This could suck for Westbrook owners.....

[wbgrafix]

I'd be more worried about Shawn Andrews' injury than Hunt.

[ironman]

I tend to grab Westbrook in my money league that counts receptions. I think he'll be fine.

[Dan Lambskin]

I'm really not looking to draft Westbrook where he's going (late 1st) unless it's a PPR league. With the way the Eagles operate, he probably had his career year last year. It's hard to match 11 scores as a RB unless you are getting cracks at the goalline. 11 TDs matches career high. Rushing yards were by far a career high. Career high in receptions and almost match career high in receiving yards. He was used to just about his maximum last year. Now he jumps all the way up to the 1st round.

i hear what your saying but he's usually good for 100+ combined yards every week...the TD's might drop but the week to week consistency is there

[CT Smash]

I think he'll be fine, even without reaching his last year's numbers, I would move him (along with Bush) up to mid 1st round in PPR. Anyone else agree?

[maddog60]

I'm really not looking to draft Westbrook where he's going (late 1st) unless it's a PPR league. With the way the Eagles operate, he probably had his career year last year. It's hard to match 11 scores as a RB unless you are getting cracks at the goalline. 11 TDs matches career high. Rushing yards were by far a career high. Career high in receptions and almost match career high in receiving yards. He was used to just about his maximum last year. Now he jumps all the way up to the 1st round.

Ok, I've been hearing more and more lately of this career year stuff. Do people actually look at PPG anymore? Westbrook has been the starter for 3 years in Philly. Here's a breakdown of those years:

2004
- PPG: 21.4 in PPR, 15.8 non-PPR
- missed 3 games, 1 due to injury, 2 because Reid held starters out final 2 games
- no key injuries to the offense

2005
- PPG: 18.8 in PPR, 13.8 non-PPR
- missed 4 games due to being placed on IR
- McNabb, TO, 3 of 5 starters on the o-line all out for a good portion of the season

2006
- PPG: 22.3 in PPR, 17.2 non-PPR
- missed 1 game due to injury
- McNabb out 6 games

Maybe the argument can be made in non-PPR leagues, but how can people claim Westbrook had a career year in terms of his productiveness? His points per game were much closer to his first year as the featured RB, and the year in between, the offense was decimated with injuries prior to Westbrook's season ending, and anyone watching those games can tell you the blocking was pathetic. If anything, its more reasonable to expect no less than 20-21 ppg from Westbrook in a PPR, 15-16 in a non-PPR.

As for the TDs, he reached the 11 TDs in a year mark before, while splitting time 3 ways with Duce Staley and Correll Buckhalter. So, I'd say he's shown his TD potential as the featured guy can go much higher. Also, his TD per game average was very close (%4 off) in the 2004 campaign from last year's and that RBBC year's. I wouldnt argue TDs are fluky, so who knows, he might only get 4-6 this year, but its not hard looking at his past to expect about 10 TDs if he plays almost a full season (14-15 games).

Injury concerns are quite valid, but he's produced very close to last year's numbers before, and they're more the norm off of the current history available on him than his 2005 numbers are.

[Jimboozie]

Ok, I've been hearing more and more lately of this career year stuff. Do people actually look at PPG anymore?

Maybe they're just looking at the overall season ranks (top 6 year for Westy) and don't watch Westy on Sundays. He's one of the best and certainly one of the most, if not THE most versatile running backs in the entire NFL. Forget McNabb, Westbrook IS the Eagle's offensive centerpiece.

[buffalobillsrul2002]

Westbrook's a great NFL back, no doubt about it.... really. Problem is, for fantasy he doesn't get the easy TD (inside the RZ) so it's difficult to count on him for 10-15 TD a year. You're betting on his big play potential for TDs. Also, a guy who hasn't always played all 16 games (and is small) is a little bit risky in the first round of a fantasy draft (hence bumping his value from say top 5 to top 10).

[mikus]

Tony Hunt scored two short-yardage TDs for the Eagles tonight ... not sure if Westy was in the game at the time, but that surely is not a good sign for his touches near the goal line this season, me thinks.

[Poplar Creek]

First off you are putting way too much stock in an exhibition game played in mid-August, are you as worried that McNabb got pulled from the game? Secondly, Hunt had six carries for only seven yards.

[joelamosobadiah]

Ok, I've been hearing more and more lately of this career year stuff. Do people actually look at PPG anymore?

Maybe they're just looking at the overall season ranks (top 6 year for Westy) and don't watch Westy on Sundays. He's one of the best and certainly one of the most, if not THE most versatile running backs in the entire NFL. Forget McNabb, Westbrook IS the Eagle's offensive centerpiece.

I agree completely. And if you have two Cowboys fans agreeing about Westy's value then you better listen up.