Packers interested in Brian Westbrook

[Captain Erv]

Packers showing interest in Westbrook

By Tom Silverstein of the Journal Sentinel

April 12, 2010 5:22 p.m. |(4) Comments

The Green Bay Packers are exploring the possibility of adding former Philadelphia Eagles running back Brian Westbrook to their already potent offense.

Though it’s unclear whether the Packers are serious enough to sign the 30-year-old veteran free agent, two sources said Monday that the club definitely has shown interest in him. Westbrook became a free agent when the Eagles released him Feb. 23.,

Westbrook has taken a lot of hits over his eight-year career and last year missed eight games due to a pair of concussions. There was some speculation that he would retire after the Eagles released him, but he appears determined to play again and wants to show people rumors of him being finished aren’t true.

If the Packers signed Westbrook, it would probably be to fill the role veteran Ahman Green did the second half of last season. Westbrook is an outstanding receiver and often lined up in the slot in Eagles coach Andy Reid’s offense, taking advantage of match-ups with slower linebackers.

Last year, Westbrook carried 61 times for 274 yards (4.5-yard average) and a touchdown and caught 25 passes for 181 yards and a touchdown. Projected over 16 games, those numbers would have been far below his 936 yards and nine touchdowns rushing and 54 catches for 402 yards and five touchdowns in 2008.

Despite the decline in his numbers, Westbrook played well enough to remain the starter in Philadelphia last year, although rookie LeSean McCoy started emerging for the Eagles early in the season. It's possible Westbrook would benefit from playing a more limited role somewhere else.

If healthy, Westbrook could provide coach Mike McCarthy with the effective third-down back he has lacked in recent years. Brandon Jackson was an outstanding blocker on third downs last year, but he was not a factor as a receiver or runner. Starter Ryan Grant has expressed an interest in playing more on third downs, and if he does, he probably would need his backup to handle some of the work on other downs.

McCarthy could also use the two backs together in order to create favorable match-ups. Westbrook played numerous positions in Reid's offense and was a threat to run or catch the ball on third downs. At 5-10, 203 pounds, his combination of size and speed made him difficult to bring down.

Much has been made of the concussions Westbrook suffered last year, the first when his helmet collided with the knee of Washington linebacker London Fletcher. The second forced him to miss the last five regular-season games.

But he was cleared for the playoffs and ankle and knee injuries suffered over the years might be what most interested teams want to examine most.

If the Packers signed Westbrook, they probably would want it to be a short-term deal with incentives that would pump up the value if he has a good year. Westbrook, however, made $5.85 million last year and was scheduled to make more than $7 million this year before the Eagles cut him and may be willing to sit out until he gets the deal he wants.

[RiotPunch]

Westbrook has definitely still "got it" as far as talent on the field. His concussion history worries me, but I would be all for gambling on him, would be a great addition to our offense and for our playoff/SB push.

[Turk Nowitzki]

I would rather pick a back in the draft but if TT decides against that I would be ok adding Westbrook in a backup role.

[crkone]

I don't know about this. I had Westbrook on my fantasy team and he killed me last year.

Also he would need to pick up blitzes on 3rd down and with his history that might not be a good idea.

[El Duderino]

I'd be all for it if Westbrook came pretty cheap. He has great hands out of the backfield and his legs aren't shot like LT. He averaged 4.5 yards per carry last season. With all the focus defenses would need to put on our WR core and Finley, getting Westbrook out on some screens could lead to some big plays and chain moving first downs.

[Marley2Hendrix]

El Duderino nailed it, it's all about having a decent back that can make something out of a screen pass and swing plays. Westbrook could make for a lethal 3rd down back when we have Driver, jennings, and finley split out.

[PkrsBcksGphsMqt]

I'd be in favor this as long as it's a short term/cheap deal. It's just encouraging that we are looking at a good pass catching RB, even if we don't sign Westbrook we will probably look to address that need in the draft.

This move would probably be pretty popular to the casual fan that always wants TT to sign a big name in free agency.

[aaprigs311]

I'd be suprised if he could even pass a physical at this stage. His knees are worse than his head if that's at all possible. I've always liked the guy, but I wouldn't give him anything more than what we gave Ahman.

