Pats get some respect from a Philly writer

[NE39]

Pretty good summary from John Smallwood of the Philadelphia Daily News:

Tonight at Lincoln Financial Field, the Eagles - the team that president Joe Banner said has the "best roster" in the NFL - will play the New England Patriots, the team that actually has the best roster in the NFL.

 

[363839]

That was a cool read. Thanks for the link.
One thing I disagree with the writer.
Westbrook over the Pats runners.
Doesn't most of Westbrooks yardage accumulation come from
out of the backfield catches. I mean, I don't think he can bust through a
line of scrimmage like our guys though he is an awesome play maker and dangerous, I just don't think his north/south running is better than the Pats runners.

 

[reflexblue]

That was a cool read. Thanks for the link.
One thing I disagree with the writer.
Westbrook over the Pats runners.
Doesn't most of Westbrooks yardage accumulation come from
out of the backfield catches. I mean, I don't think he can bust through a
line of scrimmage like our guys though he is an awesome play maker and dangerous, I just don't think his north/south running is better than the Pats runners.

I thought the same thing Brian Westbrook is better than Taylor, Morris and Maroney

 

[PatsFanSince74]

Nice piece. Thanks. Great sports towns deserve great sports writers.

On the running game debate, the Pats backfield is so different this year that we really won't know until five or six games into the season what we have. No doubt the combination will be strong and good; how strong and how good, that's the question. It could be off the charts, IMO.

 

[Rob0729]

It is hard to argue that the Pats don't have the best roster in the NFL. This is a throwback to the Super Bowl year teams in that it has to be the deepest team in the NFL. You look at d-line, CB, WR, o-line, and RB and the several of the players who will be cut have a good chance of getting picked up by another team and actually make some kind of impact (maybe not a starter, but at least as a role player).

 

[Funktopus]

I thought the same thing Brian Westbrook is better than Taylor, Morris and Maroney

Westbrook is probably better than Taylor, Morris or Moroney individually. The problem with him is his inability to contribute to an entire season of football without getting hurt. In that respect, the Pats depth definitely has an advantage. So, I think it would be fair to say that for a full season Westbrook is not better than Taylor, Morris and Moroney as a group.

 

[patchick]

Doesn't most of Westbrooks yardage accumulation come from
out of the backfield catches. I mean, I don't think he can bust through a
line of scrimmage like our guys though he is an awesome play maker and dangerous, I just don't think his north/south running is better than the Pats runners.

Westbrook is a terrific talent, but I'll take the total Pats total backfield easily. In fact, want to see something impressive? Here are 2008 stats. Line 1 is the big star Westbrook, Line 2 is Sammy Morris + Kevin Faulk combined.

ATT YDS AVG LNG | REC YDS AVG LNG
233 936 4.0 39 | 52 402 7.4 47
239 1234 5.2 41 | 75 647 8.6 42

Yep, the tandem of Morris & Faulk blew away Westbrook -- without Brady under center. Then consider that the Eagles' "other" RBs are LeSean McCoy, Lorenzo Booker, and Eldra Buckley. The Patriots' "other" RBs are Fred Taylor and Laurence Maroney. Advantage Patriots, wouldn't you say?

 

[reflexblue]

I have never thought of Westbrook as a number one back ala Curtis Martin. I think of him more like Kevin Faulk, someone who can run, but gets most of their yards catching the ball out of the backfield.

 

[RobertWeathers]

Westbrook is probably better than Taylor, Morris or Moroney individually. The problem with him is his inability to contribute to an entire season of football without getting hurt. In that respect, the Pats depth definitely has an advantage. So, I think it would be fair to say that for a full season Westbrook is not better than Taylor, Morris and Moroney as a group.

I pretty much agree and think you are right overall. However, since 2004, he has started 67 (played in 69) out of a possible 80 games and has been incredibly productive IMO hes been a little more durable that what maybe the perception is. But yea, hes 200 lbs, turn 30 in Sept. and is coming off ankle surgery.

Pats blow the Eagles out of the water in the depth dept.

 

[363839]

Westbrook is a terrific talent, but I'll take the total Pats total backfield easily. In fact, want to see something impressive? Here are 2008 stats. Line 1 is the big star Westbrook, Line 2 is Sammy Morris + Kevin Faulk combined.

ATT YDS AVG LNG | REC YDS AVG LNG
233 936 4.0 39 | 52 402 7.4 47
239 1234 5.2 41 | 75 647 8.6 42

Yep, the tandem of Morris & Faulk blew away Westbrook -- without Brady under center. Then consider that the Eagles' "other" RBs are LeSean McCoy, Lorenzo Booker, and Eldra Buckley. The Patriots' "other" RBs are Fred Taylor and Laurence Maroney. Advantage Patriots, wouldn't you say?

Great stat comparisons. Thanks for putting those together, Patschick.
This verifies what I suspected regarding the running part but I didn't expect the receiving yards to exceed Westbrooks'.
Is that from last year or 07?

