Brian Westbrook Meeting with Redskins on Wednesday

I don't think anyone to include M.Shanahan will be upset over not getting him, I just think M.Shanahan looks at the player and how they can benifit the team. Brian Westbrook would not be able to be the every down back and be productive the whole season. Plus his 2 concussions make him even more suseptible to getting another more easily. So I don't think Shanahan is looking for him to come in and take over. I think Shanahan is looking at it as Westbrook would be just one more added weapon to utilize. If the running game is not breaking open he could send in Westbrook and start finding ways to open up the defense. Force other teams to have to cover him taking another defender out of the box. If it's only on 3rd down so be it, but I doubt Westbrook would be only used on 3rd down considering Shanahan might want to use him on 1st down just to throw off the defense.

Basically how much he plays depends on what wrinkles Shanahan wants to throw at any given team. Westbrook just enable another boat load of plays to be used or added to the mix.

I don't think anyone to include M.Shanahan will be upset over not getting him, I just think M.Shanahan looks at the player and how they can benifit the team. Brian Westbrook would not be able to be the every down back and be productive the whole season. Plus his 2 concussions make him even more suseptible to getting another more easily. So I don't think Shanahan is looking for him to come in and take over. I think Shanahan is looking at it as Westbrook would be just one more added weapon to utilize. If the running game is not breaking open he could send in Westbrook and start finding ways to open up the defense. Force other teams to have to cover him taking another defender out of the box. If it's only on 3rd down so be it, but I doubt Westbrook would be only used on 3rd down considering Shanahan might want to use him on 1st down just to throw off the defense.

Basically how much he plays depends on what wrinkles Shanahan wants to throw at any given team. Westbrook just enable another boat load of plays to be used or added to the mix.

I agree, packages could be created to shake things up with Westbrooks differentiated talents...nice call....this is exactly why Westbrook would be better than Parker....parker just doesn't shake up how a defense would play us.

so we offered him a deal?

All this is good, but what I really want to know is how does TO fit in? ;)

How about we sign these washed up veterans and go 6-10 and play like crap!!! Isnt that more realistic???

How about we sign these washed up veterans and go 6-10 and play like crap!!! Isnt that more realistic???

Sadly, that would still be a two game improvement :doh: and would give the whole team a time to shake out and get another draft under the FO's belt. I don't see that happening tho'. We might go as low as 8-8, but I guarantee we will be competitive in every game except maybe the Indianapolis game, I don't think our D will be comfortable enough at that point to handle Peyton's offense (could he please retire LOL)

so we offered him a deal?

Redskins Insider - Shanahan: Skins have made offer to Brian Westbrook (http://voices.washingtonpost.com/redskinsinsider/albert-haynesworth/shanahan-skins-want-westbrook.html?wprss=redskinsinsider)


Redskins Coach Mike Shanahan made his most emphatic public overtures to free agent running back Brian Westbrook Wednesday, saying Washington has made Westbrook an official offer to join a full stable of running backs that already includes veterans Clinton Portis, Larry Johnson and Willie Parker.

Asked after Wednesday's offseason workout session if he had heard from Westbrook or his agent, Shanahan told the assembled media, "No, but if you guys hear anything, just tell him that we're ready.

"We want him to sign with us," Shanahan said. "Like I said, it could be some great competition. I really like Brian, what he's done and how he's handled himself. I'm sure he's weighing some options. It's not too far away from home. Any more I can do?"

Shanahan was reminded that Westbrook's younger brother Byron plays cornerback for the Redskins. "I've played that card already," Shanahan said.

Westbrook, 30, played his entire eight-year career with the Philadelphia Eagles before he was released this offseason. He is coming off two concussions that limited him to eight games and 274 yards rushing--his lowest output since his rookie season of 2002. St. Louis also has shown interest in Westbrook.

Westbrook's quarterback in Philadelphia was new Redskins signal caller Donovan McNabb. Though McNabb emphasized Wednesday that he has no say in personnel decisions in Washington, he said he speaks with his former -- and perhaps future -- teammate regularly.

"It's not just pertaining to football," McNabb said. "I just want the guy to have an opportunity to continue on what he started and prove the critics wrong that he can still play. If it's here or anywhere else, that would be his decision and for the people upstairs. For me, I'm just trying to get my feet settled and get this thing in the right direction."

Hmmm.. I just remember the Eagles with Westbrook in recent years, and they just *couldn't* run on third down (or fourth down). Sure, Westbrook is a great pass-catcher, but then wouldn't opposing defenses know the team will pass if WB goes in?

I guess the theory is:
- 3rd down and 3 -- put LJ in and try to use the power back...
- 3rd down and 10 -- put Westbrook in there to use RB as a catching threat..

So:
1st down - Clinton Portis
2nd down - Willie Parker (if he's still there)
3rd down - LJ (short yardage) or WB (passing situations)

Still think it'd have been better to get some young RB to develop instead of reworking the entire RB corps next year about this time..

^ I'm not so sure about Parker. I guessing if Portis does what Shanahan wants him to do then Portis will be the main RB otherwise he could be gone. But as it seems now he is doing what Shanahan wants.

I get the impression LJ will be the big RB on short yrdge.

I think it's obvious Westbrook would be used for passing downs and as you said other teams would key on that unless of course they choose to use a 2 back system say Portis and Westbrook.... have them run to opposite sides and defenses would have to account for either Portis running or Westbrook catching out of the back field.

Basically Westbrook just adds another wrinkle for defenses to have to account for. I also wonder if Shanahan would decide to use certain RB's against certain teams based on the other teams weaknesses. Portis might be the main RB in one game but Parker might be the main RB in another. Westbrook another and finally LJ perhaps against teams with strong DL's.

can't wait for all out practices to see who reads and cuts best

can't wait for all out practices to see who reads and cuts best

Agree, the season can't start fast enough for me.

HTTR.