[El Duderino]

I'd be suprised if he could even pass a physical at this stage. His knees are worse than his head if that's at all possible.I've always liked the guy, but I wouldn't give him anything more than what we gave Ahman.

Before the concussions limited Westbrook to only 8 games last year, the previous three seasons he played in 44 of 48 games. Last year he averaged 4.5 yards per carry, it's not like he was limping around with no speed or cutting ability left.

Plus, if he was signed by us, Westbrook would would have a much more limited role. A few catches a game and a few carries to rest Grant. It's not like he'd be asked to touch the ball 300 times.

That said, i'd assume Ted would wait until after the draft before making any offer in case he drafts a back in the first three-four rounds.

[LUKE23]

I'd sign him. We need a receiving back that can actually be a playmaker. If you had him, Jennings, Driver, Finley on passing downs, we'd be even tougher to scheme against than we already are.

[Balls2TheWalls]

Westbrook is something we haven't had in years: a receiving threat out of the backfield. He is a playmaker, and does not look like he has lost a ton of speed. He is an injury concern, but I think that we have the money, and the niche for him to be very effective in our offense.

[LeopoldStotch]

If you can get him at a price on a 1-year deal (and I can't see TT doing it any other way), it's probably a good gamble. I assumed he was done with the concussions, but if his health checks out, I think he'd flourish in a more limited role that would lessen the wear and tear on his aging body. His experience and high character would be a big boost in the locker room as well.

He'd be a beast on screens and playing in the slot on some passing downs. And if he goes down, we've still got Jackson to step in and we could probably bring Ahman back again if it comes to that. Westbrook is definitely an upgrade over Ahman though, and I thought he was decent last year.

It's still a little odd to me how the Eagles cut ties with him so quickly. It seems like they could've kept him as a backup if he has something left.

[Newz]

Was, IMO, the best all around running back in the NFL when he was healthy.

He was well above average at just about everything you needed a running back to do. He could run, block, receive... He could even go out and play some WR. One of my favorite players to watch.

If we can add him on a short, cheap type deal... I would be all for it. If he can stay healthy, it would only make our already excellent offense even better.

[LarryHarris]

If we can add him on a short, cheap type deal... I would be all for it. If he can stay healthy, it would only make our already excellent offense even better.

It is all about price. Unless Westbrook's agent is uncharacteristically realistic (for an agent), I believe he is probably telling Westbrook that he can get good money during this uncapped year. TT won't budge if it isn't for the right price, so I guess we'll see how this plays out, but I'd love to see Westbrook in the green and gold.

[TheMadMongoose]

I would love to have him for screen passes and a catching option out of the back field. Westbrook could be a great life line to Rodgers if our line gets beat to hell again this next season.

[Ill-yasova]

I know I am in the minority but I am still a big fan of Brandon Jackson's potential. He showed late in the season that when he get the ball on a screen he can make a big gain and he averaged 5.5 ypc two years ago.

I think you can get the same production out of Jackson that you could out of Westbrook without paying for a "name" guy.

[El Duderino]

I know I am in the minority but I am still a big fan of Brandon Jackson's potential. He showed late in the season that when he get the ball on a screen he can make a big gain and he averaged 5.5 ypc two years ago.

I think you can get the same production out of Jackson that you could out of Westbrook without paying for a "name" guy.

If Jackson outplayed Westbrook, he'd get more PT. Either way, depth would be better and it's not like Ted would give Westbrook a ton of cash even if he did sign the guy. Plus, it's an uncapped year anyways. I see no downside to it, but i'd wait first until after the draft in case a quality back was there for the taking.

[Wiscfan92]

The biggest risk I see in him is his health really. I'm on the sign him for cheap deal wagon, nothing excesive please and no more than a 2 year contract would be fine with me. Jackson is okay, but I'd much rather have a healthy Westbrook catching passes and occasionally running. Maybe we can give him the worlds sturdiest helmet so he doesn't get concussed every other hit.

[eagle13]

Welcome to the Packers Brian!

Very glad to have you.

[LUKE23]

Welcome to the Packers Brian!

Very glad to have you.

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