And yes, I would say advantage Patriots with confidence now.

 

[SHOWTIME15]

i have nothing but respect for the Eagles. They are what the patriots are in the NFC - a consistent contender - except they have fallen short of the 3 super bowls we have. they are coached well and they draft well.

with that said, i don't think winning tonight really matters. i am more interested in how the starters play against their starters and how the new kids like chung, butler, wilhite, wheatley, etc. play.

 

[Funktopus]

I pretty much agree and think you are right overall. However, since 2004, he has started 67 (played in 69) out of a possible 80 games and has been incredibly productive IMO hes been a little more durable that what maybe the perception is. But yea, hes 200 lbs, turn 30 in Sept. and is coming off ankle surgery.

Pats blow the Eagles out of the water in the depth dept.

He plays hurt. I have a great deal of respect for him.

 

[HEY BRO! WHAT UP?]

I have never thought of Westbrook as a number one back ala Curtis Martin. I think of him more like Kevin Faulk, someone who can run, but gets most of their yards catching the ball out of the backfield.

Must of sucked watching Curtis Martin b**** slap the Pat twice a year with his time with the Jets. It took until 2003 until the Pats were finally able to keep Martin under control.

Of course, Westbrook is the best back from both teams, but he gets injured too much. I agree with everyone else, I don't know where this guy thinks Westbrook and McCoy are better than Morris, Faulk, Maroney and Taylor. In fact, I think the Pats can have the top rushing attack in the NFL.

 

[reflexblue]

Must of sucked watching Curtis Martin b**** slap the Pat twice a year with his time with the Jets. It took until 2003 until the Pats were finally able to keep Martin under control.

Of course, Westbrook is the best back from both teams, but he gets injured too much. I agree with everyone else, I don't know where this guy thinks Westbrook and McCoy are better than Morris, Faulk, Maroney and Taylor. In fact, I think the Pats can have the top rushing attack in the NFL.

Is 2003 the year Martin retired? i don't remember now. Anyways i don't know why i choose Martin as an example, i could have used Cory Dillon, A. Peterson, or LT.

But yeah Martin was a pain in the azz.

 

[VJCPatriot]

Westbrook is a terrific talent, but I'll take the total Pats total backfield easily. In fact, want to see something impressive? Here are 2008 stats. Line 1 is the big star Westbrook, Line 2 is Sammy Morris + Kevin Faulk combined.

ATT YDS AVG LNG | REC YDS AVG LNG
233 936 4.0 39 | 52 402 7.4 47
239 1234 5.2 41 | 75 647 8.6 42

Yep, the tandem of Morris & Faulk blew away Westbrook -- without Brady under center. Then consider that the Eagles' "other" RBs are LeSean McCoy, Lorenzo Booker, and Eldra Buckley. The Patriots' "other" RBs are Fred Taylor and Laurence Maroney. Advantage Patriots, wouldn't you say?

I think that Lesean McCoy could surprise. He was one of the most talented college RBs at Pitt. Yeah he's a bit smallish but so is former WVU star Steve Slaton, and last I heard he was tearing it up with the Texans.

I think because of Westbrook's injury concerns, yeah faulk+morris are better but to be fair the Pats have their own injury concerns with morris and maroney. I think Fred Taylor is the guy who puts the Pats over the top.

Taylor is going to be real steady for us and that's what this team needs, a solid runninggame to fall back on so that Brady doesn't have to line up in the shotgun for 75% of the snaps like in 2007. Don't get me wrong, that was really fun to watch, but it might not have been the best for Brady's long term health.

 

[HEY BRO! WHAT UP?]

Is 2003 the year Martin retired? i don't remember now. Anyways i don't know why i choose Martin as an example, i could have used Cory Dillon, A. Peterson, or LT.

But yeah Martin was a pain in the azz.

No, I believe his last year was in 2005. Also, Martin led the league in rushing in 2004. Martin was always regarded as one the best backs in the league.

How was he a pain in the azz?

 

[Ochmed Jones]

I think that Lesean McCoy could surprise. He was one of the most talented college RBs at Pitt. Yeah he's a bit smallish but so is former WVU star Steve Slaton, and last I heard he was tearing it up with the Texans.

I think because of Westbrook's injury concerns, yeah faulk+morris are better but to be fair the Pats have their own injury concerns with morris and maroney. I think Fred Taylor is the guy who puts the Pats over the top.

Taylor is going to be real steady for us and that's what this team needs, a solid runninggame to fall back on so that Brady doesn't have to line up in the shotgun for 75% of the snaps like in 2007. Don't get me wrong, that was really fun to watch, but it might not have been the best for Brady's long term health.

I consider Westbrook to be a true NFL Playmaker. Any time he touches the ball, he is a threat and I think Philly is very creative in ways to get him the ball.

I think McCoy was the best back in college last season. He is a stud RB with great vision and a little wiggle to boot. If he learns to catch the ball and if he has the heart/guts to stick his head in there and block, then he will be very special indeed.