian Westbrook has touched the ball more times in his last two games than any other two-game span of his career. For a running back nagged by knee and ankle injuries, it's worth wondering if he can hold up at this rate. Westbrook on Thursday said he felt sore Monday, a day after he totaled 203 yards on 39 touches, but not more than usual. He said he can handle the workload, even if he carries the ball 33 times like he did in Sunday's 20-14 win against the Giants. "If it came down to that and I was being successful like I was in this past game, then yeah," he said. "I still think our team is the strongest when a lot of people touch the ball -- receivers, running backs, different things ..."