Close Call #1: Steven Jackson vs Brian Westbrook

[Coachnorm]

Westbrook will have surgery to clean up bone spurs in his right ankle, ESPN.com reports. So no sprain technically.

 

[eaglechick]

i've been looking, and i can't find any mention of the high-ankle sprain, just a sore ankle. in which case, if it's just the bone spurs, this doesn't bother me. as coach explained, this is a pretty minor procedure and he should be fine. remember like burress, westy hasn't practiced for years lol.

anyway, i'll be happy to grab westy at a lower adp :grin:

 

[Miller]

I'm with you EC, this doesn't bother me too much....I don't think anything higher or lower of hiim due to this news.

 

[Phicinfan]

Hold the presses and cover your ears EC>.................

Report: Westbrook is out until regular season at the earliest

Comcast Sportsnet in Philadelphia reports that Brian Westbrook has a high ankle sprain and will be sidelined until Week 1, at the earliest.

The report adds that Westbrook may need ankle clean-out surgery, which could cost him even more time. Westbrook had problems with the same ankle last year. He also needed arthroscopic knee surgery this winter and turns 30 before Week 1, making him a serious candidate for breakdown. Assuming it hasn't already happened. Westbrook averaged just 2.9 yards per carry in the Eagles' last six games. He's going to be someone to avoid in fantasy drafts. Jun. 3 - 5:43 pm et
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This is cut and pasted from FFT.

Three other sources have him back at or around camp. Again, this is just a clean up...and the key is...he played the whole year LAST year with it...so I think this is still not a major issue.

**edit to add** However, I am doing the happy dance now...as since I draft later in rounds...his ADP will only drop...which means I have a much better shot at getting him!!!! :woohoo1:

 

[Remote Controller]

Even with this news I wouldn't take SJax over him. I agree with all above. This is just a nice way to rest their money maker. My stake in McNabb is just fine!

 

[Remote Controller]

• -- Lorenzo Booker & LeSean McCoy Fill in for Westbrook --
  Fri Jun 5, 2009 --from FFMastermind.com​
• The Philadelphia Daily News reports with Eagles star RB Brian Westbrook scheduled for surgery in Baltimore today, all eyes were focused on his backups at yesterday's full-team voluntary workouts. RB Lorenzo Booker, who touched the ball 26 times in 10 games last season, seemed comfortable getting the lion's share of snaps with the first unit during voluntary organized team activities. "I'm not trying to learn anything now," said Booker, entering his third season in the NFL and his second with the Eagles. "I'm trying to fine-tune what I already know." That's not true for second-round draft pick RB LeSean McCoy. Understandably, McCoy seemed lost at times, operating at perhaps 70 percent of full speed as he tried to implement what he has learned since he was drafted in April. "My head's spinning with this offense," McCoy said. Neither expects Westbrook to miss a regular-season game during the upcoming season after Dr. Mark Myerson cleans out Westbrook's right ankle, which he sprained in Week 3 last season. Even with some big-name veterans unsigned – RB Edgerrin James, RB J.J. Arrington, RB Warrick Dunn - Booker said with his knowledge of the offense, he feared none of them would be able to take what he considers to be his job until Westbrook returns. He also acknowledged that Westbrook's absence, especially since it likely will cost Westbrook preseason action, would afford Booker a chance to further show Eagles coaches his value, despite his size (he's generously listed at 5-10, 191 pounds). As for McCoy, he got instruction after almost every play, especially the plays on which he ran a route. He appeared to miss a blitz-pickup assignment and was immediately counseled by OC Marty Mornhinweg, then running backs coach Ted Williams. He lined up incorrectly after the team broke the huddle and was corrected by QB A.J. Feeley. It took him three moves to shed LB Tracy White in one-on-one drills. The day for McCoy was not all struggles. He snagged a bullet from QB Donovan McNabb in the middle and elicited this comment from receivers coach David Culley: "Ah! Nice hands!" Earlier, snaring a screen pass, McCoy darted downfield behind two blockers. HC Andy Reid awaited him 30 yards downfield, called him over, and congratulated him on correctly turning upfield immediately, a fix from an error made earlier in camp. If Westbrook were healthy, McCoy said, he might not have such an accelerated learning curve.
  

 

[Remote Controller]

Eagles | McCoy should be OK Fri Jun 5, 03:49 PM
Updating previous reports, Philadelphia Eagles head athletic trainer Rick Burkholder said rookie RB LeSean McCoy (thumb) fell on his thumb after catching a pass and sprained it. X-rays were negative and he has a chance to return to practice next week if everything goes well over the weekend.

 

[ExperiencedRookie]

Sounds like training camp has been up and down for McCoy.

He appears to have the physical skills to get it done, but is struggling in his learning.

 

[Little Big Head]

Sjax by a mile for me at this point. Even before the news about Westbrooks surgery which might not change the opinion for many people since he is supposed to be back for week1, I liked Sjax better. They both have been injury prone the last couple of seasons, even though Westbrook has certainly played more games than Sjax. Jackson was a hold out for much of the summer last season and I think that may have led to some injury issues. I just have a feeling that Sjax bounces back this year. Not much of a compelling argument I know

 

[Little Big Head]

Sounds like training camp has been up and down for McCoy.

He appears to have the physical skills to get it done, but is struggling in his learning.

keep an eye on Leonard Weaver. I love his skill set for the Philly offense, and thought he was grossly under utilized in Seattle

 

[Remote Controller]

NFL Network just showed a stat where Jackson led all Rb's the last 3 years in ypg at 125 yards. He was followed by Westbrook with 121 yards, then LT with 119 yards, then ADP at 116 yards. I was shocked. They did add that he had never played in all 16 games.

 

[Remote Controller]

Stephen Jackson Credits New Coaches
June 6, 2009, 12:59pm

St Louis Post-Dispatch - [Full Article]
Steven Jackson credits new coaches with helping him become stronger and having a better grasp of route running that he will need in the Rams new West Coast attack. Working out with new strength coach Rock Gullickson has Jackson saying that he is "definitely stronger now", which will be key since the injury-prone back will once again be asked to carry the Rams offense. RB coach Sylvester Croom has helped S-Jax in his goal to be a "complete running back", which means he could see a rise in receptions this season.

 

[RZR]

I really favor Westbook but he isn't just nursing a bruised thumb, like McCoy, he was wheeled out of his 2nd surgery (of the off season) last week to repair his knee and once again he's reporting problems in his 2007 injured right ankle. He's the best offensive weapon on his team and his opponents know it! His division is arguably the one of the toughest in the league and the D's focus heavily on trying to stop #36. Coupled with the fact that the Eagles Bye week is W4...he's not going to get a chance to rest when he's going to need it most. I see WB playing in 2009 like LT did in '08 - conservatively.

On the other hand, Jackson knows his team has room to improve and he's made it his off season mission to increase his YAC and even work on his downfield receiving skills just to shake things up a bit for their offense. However, the Rams & Fans are getting pretty worked up over rumors of a move back to LA and possible being put up for sale period.

Despite the home field earthquake chatter, I'd have to go with Jax over WB. Mainly due to WB's injuries. All things being equal for these two, WB would have my vote.

 

[WigSplitters]

S. Jax